Simulations as a Fundamental Teaching Tool: Striking the Appropriate Balance

The instructional approach adopted by the instructor in business communication courses contributes to a student’s personal and, more importantly, professional growth. Instructors should help students develop communication competence and sophistication through practice opportunities. These practice opportunities need to be different than those in beginning communication courses. Traditional approaches fail to take advantage of these opportunities. For example, many instructors focus on the teaching of business writing solely or standup-and-speak assignments, or some combination of the two. To use either or both of these exclusively does not provide students with sufficient background to manage the day-to-day communication situations they will experience during their careers, especially interpersonal and group situations. The ultimate objective when teaching communication principles and theories is to better prepare students to make contributions during their careers. As communication educators and trainers, we hope to alter the communication practices that currently lead to communication breakdowns and organizational failures.