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Peer Review

Communication for Business Professionals

Reviewed:

May 4, 2021 by Business
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Ratings

Overall Rating: 5.0 stars
Content Quality: 5.0 stars
Effectiveness: 5.0 stars
Ease of Use: 5.0 stars
Overview:

This book provides a comprehensive, integrated approach to the study and application of written and oral business communication to serve both student and professor. The text includes a number of features such as learning objectives, exercises, real world examples, key terms, and post-chapter assessments. This text is adapted from Business communication for Success. This 2018 adaptation has significantly reduced the size and scope of the original publication and added Canadian examples. This open textbook is designed in 12 chapters featuring a spectrum of current and relevant Canadian business communication topics.

Type of Material:

Open (Access) Textbook

Recommended Uses:

  • This textbook can be used as the primary resource for a communications class in Canada. 
  • The textbook could be used as a supplement
  • The textbook provides activities and quizzes that could be used in class or for homework assignments.
Technical Requirements:

Used Google Chrome and had no issues.  There are YouTube videos embedded in the book, but having an internet connection should be all that is needed.

Identify Major Learning Goals:

  • Students will gain skills to use communication in their careers.
  • Students will gain confidence in communication

 

 

Target Student Population:

  • Entry-level business students
  • Upper level for majors in Marketing or Communications
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

There are no prerequisite skills needed to use this textbook.

Content Quality

Rating:
Strengths:

  • The content is clear and the design supports reader engagement.  
  • Textbook is arranged in an organized and consistent manner.
  • The textbook was published in 2018 and provides current information through the text and assorted videos throughout the chapters.
  • The textbook is written in an "approachable" manner.  There are pictures to supplement the text and examples to explain new concepts as well as a glossary.
  • At the end of each chapter, there are activities to solidify new concepts as well as a quiz to check on comprehension.
Concerns:

  • The textbook was written with specific Canadian examples.  It might be nice to consider a version of the ebook with examples from other countries.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:
Strengths:

  • Learning outcomes are provided at beginning of each chapter.
  • Chapter preview is provided at beginning of each chapter that discusses the content in a clean and "non-lecture" format
  • A glossary is provided at the end of chapters to assist students with words that may be new to them.
  • Practical stories are shared at the beginning and end of chapters to assist students in understanding the conceptual ideas presented within the chapter.
Concerns:

  • This tool is a typical textbook and would be used as such.  Textbooks are typically used as a primary source for a student during a course.  There are limited ways with which a textbook can be used within a course.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:

  • This textbook has a very clear and consistent layout.  Each chapter follows a consistent pattern.
  • This textbook is easy to use/navigate and provides clear instructions.
  • The links to reach the textbook were in working order at the time of this review.
  • This textbook is visually appealing through the use of pictures and graphics to supplement the written text.
  • The author has paid attention to details such as the use of color, layout, and font choice to make the material easy to read.
  • Students can read the text via the links or download and save it to their device.
  • When right-clicking on the pictures and choosing inspect then choosing accessibility, a written description was given for the pictures.
  • There is an option to highlight to add annotations in the online/interactive versions. 
  • The digital pdf documents provide active links to the online exercises at the end of each chapter.
Concerns:

None

Other Issues and Comments:

  • While I did not have the ability to download all the formats that are available, the digital pdf allows access via a live link to the online exercises. 
  • As someone who frequently reviews new textbooks for courses, this has to be one of the best I have seen.  
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