Assessing the Communication Skills Curricula of Air Force Professional Military Education Programs
Abstract
A perception exists among mid level career Air Force members that communication skills are important job skills for all ranks and that some individuals lack the necessary skills. The purpose of this research is to provide recommendations to improve the teaching of communication skills. The challenge of this study was meeting the expectations of the intended user, examining a complex, multidimensional issue in a real world setting, and integrating the values and experiences of the researchers and intended users. This effort applies a multi-dimensional methodology: (1) an extensive literature search, (2) a survey instrument, (3) key personnel interviews, and (4) archival records search. Careful analysis of the resulting data lead to numerous conclusions including: (1) communication skills instruction must be based on the needs of its users; (2) communication is a process and communication skills should be taught and evaluated accordingly; (3) communication skills instruction is more effective when based on the contextual needs of its students; (4) individual communication skills should be developed commensurate with professional growth; (5) communication skills instruction is more effective when taught as an across the curriculum approach; (6) although relatively less expertise is needed to evaluate communication skills, a great deal of expertise is required to teach communication skills. These conclusions lead to the following recommendations: (1) establish a tiger team to develop a communication skills assessment methodology to determine the needs of Air Force personnel; (2) integrate feedback to students throughout the communication process; (3) teach communication skills in a context-based format across the entire curriculum; and (4) place a high priority on increasing faculty training for teaching and evaluating communication skills.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA336098
Entities
People
- Deanna A. Paulk
- Edwin T. Parks
- Frank E. Jones
- Mark H. Jordan
- Stanley W. Shrader
Organizations
- Air Command and Staff College