Small Group Communication: Forming & Sustaining Teams

Reviewed by Kaitlyn Haynal, Visiting Assistant Professor, University of Mary Washington on 7/30/25

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

The book does a great job covering key basic areas for an introduction to small group communication. There is room for building out additional nuances, complexities, or theories to give faculty and students the option to engage in bit more depth to small group communication, however, as a whole does a wonderful job providing a foundation on the topic.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

The content appears to be accurate, if a little simplistic. While there could be some richer development of supporting or applied examples for key concepts, I appreciate that even students who only give each chapter a quick gloss benefit from how direct and accessible the information is delivered.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 4

Content is relevant to key timeless areas of small group communication, particularly related to process, characteristics, and functions of small group communication, leadership, norms, and collaboration. I think there are some sections that read a bit generic, and while generally applicable, could be strengthened. In particular, working in diverse teams, negotiating power in groups, enhancing creativity, and discussions of hybrid or online collaboration could all benefit from more specific and timely examples so that students can better connect these topics with real-world experiences.

Clarity rating: 5

The text is written in clear, accessible language with effective header and sub-header organization, clear paragraphs, and direct language that lends itself well to undergraduate reading and comprehension.

Consistency rating: 5

The book follows a consistent structure that made reading and course prep feel consistent and rhythmic across all four units.

Modularity rating: 5

I really appreciated the textbook modularity. There are 4 units and 16 chapters, which made it easily adaptable to the span of a semester with a good balance of textbook days, activity days, and group-workshop days.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

The chapters are well organized with clear headers and sub-headers that follow the learning objectives stated at the start of each chapter. This made it easy to lecture prep and break up classes into smaller digestible sections.

Interface rating: 3

I can't speak to the PDF version, however, the online version has a few issues. There are a fair number of images that don't load and hyperlinked key terms don't show the definition when you click on them. There are a lot of stock photos that sometimes feel generic and would benefit from correlating to more specific examples related to the reading topics.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

There are no noticeable grammatical errors. The writing is clear and easy to follow, making it well-suited for an introductory undergraduate course.

Cultural Relevance rating: 3

The textbook is just fine, with no noticeable insensitive or offensive content. However, it felt a bit lacking overall in cultural nuance. I found the chapter 'working in diverse teams' to be the weakest of the textbook. It felt basic and surface level, without much critical consideration for the value of diversity beyond benefits like enhances creative thinking or benefits problem-solving. It also focused on diversity in terms of generic cultural traits. This felt stale and like it missed the mark on an opportunity to acknowledge a much richer and more complex discussion on the challenges and opportunities of diversity in the current political climate or acknowledging the struggles and opportunities that come from cultural difference. It would have been nice for it to create moments to talk about challenges that stem from difference, including more explicit discussion on disability, race, gender, sexuality, or language barriers.

This is a great, no-frills textbook that offers a well-rounded introduction to Small Group Communication. As a gen-ed and basic comm class, this textbook felt accessible for undergraduate needs. As a faculty member with no background in small group communication, I found this textbook was an easy, direct, and accessible resource to teach Small Group Communication for the first time. I appreciate that it was well organized and easy to build my course around. I also appreciate that chapters were a reasonable length and made week-to-week course prep for a new class feel manageable. I wish some of the review and reflection questions were more critical and thoughtful. Most of them are pretty basic and ask students to regurgitate the text, which can be helpful for review, but doesn't really lend itself to rich class discussion or places to build class out beyond the basic material. Suggestions for in-class activities or case studies that I could explore further would also have been helpful; I found myself needing to reach out to other faculty or searching other resources to help supplement my class prep beyond the textbook. However, overall, I would recommend this textbook!

Reviewed by Hyun Kang, Assistant Professor, James Madison University on 8/20/24

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

While the text may be clear and concise, it could benefit from more in-depth analysis and discussions of key concepts. Including real-world case studies or examples could be helpful.

Content Accuracy rating: 4

The content appears to be generally accurate and free from significant biases. However, some topics related to small group communication may not have simple or straightforward answers. The text should acknowledge the complexity of these issues and provide a more nuanced perspective.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 3

While the content may be generally relevant, it's important to ensure that the information is supported by recent research and citations. Incorporating more discussions of recent issues specifically related to small group communication, such as the impact of technology or diversity and inclusion, can enhance the text's relevance.

Clarity rating: 5

The book was written in a clear and understandable manner, making it easy for students to follow.

Consistency rating: 4

The text appears to be generally consistent in terms of terminology and framework. However, there may be instances where the terminology related to power and leadership could be more consistent.

Modularity rating: 4

Overall, the book is well-structured, making it easy to divide into smaller, manageable reading sections. However, there is some overlap between the sections on leadership and power, so it may be beneficial to create a more distinct division between them. Additionally, reorganizing or combining the sections on group formation and roles could enhance the overall flow and coherence.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 4

The overall organization of the text, from group communication overview to forming, sustaining, and practicing, is logical and well-structured. The subsections within each chapter could be more clearly defined and organized to improve the overall flow and structure. More specific subheadings help to clearly indicate the content of each subsection.

