Teaching Students to Become Effective Planners through Communication: A Planning Communications Studio

An introductory communication methods and professional practice studio is discussed in terms of struc ture, procedures, content, role of the primary faculty and guest instruc tors, and examples of recent meth ods exercises and team projects. An assessment of the effectiveness of studio exercises in written, oral, graphic, and integrated communica tion skills, and the application of these skills in brief reality-based team projects is presented. Progress in individual skill development, the ability to work with others, integrity, resourcefulness, creativity, and indi vidual improvement form the basis for grading as well as for the evolu tion from student to professional planner.