Based on linear models, this study demonstrated that the psychological and social structures of the classroom, viewed as a naturalistic human system, impact learning outcomes. To operationalize learning outcomes, final grades in the course and a subject self report scale tapping perceptions of utility of material taught were used. The social and psychological structures of the classroom-as-a-human-system were operationalized through the following variables: the degree of social integration of each student, based on network analytic procedures; communication apprehension of students; dimensions of perceived credibility of instructors; dimensions of interpersonal attraction to instructors; perceived satisfaction with task demands of the course; and adjusted orientation to communication, based on communication apprehension scores and network data. Data were obtained from five sections of a multi-section communication course of a large state institution of higher learning in the southwestern region of the United States. Differences in sex were not found.

The purposes of this study were to examine the oral communication skills considered important to specific companies, identify the objectives emphasized in the business and professional communication courses in Texas colleges and universities, ascertain how much course time is spent in various areas, and determine the communication needs of business and industry and the degree to which the communication departments of Texas colleges and universities are meeting those needs.

The problem with which this study is concerned is the development of a mathematical model and theory of teaching. The mathematical model consists of a set of abstract axioms. The fundamental elements or terms of the axioms are undefined. These primitive or undefined terms obtain their definitions only implicitly through the axioms.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of basic communication fidelity (BCF) upon the perceptions of national observers toward national and international communicators across a variety of group interaction variables. Research is presented which indicates that (1) international students are typically perceived less favorably than national students across a variety of interpersonal variables; (2) as BCF increases, more favorable ratings are attributed to communicators across interpersonal variables; and (3) increased BCF may be able to mitigate the less favorable impressions national observers attribute to international communicators.

The problem of this investigation was concerned with the effects that a computer-assisted and managed learning program had on the test outcomes of college students enrolled in a basic communication course. The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of participation in a computer-assisted and managed learning on the test outcomes of college students enrolled in a basic communication course. In order to facilitate the experiment, four hypotheses were formulated: 1. There will be significant differences in the posttest scores among the three groups. More specifically (a) the computer-assisted and managed learning (CAML) group will have significantly higher posttest scores than the teacher-assisted learning (TAL) group and the control group. 2. Computer apprehension will be significantly lower for students assigned to the CAML program, than students assigned to the TAL or control groups. 3. Computer complexity will be significantly lower for students assigned to the CAML group, than the students assigned to the TAL or control groups. 4. Computer utility will be significantly higher for students assigned to the CAML group, than students assigned to the TAL or control groups. Two experimental and one control group was used in the study. The experimental groups consisted of CAML (computer-assisted …

It was the purpose of this research, to develop and test an artificially intelligent, learner-based, computer-assisted physics tutor. The resulting expert system is named ARPHY, an acronym for ARtificially intelligent PHYsics tutor. The research was conducted in two phases. In the first phase of the research, the system was constructed using Ausubel's advance organizer as a guiding learning theory. The content of accelerated motion was encoded into this organizer after sub-classification according to the learning types identified by Gagnds. The measurement of the student's level of learning was accomplished through the development of questioning strategies based upon Bloom's taxonomy of educational objectives. The second phase of this research consisted of the testing of ARPHY. Volunteers from four levels of first-semester physics classes at North Texas State University were instructed that their goal was to solve three complex physics problems related to accelerated motion. The only students initially instructed by ARPHY were from the class of physics majors. When the threshold values of the pedagogical parameters stabilized, indicating the fact that ARPHY's instructional technique had adapted to the class' learning style, students from other classes were tutored. Nine of the ten students correctly solved the three problems after being tutored for …

The purposes of this study are to identify and describe the function and control of facial muscles as related to sound production on brasswind instruments, to explore electromyographic theory and techniques with particular regard to the function and control of facial muscles, to identify basic theories of embouchure among brasswind teachers and performers, to develop a theory of brasswind embouchure based upon the preceding factors, and to propose recommendations with regard to brasswind pedagogy. Existing theories of embouchure were investigated by reviewing the extensive brasswind pedagogical literature, and by interviewing teachers representing two widely differing views. Electromyographic kinesiology of facial muscles was investigated as follows: a description of facial muscles was formulated by collating anatomy books; related electromyographic literature was reviewed; eloctromyographic recordings of facial muscled during, the performance of various facial muscle tasks and during brasswind performance were made using indwelling fine-wire electrodes. The following fundamental questions were raised: (1) What are the elements of brasswind embouchure, and what is the effect of each upon performance? (2) Is there a single embouchure mode which may be considered most efficient, and if so, what facial muscles are involved, and how may they be trained?

