Goodheart- Willcox Publisher is selecting several high school instructors to trial the new pilot program for Professional Communications online textbook. This includes Lindale High School’s Beth Huse for the 2015-16 school year.

“Well I’ve used the fundamentals and communications textbooks for four years now,” speech teacher Beth Huse said. “About a year ago the publishing company contacted me on possibly reviewing a chapter for the new professional communications texts that they were putting together.”

Huse jumped at the opportunity and eventually was offered the chance to write a chapter in the book.  This year the book is not in wide release, either hardback or online. They wanted to try it out so we can get them some feedback on the text, on the usefulness and the kids’ reactions.

“I met with a publisher a couple times on different things and reviewed other chapters and did some editing and revisions on that for them,” Huse said. “Then the editor contacted me and asked if I would be interested in using the book since I was a contributor in the pilot program.”

Huse will use the book in all of her professional communication classes and her business English 4 class for the 2015-16 school year. She will distribute it to her students to use both in class and at home.

“We are very fortunate to use it, even at this level, even though it’s not completely finished,” Huse said. “To be able to utilize the online access will be very beneficial to the students.”

The Professional Communication Online Learning Suite is an option from the textbook publishing company that allows students and teachers to use solely online resources instead of purchasing hardback textbooks.

“It was very difficult to write for a textbook because there was a certain way they wanted things done,” Huse said. “But it was rewarding nonetheless to see my words in the chapter.”