Continued from part I.
The University of Texas at Austin (UT) is one of the largest public universities in the United States. Founded in 1883, the university has grown from a single building, eight teachers, and 221 students to a 350-acre main campus with 21,000 faculty and staff, 17 colleges and schools, and more than 50,000 students. More than 8,700 bachelor’s degrees are awarded annually in more than 170 fields of study and 100 majors. The university has one of the most diverse student populations in the country and is a national leader in the number of undergraduate degrees awarded to minority students.
After piloting the customized course format in summer 2009, UT officially launched the course across 44 sections in fall 2009. Pearson Learning Solutions remains available for both instructor and TA training, and to field questions and resolve any issues students may have with the new system.
“The most obvious change has been that book sales are through the roof and students are actually reading it—so class time is more productive,” says Battaglia. “If students don’t read the book, class time is wasted on preparation instead of hands-on learning. Students today come to class having read the material, connected it to their world, and are ready to take it further.”
Both students and instructors give the exam review opportunities a thumbs up. “Students have a wealth of materials help familiarize them with important communication concepts before course exams, including sample student speeches, interviews with UT faculty, research and outlining tools, and chapter quizzes,” says Battaglia. “They feel better prepared and more in control of their learning experience. It’s alleviated the blame game students frequently play when they fall behind.”
Battaglia sees improvement in her students’ work, as well. “I’m seeing changes in their speeches,” she says. “As a result of integrating relevant, local examples, the students have connected more to class content and are able to gain a deeper understanding of the underlying structures and concepts.”
The course’s new teaching and learning model has also helped its many TAs become more effective instructors. “Our instructors are more interested and excited since seeing the possibilities that custom media offers,” says Battaglia. “They’ve learned how to incorporate media into their classrooms, weave timely material into their curricula, and connect theories and concepts to realworld skills media. And thanks to Pearson, they’ve also been offered a host of pedagogical workshops.”
Several instructors coauthored sections of the textbook. “The collaboration has been good for the department,” says Battaglia. “There’s unanimous buy-in of the project, and a greater sense of teamwork and unity among the instructors.”
From an institutional standpoint, the custom Professional Communication Skills materials are a winning proposition. “The school is making money, instead of losing it, on book sales,” says Battaglia. “The book and online code sell through 100 percent at the bookstore each semester. The bookstore is delighted and, more important, students aren’t complaining about a book they don’t use.”
Although the initial structure is firmly in place, Battaglia and the other instructors see the project—and their partnership with Pearson Learning Solutions—as ongoing. “We’re committed to keeping all of the course content ‘live,’” says Battaglia. “We plan on updating, fine-tuning, and evolving the online media complement every semester; and the textbook every two years. The project is only going to get better and better.”
To read more abut the collaboration of Pearson Learning Solutions with other universities and institutions please visit our website.
For the last 15 years, I have spoken at colleges and universities around the country talking about what ‘real life networking’ is and how important it is to develop the skills that will help one get a job, keep it and get promoted. These types of interpersonal skills will serve students over a lifetime.

Brianna Pomatico is currently a senior at New York University, double-majoring in Media, Culture, and Communication, and Politics. As a former member of the Pearson Student Advisory Board, Brianna enjoys her continued involvement with the Pearson community. Brianna hopes to make a difference in the field of education, and plans to attend law school following graduation.