Based on decades of teaching experience combined with the latest in research and communication theory, Steve McCornack and Joseph Ortiz’s Choices & Connections helps students to transform their lives and become more adaptive and versatile communicators by revealing the connections that underlie all communication choices—and by showing how the outcomes students experience are rooted in the communication choices they make.
Captivating students from page one, Choices & Connections weaves together a variety of topics into a unified view of communication, highlighted by built-in study tools and a variety of news, pop culture, and real-life examples. Choices & Connections with LaunchPad represents a unique and innovative print and digital learning suite: the How to Communicate video element immerses students in challenging, real-life scenarios that require them to make communication choices and adapt their plan as the situation evolves in unpredictable ways (much like in real life). Additional videos illustrate communication concepts, and the adaptive quizzing program, LearningCurve, creates a personalized learning experience.
Choices & Connections with LaunchPad combines an interactive e-book, integrated videos, and ready-made assessment options curated into easy-to-assign units inside one convenient learning program.
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Dr. McCornack is Associate Professor, Undergraduate Program Coordinator, and Honors Advisor in the Department of Communication at Michigan State University. His scholarly interests include family communication, sex education, deception, and LGBTQ issues. Dr. McCornack teaches undergraduate and graduate courses on interpersonal communication, relational communication, and language/discourse. Since he began at MSU, he has received several awards for undergraduate teaching excellence, including the Amoco Foundation Excellence in Teaching Award, a Lilly Endowment Teaching Fellowship, the MSU Alumni Association Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award, and the MSU Teacher/Scholar Award. Dr. McCornack is a two-time MSU nominee for the Carnegie Foundation U. S. Professor of the Year Award (1999; 2010).
Dr. Ortiz has taught for over 30 years, beginning in 1983 at Clovis Community College (NM). He joined the Scottsdale Community College faculty in 1989, where he teaches courses on human communication, interpersonal and small group communication, and digital storytelling. In support of student learning, Dr. Ortiz is heavily involved in the use of classroom assessment tools, service learning, collaborative learning methods, and the use of online technology. A campus leader, he has served as chair of the Fine Arts Division, faculty senate president, and interim Associate Dean of Instruction. Dr. Ortiz is the recipient of peer-nominated outstanding teaching awards at Clovis Community College (formerly Eastern New Mexico University at Clovis) and Scottsdale Community College. Additionally, he has been recognized as a Master Teacher by the National Institute of Staff and Organization Development. Dr. Ortiz holds a BS degree in Speech from Lamar University (TX), an MA in Communication from Eastern New Mexico University, and an Ed D in Higher and Adult Education from Arizona State University.