Interface rating: 3

Some images may be distracting or irrelevant to the content. Charts that are outdated or do not provide valuable information can be confusing or distracting.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

I found no significant grammatical errors

Cultural Relevance rating: 4

The text appears to be respectful and inclusive of diverse cultures and backgrounds. Incorporate more examples that represent a wider range of groups, including LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and older adults. This will help to make the text more inclusive and relevant to a diverse student population.

The textbook has a good foundation because it is comprehensive, is well-written, and shows cultural sensitivity. To make it more useful, however, consider adding more examples, updating the citations, deepening the discussions on some topics, and improving the interface. Exploring how technology affects group communication, discussing ethical issues, and using real-life case studies could also enhance the learning experience for students.

Reviewed by Riley Richards, Assistant Professor, Oregon Institute of Technology on 9/14/23

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

All the central ideas for stand-alone small group communication courses are included. The most extensive areas in which I needed to add information were communication theory and meetings. For theories, both add in additional theories that are not ever mentioned and expand on the ones that are briefly mentioned. For meetings, I found students needed far more instruction than what the chapter provides.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

The information was accurate.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 4

About 90% of the text is 'timeless.' For example, the reason for individuals joining groups has more or less always been considered the same way. The remaining 10% is outdated as it relates to communication technology, especially virtual groups. Most of the findings, claims, and references in these sections are based on Walther's early work in the 2000s.

Clarity rating: 4

Here as well 90% is perfectly fine. Then 10% needs more connection and elaboration. This stems from most of the text being from other OER materials and then pieced together. This is a fine approach, but more connection between ideas would make the overall explanation stronger.

Consistency rating: 5

Good, no issues.

Modularity rating: 5

Each "chapter" can be stand-alone and mixed, that's what I do.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 4

Here as well, more elaboration and connection between central ideas would be helpful.

Interface rating: 4

I have not found issues with the PDF version of the text. The online webpage version of the text has some glitches.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

Good, no issues.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

Culture isn't a major part of the text. In some places, it should be emphasized more. For example, the advantages and disadvantages of groups in chapter 1.

If you use this text, use the PDF version instead of the webpage version.

Reviewed by Wendy Riemann, Communication Instructor, The George Washington University on 6/20/23

Comprehensiveness rating: 5 see less

This book is a great highlights reel of the most important components of small group work, taking readers from the creation of a group through the group’s lifespan. It covers topics effectively, without being overwhelming. It really focuses on the specifics of small group work and provides different approaches that a group might take on various topics, such as brainstorming.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

I found the book to be accurate and unbiased. Research and scholarly articles were sourced throughout it.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 4

This is a very practical textbook. Examples are useful without being trendy – COVID is not mentioned, so the virtual components of working in a group are present, but an instructor could add in more about Zoom, etc. Someone could easily work through this book at a nice pace over the course of a semester. The book provides a strong foundation of factual material so it won't go out of style, however instructors may want to contribute more about current events, news stories, etc.

Clarity rating: 5

The textbook is easy to understand – perfect for an introductory course. I like that it uses paragraphs instead of extensive bullets – it clearly connects the dots. It is very reader friendly with highlighted terms and a glossary at the back.

Consistency rating: 5

Each chapter is well-written in a similar format. There are review questions at the end to ponder.

Modularity rating: 5

Each chapter is a manageable read with multiple sections within each chapter. This would be easy to breakdown into different units throughout the semester or read a chapter each week. It is easy to navigate through the book chapters.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

Reading through the text, the chapter order makes logical sense. An instructor could assign the chapters in a different order to read, but I don’t think it would be necessary – it flows well and exceeded my expectations in connecting the dots.

Interface rating: 5

No issues here. Good use of charts. I would love even more assessment ideas for students.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

Well-written chapters and free from errors. Easy to read.

Cultural Relevance rating: 3

I appreciated the chapter on working with different cultures. Many of the examples were generic enough that they could be modified to work within any classroom setting, but I think it could go further with examples. An instructor may want to bring in additional examples to highlight, such as generational differences within workplace settings.

I’ve looked through multiple books focused on small groups to teach my class and really appreciate the level of detail – without being overwhelming – in this text. It covers theories, concepts, and skills in a direct manner. It is a good fit for undergraduates in an introductory course. For an instructor who has various class activities, assessments, and projects in mind already, and wants strong supporting material to add structure and context to their course, this book would be an excellent complement.

Reviewed by Dana Trunnell, Associate Professor of Communication, Prairie State College on 6/15/22

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

I am impressed with the coverage of topics that illustrate how students can become more effective communicators in various small group settings. This text lends credence to the historical study of small group work while also providing students with a framework for working through emerging trends like improving the function of virtual small groups. I would love to see more attention given to the systems approach toward group communication because it is such a popular theory.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

The text provides an accurate description of the historical and current trends in approaching small group communication. Each chapter/module draws from scholarly research and lists bibliographic information at the end of each module. I did not uncover bias in the text's approach.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

I found this text to be updated to reflect modern trends in small group communication, including strategies for working in virtual groups. I found the information provided regarding virtual groups to be up-to-date; however, some students might need more robust descriptions of software and other technology. It might also be helpful to include information about how students might become more proficient with technology (E.g., working with campus instructional technology offices, using online tutorials, etc.).