The problem with which this study was concerned was that of evaluating and comparing of locus of control scores and interpersonal distance among the institutionalized and non-institutionalized mildly retarded populations. The hypothetical assumptions specifically stated that the institutionalized retardates will be more externally oriented, will show a greater interpersonal distance towards stimuli with no specific expectancies. In view of the findings of the study, the following recommendations are offered: 1. Determination and evaluation of locus of control in retardates may be a useful technique in assessing their personality and understanding their psychological needs. Several investigators have been attempted with neurotics and subjects with character disorders, but none is reported with retarded populations. Such information may contribute to planning and programming for this particular group. 2. Determination of the retardates' interpersonal space may be an important approach in assessing their personality structure. Such studies have been conducted with the emotionally disturbed children, schizophrenics and normal subjects; however, none has been conducted with retardates. 3. The instruments used for this study have been designed for and standardized on samples of normal populations. To achieve more accurate results, these instruments should be designed for and standardized on a sample consisting of retarded subjects. …

The purpose of the study was to develop a theory and model for motivity of consciousness which would constitute a system of thought motivity. The major premises of currently prominent theories of motivation, including psychoanalysis, learning theory, self-actualization theory, and topological psychology, were surveyed. Related materials in the area of psychic research and energy systems related to mental function were surveyed. The primary activities and processes called thought motivity were identified along with some of the major forces on the individual. From the identified forces and processes a theory of thought motivity was developed. A conceptual model for motivity of consciousness based upon the theory was designed. The theory and the model considered together constituted the system of thought motivity. Brain processes and biological actions of the human organism were proposed to have a functional, interdependent relationship. Thought was considered to be a functional of brain processes. It was postulated that a certain minimal level of biological actions were continuous in the living organism; therefore, thought was continuous. It was postulated that at any given point in time and space a universe of events would exist which was capable of producing outcomes in the brain. Of that universe of events …

The purposes of the study are to identify factors of creativity which have been revealed in the fields of personality and cognitive theory, art education, and science, and to formulate a base for a theory of creativity.

The problem of this study is to predict how basic design will be taught in the year 2000 in the United States of America according to the perceptions of design educators who were polled using a Delphi exercise. Basic design is an introductory course in design disciplines covering fundamental principles, components, and applications of design. This study has a twofold purpose. The first is to predict how basic design will be taught in the year 2000 to allow design educators to better prepare for the future. The second is to provide a basis for further research that might address specific areas in the future of teaching design.

The purpose of this study is to identify and compare the skills and knowledge areas that are valuable for success in broadcast advertising sales from the perspectives of broadcast managers and broadcast educators and to identify and compare to what degree recent graduates of broadcast-communication, business, and other majors perform or exhibit these skills and knowledge areas as perceived by selected broadcast managers and broadcast educators. The opinions of the broadcast managers and broadcast educators were determined from responses to a questionnaire of fifty-six items. The questionnaires were distributed to the chairs of the departments or areas responsible for broadcast curricula at forty-two four-year universities as listed by the 1983 Broadcasting-Cablecasting Yearbook [Sol Taishoff, editor, Washington, Broadcasting Magazine] as offering degrees in broadcasting, and 126 broadcast managers who were randomly selected from the broadcast markets in which the forty-two educational institutions are located.

The purposes of this study were to determine whether differences existed between the communication styles and teaching effectiveness, respectively, of native and non-native teaching fellows, as perceived by their undergraduate students. In addition, the study sought to determine whether a positive correlation existed between the final grades and the communication styles and teaching effectiveness, respectively, of native and non-native teaching fellows as perceived by their undergraduate students. In order to carry out the purposes of this study, six hypotheses were tested concerning the perception of native and non-native undergraduate students toward the communication style and teaching effectiveness of teaching fellows in North Texas State University.

The problem was to develop a model of thought within the basic structure provided by general or "point-set" topology. To do this, it was necessary to make four basic assumptions. It was assumed that each individual possesses more than the classical five senses and that for each of these there exists a category of sensory data. Also, it was assumed that the Cartesian product of these categories formed a set M of thought elements for each individual, and that certain subsets of M provide support for cogitation. The relation, function, continuous function, and homeomorphism, which are used to relate sets in topology, are discussed as a possible ramification of the model for communication. The global properties of the homeomorphism and continuous function present each as a viable support for strong and meaningful communication between thought spaces of individuals.

The problem with which this study was concerned is the political influence of community/junior college chief executive officers (CEOs) and campus presidents on the state legislature, both directly and indirectly, in the funding of community colleges in Texas. Perceptions of effectiveness were recorded by survey from campus presidents and CEOs as well as from legislators and key legislators. In addition, interviews were conducted with several key legislators and the chief administrators of the two statewide community college organizations. The purpose of the study was to analyze the policy-making process in Texas of which community/junior colleges are a part. The influential relationships and interactions of the sixty-five CEOs and campus presidents of the public community college districts and campuses in Texas were analyzed after a survey instrument was administered. Perceptions of rank—and—file legislators were gathered through use of another survey instrument and perceptions of key legislators were gathered in the same manner but with the addition of a personal interview. Certain questions were asked of them concerning interactions and communication with leaders of community colleges. With the legislators and the presidents certain demographic data was collected and analyzed as a part of the study. Among the findings, campus presidents and CEOs …

The purpose of the study was to determine if there is an effect on retention of vocabulary when music and imagery are used, to accelerate learning. As background for the study four brain functioning theories as developed from recent neuroscientific research were explored. These were the theory of right/left cerebral dominance (Sperry & others), triune brain theory (MacLean), taxon and locale long term memory (O'Keefe & Nadel), and holographic memory (Pribram). These four theories all suggest multiple channels of input will increase information retention. The research utilized three conditions: an experimental condition of music plus imagery, an experimental condition of music only, and a no treatment condition.

