To discover what happens with written, oral, visual, and electronic communication during the sophomore academic year, 223 sophomore students from various disciplines in the university participated in an online survey in Spring 2005. One key finding from this survey was that “most communication areas have been significantly overlooked in the sophomore curriculum.”
In general, the survey indicated that sophomore students tend not to receive many opportunities to compose written papers, give oral presentations, work in small groups, integrate visual design into assignments, or receive instruction on electronic modes. Therefore, in Fall 2007, ISUComm began moving English 250 to the sophomore year to allow students to have an ongoing progression of communication experiences and opportunities.
Based upon student performance in the most recent assessments, ISUComm has developed a set of a quick communicator tips that are printed across from the table of contents in the Student Guide.