Furthermore, the goals of Communication Arts are based on performance abilities rather than on the accumulation of specific facts and concepts. Students receive expert guidance from an instructor as they make repeated attempts to improve their writing and speaking ability. This is, again, markedly different from courses that have the dissemination of information as their primary goal. Sample essays are read and analyzed which provide models for the student s own writing. Some class time is devoted to drafting, revising, peer review, etc.
Students frequently meet in groups to discuss the progress of their work.
Faculty members provide feedback through whole group discussion of student essays, individual conferences with students, and written feedback on oral and written performances. Rhetorical issues audience, purpose, subject are foregrounded in discussing the writing process. Students learn to vary content, organization, and style depending on the needs of a particular audience. Although students are encouraged to think about real purposes and audiences, most students focus on winning the approval of their instructor rather than a stipulated audience beyond the classroom. The problem-based learning assignments were designed to help students focus on real audiences for their writing.