Table of Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

UNIT I

Foundations of Classroom Communication

and Diversity

1 Communication in the Classroom

2 Factors Influencing Learning and Communication

UNIT II

Understanding Diversity

3 Culture and Classroom Communication

4 Gender and Classroom Communication

5 Students with Diverse Learning Needs

UNIT III

Building and Mantaining Communities of Learners in Diverse Classrooms

6 Building Relationships

7 Building and Maintaining Communities of Learners in Diverse Classrooms

8 Positive Behavioral Supports

UNIT IV

Best Practices for Communication in

Diverse Settings

9 Instructional Strategies

10 Technology and Instructional Communication

Bibliography

Index

About the Author

Dana L. Powell is currently a professor in the Department of Literacy, early, Bilingual and Special Education at California State University Fresno. (Fresno State). Prior to receiving her Ph.D in Special Education from the University of New Mexico, Dana had 15 years experience teaching students with learning, emotional and behavioral problems at a local high school and at a psychiatric hospital from adolescents in Albuquerque NM.

Robert G. Powell is Professor Emeritus, in the Department of Communication at California State University, Fresno. He has taught courses in instructional communication for more than 30 years. His research has examined the communication processes that promote academic engagement and performance in diverse educational environments.