Real Communication An Introduction

ix

c Cutting-edge coverage of mediated communication that examines how

we communicate now. Real Communication incorporates exciting research

and practical advice on communicating via technology, along with student-

oriented topics like social networking, privacy, and trolling.

c New and updated sample speeches accompanied by new full-length

videos. These speeches, entitled “Social Media, Social Identity, and Social

Causes” and “Preventing Cyberbullying,” explore relevant topics in writ-

ten and visual formats to help students improve their own public speaking

skills. To learn more about the videos, see the LaunchPad section that

follows.

c Focus on real people in real careers. Our revamped Real Communicator

boxes, which can be found in every chapter, include a fascinating look at

how communication study has launched many diverse careers, from doc-

tor, to media research professional, to actress (just see the box on Octavia

Spencer!). Our “Real Communicators” both share career advice and show

students that communication study can lead to a wide variety of professions.

c Inclusion of the “Understanding Mass and Mediated Communication”

Appendix in every book. Due to our increasingly virtual and plugged-in

world, this formerly optional chapter is now included in each new copy of

the book. The chapter includes updated information and scholarship on

niche programming, narrowcasting, framing, Internet Gaming Disorder,

agenda setting, and digital disparities.

c Updated examples that keep students reading and learning essential

course concepts. These include modern-day issues (from celebrity activism

to perceptions of the Tea Party) and familiar faces (from Sheryl Sandberg to

The Bachelorette) that illuminate theories for students.

As for our digital content, we’re thrilled to introduce LaunchPad, a dynamic

and easy-to-use platform. LaunchPad makes instructors’ lives easier by putting

everything in one place, combining the full e-book with carefully chosen videos,

quizzes, activities, instructor’s resources, and LearningCurve. LaunchPad—which

can be packaged for free with Real Communication or purchased separately—

allows instructors to create reading, video, or quiz assignments in seconds, as

well as embed their own videos or custom content. Instructors can also keep

an eye on their class’s progress throughout the semester for individual students

and for individual assignments.

LaunchPad comes fully loaded with powerful learning tools, including the

following:

c LearningCurve, an adaptive and personalized quizzing program that

puts the concept of “testing to learn” into action. Chapter callouts

prompt students to tackle the gamelike LearningCurve quizzes to test their

knowledge and reinforce learning. Based on cognitive research on how stu-

dents learn, this adaptive quizzing program motivates students to engage

with course materials. The reporting tools let you see what students under-

stand so you can adapt your teaching to their needs.

Preface

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