Slaying the Assessment Dragon: One Department’s Efforts to Tame the Beast and Survive as the Knights in Shining Armor

Assessment looms large across our campuses as an instrument of evaluation, accountability, and development. Communication departments are called on to establish assessment programs for their graduate and undergraduate curriculum programs. Additionally, departments that offer courses in the general education programs are often the first departments approached for assessment of those courses as part of general education assessment. This case study describes the successes and challenges of a communication department’s experience in establishing and maintaining a general education assessment program of their Basic Oral Communication course. Preliminary data and analysis is included in reporting the outcome of these efforts

Training and Development

Training and development are processes that lead to change in individual organizational members for the primary benefit of the organization. These processes are distinct from consulting, which helps decision makers arrive at those same goals. Training and development as well as consulting are functions for communication specialists. In this entry, the major dimensions are described. Needs assessment, technology and training, approaches to training, evaluation of training programs, and adult learning and professional development are addressed. Training as a career in organizational communication is described