The problem with which this investigation is concerned is that of developing a theory in vocal pedagogy, voiception, which could provide teaching techniques with tangibility for gaining control of both voluntary and involuntary functions of the singing act. This study appears to show that feeling tone and cognition are innately involved with singing, since the vocal instrument is actually a part of the singer. Analysis of the sung vowel through the singing sensation is the connecting link for gaining control of involuntary vocal functions.

The social problem of juvenile delinquency and treatment efforts to alleviate this problem are introduced in this study. Literature related to theories on delinquency, institutional treatment, the role of recreation in correctional settings, and leisure education is reviewed and summarized. A basis for a leisure theory on delinquency is presented, suggesting delinquent behaviors are socially unacceptable leisure pursuits. Implications include efforts to replace delinquent behaviors with socially acceptable leisure pursuits (i.e. recreation).

The problem of this study was to address the question of the relationships between linguistic principles and film surface-structure. The analysis of motion pictures traditionally has been an analysis of films as art. At the same time, the techniques and effects of film often have been referred to as the "language of film." Until recently, however, no one took seriously the linguistic implications of the phrase. The theoretical evidence for linguistics of film is controversial but growing in acceptance and maturity of the concept. The study began with the assumption that film is a language. The method bypassed much of the philosophical discussion of whether film is a language in favor of finding the theory's practical usefulness. The findings produced some clues to the linguistic structure of particular films which may relate to film as a whole. The analysis clearly demonstrated the presence of visual rules of grammar. The findings not only supported a linguistic view of film but also generated structures that resembled accepted linguistic form. The basic units of analysis were found to have unit integrity, class form qualities, limitations on their employment, and a hierarchical relationship to other larger units. The analysis also pointed out some visually …

The problem of this study was an analysis of major spelling deficiencies among collegiate business students. The purposes were as follows: (1) to develop a diagnostic instrument that will measure spelling deficiencies; and (2) to make recommendations regarding the preparation of materials that will assist students in overcoming these deficiencies. Written assignments prepared by collegiate Business Communication students were examined for spelling errors. Errors were then classified into the following categories: (1) words with "ie" and "ei" ; (2) final "e"; (3) final consonant rule; (4) final "y"; (5) confusion over vowel sounds; (6) pronunciation problems; (7) sound-alikes; (8) plurals; (9) apostrophes; (10) omissions; (11) additions and repetitions; (12) substitutions; (13) demons; and (14) miscellaneous. Percentages of total errors served as a guideline for preparation of a Table of Specifications, and a Spelling Diagnostic Test was developed. Validity of the instrument was determined by a panel of experts. The test was then administered to 214 collegiate business students, and a reliability coefficient of .83 was determined using the split-half method.

This study was an investigation of the effects of guided listening upon instrumental music performances of junior college students. The study also sought to discover possible significant relationships between perception and performance variables. It was concluded that the guided listening program was ineffective in improving music performances of junior college students. It was recommended that (a) this study be replicated utilizing string, voice, and piano students, (b) an experimental study be made to investigate the effects of music theory instruction upon music performance, (c) an experimental study be made to investigate the effects of music history instruction upon music performance, and (d) an investigation be made of the Abeles performance constructs interpretation, tone, rhythm-continuity, intonation, tempo, and articulation, in an effort to ascertain ways in which expression of these constructs may be improved.

The present research incorporated the content of basic statistics into the Artificial Intelligence Physics Tutor (ARPHY), which was used as the expert system shell, and investigated the effects of the Artificial Intelligent Statistics Tutor (ARSTAT) as a supplement to learning statistics at the college level. Two classes of an introductory educational statistics course in the Department of Educational Foundations, University of North Texas, were used in the study. The daytime class was used as the experimental group and the evening class was used as the control group. The experimental group's lecture/discussion was supplemented with ARSTAT, and the control group received only lecture/discussion. A one-way analysis of covariance was used to compare students' test scores. No significant difference was found; however, the adjusted mean score of the experimental group was slightly higher than that of the control group. A two-way analysis of covariance showed no significant main effect or interaction between gender and study technique. A second two-way analysis of covariance showed no significant interaction between the students' attitude toward statistics and the study technique used. However, the students with a statistics-positive attitude scored significantly higher on the test than students who had a negative attitude toward statistics. This study concluded …

This study is a survey of public community college speech programs in Texas. An investigation of the literature revealed that only three similar studies had been made concerning Texas junior colleges. Chapter Four concludes the study by reviewing the current status of public community college speech programs in Texas and making recommendations for the improvement of these speech programs.

The problem of this study is that of developing a speech and drama program for Tyler State College which is consistent with the philosophical framework of the college as well as with the scope of upper-division institutions in Texas as stated by the Coordinating Board, Texas College and University System. Emphasis is placed on the matriculation of students from junior colleges within commuting distance of Tyler.