An Alternative to a Master's Program    

Discussions concerning the structure of technical communication programs raise a multitude of questions: how do we include both theory and practice? How much theory is appropriate for a program in an applied area? What do our students need and want? How can we meet our students’ needs and ourown academic goals? These questions can become even more intense when they relate to master’s degree programs and the demanding students they attract. We are faced with decisions about what thenature of a master’s program in technical communication should be.

Allen, Nancy J. CPTSC Proceedings (2001). Articles>Education>Graduate

Crossing Disciplinary Borders  

In a collaborative project that bridged professional cultures, 40 students from technical communication and computer science collaborated on a software development project. They worked in small groups developing subparts of a complex word processor. Questionnaires and project logs revealed that participants found the project generally appropriate and beneficial, but the cross-disciplinary collaboration was neither valued twr successful.

Allen, Nancy J. STC Proceedings (1997). Articles>Education>Service Learning

Here Comes That Song Again: The Theory and Practice Blues  

An issue that continues to affect our strategies for developing undergraduate programs is the old contest between theory and practice, or, as it frequently occurs in technical communication programs, between theory and tools. Should we focus our undergraduate programs on understanding principles of communication in the technical world or should we focus on teaching the tools that are called for in the job ads for technical communicators?

Allen, Nancy J. CPTSC Proceedings (2000). Academic>Education>Undergraduate>Theory

TPC Program Snapshots: Developing Curricula and Addressing Challenges    

This article reports results from a survey of US technical and professional communication undergraduate programs concerning core concepts emphasized and most commonly taught procedures, skills, and tools. Snapshot views of current programs are derived from the results, and the developmental processes and directions of four new programs are described in more detail. The article concludes with challenges for programs to maintain humanistic concerns while also providing effective professional and technical preparation.

Allen, Nancy J. and Steven T. Benninghoff. Technical Communication Quarterly (2004). Articles>Education>Management>Case Studies

Working in the Liberal Arts/Technology Borderlands

One border that technical and professional communication (TPC) programs straddle constantly is that between the liberal arts and technology. We struggle to find ways to do justice to both as we prepare our students to enter these professions.

Allen, Nancy J. CPTSC Proceedings (2003). Articles>Education>Technology