Clarity rating: 5

I found the book to be very readable - the language is clear and precise, and any terms needing additional explanation are hyperlinked to give students more context.

Consistency rating: 5

I found that the textbook is consistent with the accepted terminology and framework discussed in the field of small group communication. In fact, this book recognizes that there are inconsistencies among small group scholars (i.e., how many people make a small group, etc.) and discusses why those inconsistencies might exist.

Modularity rating: 5

I have used other OER books in the past and what I like about this text is that one complete chapter is available when one clicks on the link to the chapter instead of only one subsection of that chapter. So, students can read the entire chapter from one link without having to scroll through other pages using navigational tools. I have found that the latter is very confusing to students, who might read only the first subsection and not the entire chapter. These links can easily be incorporated into an LMS module for easy access. In addition, each chapter is very readable - the information is not long-winded and sticks to the basics with relevant examples and sidebars included where necessary. And, with 16 chapters, instructors can choose to cover one chapter per 16-week course, if desired.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

The organization is one of my favorite aspects of this text! This book recognizes the need for students to understand basic aspects of group formation before thinking about maintaining the group's atmosphere and/or tackling tasks as a team. In small group instruction, students tend to jump right into the assigned tasks because that's what is typically expected of a college classroom. The order of this book slows students down and helps everyone to understand the importance of creating an effective group before moving forward.

Interface rating: 5

The interface of this textbook is certainly one of its chief strengths. Students can access chapter content from a link provided by their instructor or can navigate through the text using a descriptive and simple table of contents. Each chapter is organized in a similar format - subsections with chapter content, sidebar information where additional instruction might be useful, review questions, and a bibliography. Difficult terms or concepts requiring a bit more context are hyperlinked so students who need more information can easily access it.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

I did not encounter grammatical errors as I read.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

Not only do the authors use inclusive language throughout the book, but they also devote Chapter 5 to Working in Diverse Teams. Chapter 5 goes beyond a hasty sensitivity lesson to include a mini-course in intercultural communication that helps students improve their cultural intelligence and competency in interacting with people from different cultures.

For an introductory-level small group communication course, this book is hard to beat. It is comprehensive, readable, and helps students become acquainted with the discipline without breaking the bank.

Reviewed by Erica Knotts, Communication Instructor, Southern Oregon University on 1/2/22

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

Content is easy to understand for students new to the study of small group communication. While I would have liked to see a few more theories and models explored in depth rather than just a quick reference, the content included seemed to cover all required aspects. I also appreciated that it included current trends in the field.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

No glaring errors visible. Most content was supported with research and scholarly evidence.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

Content is up to date with current research and current trends including the adjustment and study of virtual groupwork over the past year.

Clarity rating: 5

Language is simplistic and easy to navigate. Definitions of terms are clear and concise. Examples are current and connected to today's learner.

Consistency rating: 5

Terminology is defined using realistic examples and a framework which learners will be able to understand.

Modularity rating: 4

There is some room to separate content a bit more especially subsections within each section, but overall the structure and formatting used is clear and the book is easy to navigate.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

Book follows the life cycle of a small group from beginning to end making it easy to navigate and understand.

Interface rating: 5

Links are easy to find including glossary terms. Entire book is searchable and charts/graphics are clear and helpful for the learner.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

I did not come across any glaring grammatical errors

Cultural Relevance rating: 3

Book addresses topics of diversity in a clear way using current research to justify content. Graphics and conversation examples are inclusive but there is room for expansion on this topic overall when it comes to addressing how groups function in a variety of settings. There is some, but I would like to have seen a bit more.

If you are looking for a simple and basic book to introduce learners to small group communication, this is the book for you. This is a great starter conversation to this field of study. I would have liked to see a few areas expanded upon as well as some more activities and perhaps some surveys included, but overall it is a clear and concise book.

Reviewed by Lynn McCool, Assistant Professor of Business Communication, Drake University on 11/17/21

Comprehensiveness rating: 5 see less

This book provides a thorough overview of small group and team-based communication theory, formation, and essential skills.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

This text accurately identifies how groups form, ways to cultivate a supportive group climate, and how to put group communication skills into practice.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

This book is just the right length for a communication course that is project and skills-oriented. It provides the right blend of content and discussion questions.

Clarity rating: 5

The author's style is clear because of the use of reader-friendly hyperlinked explanations for terms and important concepts.

Consistency rating: 5

This text consistently uses terminology in relatable ways to build a logical framework for readers.

Modularity rating: 5

The author makes strategic use of smaller paragraphs and logical groupings of information. Portions of this text could be easily reorganized or combined with another work to create something new for students.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

The book has a clear organizational hierarchy. The use of hyperlinked information and the online medium create dynamic pathways for readers to explore its content.

Interface rating: 5

The interface of this text is user-friendly and easy to navigate.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

I did not encounter any glaring grammatical errors.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

This text is inclusive and devotes space to topics of working in diverse teams and negotiating power within groups.

This text is well-written, highly readable, and a really great resource for introducing students to the theory and application of small group and team communication skills.