The article discusses the need for communication instructors to prepare students to effectively use communication technologies. It proposes teaching students about new technologies, how to use them, and when each is appropriate. The approach involves exposing students to technologies through in-class exercises and assignments requiring technology use. Students are also encouraged to use campus resources to learn technologies. Evaluating this approach found it effective for preparing students for a workplace increasingly reliant on communication technologies.

1. UTILIZING TECHNOLOGY
AS A FORM OF By:
COMMUNICATION: Glenda Cecil
MEETING THE CHALLENGE OF
PREPARING STUDENTS TO EFFECTIVELY
CHOOSE AND USE COMMUNICATION
TECHNOLOGIES

2. INTRODUCTION
It's no surprise that technology has become the source for
communication. Now, more so than ever before, computer
devices such as smartphones, iPads, iPods, etc. are the
channels used to communicate. Technology has become
increasingly available to assist in the operation of the
organization and businesses are likewise stepping it up and
transforming their communicative techniques. As a
result, employees, current and future, are having to increase
their skill level in order to keep up. This article addresses
the need for instructors to effectively educate students on
technology, how to use devices, and when it is appropriate.

3. PURPOSE
The purpose of this article is to give
communication instructors practical
approaches to best prepare their students for
their future work environment; specifically,
as to when and how
to use communication
technologies effectively.

4. THEORY & METHODOLOGY
Preparing students for their future work environments can be
done by using engaged learning teaching methodologies that
of fer a practical approach for meeting this challenge .
Using instructional & integration approaches...
 Students were exposed to a series of in -class and online
exercises.
 Students were either required or strongly encouraged to use a
wide range of communication technologies while completing
class assignments.
 Students were encouraged to use campus resources for
technology training.

5. TRANSFORMATION OF COMMUNICATION
TECHNOLOGY
This illustrates the change in organizational technology in just the
last ten years.

6. DATA: INSTRUCTIONAL APPROACH
The instructional approach can be summed up in three
words- what, how, and when.
What… challenges instructors to keep their students
current on communication technologies.
How… challenges them to teach their students how to use
communication technologies effectively, in part by
modeling behavior.
When… challenges instructors to inform their students as
to when each of the technologies is the best choice for a
given situation and/or setting.

7. INSTRUCTION: TEAM PROJECT
Students were assigned directly to a semester -long team project.
 Planning phase
 Research phase
 Drafting/Editing phase
 Presentation phase
Each technology was introduced and discussed near the time when
it would best support the related phase of the team project. For
example, immediately before the initial phase of the
project, technologies that supported planning, organizing, and
outlining projects were introduced.
Also, during the research phase They were encouraged
to use databases and search engines to conduct a portion of their
research such as OneNote which helps with storing and organizing
information.

8. DATA: INTEGRATION APPROACH
The integration approach is supported by engaged learning
instruction.
 Students participated in hands -on activities in class that
teach them how to match appropriate business
communication technologies with various situations and
tasks.
 Students are also required to use several communication
technologies to complete class projects and encouraged to
use a number of others as time allows.
 Encouraging students to use technologies not required is one
way of further preparing them for future classes
internships, and the professional workplace.

9. FINDINGS:
TA BLE 1 . P OT E N T IAL BA RRI E RS TO I N T E G RATION OF
C OM M UNI CATION T E C H N OLOGY
Barriers Teacher Related School Related
Lack of time X
Lack of confidence X
Negative attitudes X
Resistance to change X
Lack of access to resources X
Lack of effective technology X
training
Lack of training in solving X
technical problems
Insufficient numbers of X
copies of software
Insufficient number of X
computers, smart boards

10. CONCLUSION
While this is not the only approach to educating students
on communication technology, it has been proven
effective. It does offer ideas to instructors who may be
struggling with finding practical ways to prepare their
students to use communication technologies. It is vital and
very much essential that students are being equipped to
handle the vast technology business organizations are
putting to use in order to keep up with the times.
Organizations are going to be looking for individuals with
the skills necessary to navigate the ever -changing
environment of technology as they make internal and
external changes as a result.

11. REFERENCES
Rober t, G. I. (2011). Meeting the challenge of preparing students to
ef fectively choose and use communication technologies. Journal of
Organizational Behavior Education : JOBE, 4, 109 -118. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/1015268635?accountid=11648
CNN. (201 2, March 27). Coolest inventions coming in 2012. Retrieved
November 30, 201 2, from CNNMoney:
http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2012/technology/1203/galler y.cool
est-tech-2012/2.html
Thompson, S. (201 2, May 25). 10 innovative ways businesses are
using the iPad. Retrieved November 30, 2012, from TechRepublic:
http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/tablets/10 -innovative-ways-
businesses-are-using-the-ipad/1489

12. QUESTIONS
1. How would you suggest educators keep their
students technologically current in a course that is
already filled with a number of other topics that
also need to be addressed?
2. In your opinion, is this an urgent issue? With the
rapid advancement of technology, should learning
about the subject be at the top of the list for
educators?