Using team reporting projects to teach concepts of audience and written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills

A series of team reporting projects is used to teach concepts of audience and written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills in technical and professional communication courses at the University of Texas at Arlington. Supplemental to conventional reporting assignments, the projects range from short exercises done in a single class period to extended out-of-class projects involving both a literature review and primary research. In each, students work in small, interdisciplinary groups to solve a problem, prepare a team-written report, and deliver an oral presentation. Short exercises are graded by the instructor; the more extensive reporting projects are graded by peers and by the instructor using evaluation checklists. Students have responded favorably to the projects, and as a result of their team work have enhanced not only communication skills, but problem-solving, decision-making, planning, and management skills as well. Team projects are an effective supplement to conventional reporting assignments.