Flexible Learning--Communication Skills...

Zelmer, A C Lynn (1999). "Communication Skills Using Legal, Ethical and Professional Issues", in Fallows, Stephen and Ahmet, Kemal (Eds) (1999). Inspiring Students: Case Studies in Motivating the Learner, Staff and Educational Development Series, London: Kogan Page, Chapter 11, pp 95-102

Editors' Introductory Remarks
This book is essentially a collection of case studies which focus on the issues surrounding the teaching of subjects for which the students concerned may have little intrinsic interest. The book has grown from our interest in, and action research concerning the teaching of science to students whose interests lie in the quite different disciplines centred around the built environment. Those of our students who plan to become architects or building surveyors view the sciences in a quite different manner than those whose primary academic interests lie within physics, chemistry or related disciplines. Since the students' view of the subject is 'non-standard- it has been necessary to adopt a similarly 'non-standard' approach to course delivery, thereby inspiring the students to maximize their learning.

Abstract
This chapter deals with the need to improve the communication skills of graduates. The example focuses on information technology (IT) graduates, for whom prospective employers have demanded improved communication capabilities. Although discussed here within the context of IT graduates, the issue is one faced in all disciplines.
The Human Issues in Computing (HIC) unit was developed because an existing communications unit was universally disliked by staff and students, and the IT industry demanded improved communication skills among IT graduates.
HIC successfully introduces communication and groupwork skills for on-campus and distance students in the context of the legal, ethical and professional issues common to the IT industry in which the students will be seeking employment.
The author describes how IT (with which his students are very familiar) can be utilized, support and enhance learning.

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