Knowledge Management, User Manuals, and Online Help: Tools for the Workplace

The three skills that technical writers most often need are an ability to elicit information from recalcitrant SMEs (Subject Matter Experts), the ability to put this information on paper (user manuals) and the ability to put it online in a Help system. This class will teach these skills. The first module will be an in-depth study on Knowledge Management, the second will be the creation of a user-centered manual using Word, Visio, and screen capture programs, and the last module will be transferring this information to an online Help using ForeHelp or RoboHelp.

Johnson, Carol Siri. New Jersey Institute of Technology. Academic>Courses>Knowledge Management>Documentation

Knowledge-Based Systems

Introduces you to the theory and practice of engineering expert knowledge into system designs (also referred to as intelligent communication and software). To overcome the limitations of human processing capabilities, the technology industry must increasingly move from a model of providing support, training and documentation in forms external to the system, to a model where this information is seamlessly integrated in the larger system design. Early examples of knowledge-based subsystems include wizards, agents and expert system support. In this course, you gain an understanding of the very nature of expert knowledge, its value to the expert, and the way in which the expert constructs this knowledge. You also learn to develop strategies for collecting and organizing knowledge from experts, and ways to integrate expert knowledge in system designs.

Carliner, Saul. Bentley College (2002). Academic>Courses>Knowledge Management

Kommunikation

The course comprises two main aspects of communication; speaking and writing. During study period 3, there will be a clear focus on oral presentation skills. In study period 4, we will be dealing with technical writing and how to write a lab report in English. This lab report will be based on experiments carried out in the 'Materials Science' course.

Chalmers Tekniska Hogskola (2002). (Swedish) Academic>Courses>Undergraduate

Materiali e Proposte Didattiche

La scrittura elettronica è una delle più importanti 'conquiste' dell'informatica: anche i più restii all'innovazione tecnologica, ormai, concordano nel ritenere quanto meno vantaggioso, sia in termini di velocità che di praticità e organizzazione, il fatto di scrivere al computer. Ma la scrittura elettronica non serve solo a risparmiare tempo e, almeno idealmente, a evitare spreco di carta. Si è subito capito che essa ha anche molte altre implicazioni: il word processing evidenzia ad esempio alcuni immediati e significativi cambiamenti nel rapporto tra mente e testo, tra spazio del pensiero e spazio dello scrivere. Si può lavorare, in particolare, superando o risolvendo il conflitto tra necessità di immediatezza e necessità di revisione, implicito nella produzione di un testo e difficilmente risolvibile senza l'ausilio del mezzo informatico, unico, in attesa di nuovi sviluppi (come l'interfacciamento vocale), a garantire il completo controllo del processo che parte dall'elaborazione delle idee e arriva alla stesura definitiva di un documento strutturato.

Rotta, Mario. Universita di Firenze. (Italian) Academic>Courses>Regional>Italy

Metodi di Comunicazione Tecnica

Il modulo si propone di fornire allo studente la conoscenza e gli strumenti per la gestione e lo sviluppo dell'informazione tecnica, soprattutto nel settore meccanico.

Paolo, Chiabert. Politecnico di Torino (2000). (Italian) Academic>Courses>TC

Modern Rhetorical Theory

With special attention to the rhetor-audience relationship, the course studies history and practice of modern rhetorical theory. The main idea is that you learn the classical elements of rhetoric in some detail and then practice applying them to contemporary texts, whether they are the ones you are writing or analyzing. I think you should use this course so you can better understand not only rhetoric, but other areas of study that you are interested in, whether it be technology, popular culture, or a discipline outside of English. Make this course work for you.

Applen, J.D. University of Central Florida. Academic>Courses>Theory>Rhetoric

Multimedia Design in Professional Communication

This course will focus on the fundamentals of developing digital multimedia using a range of software, hardware, and electronic equipment. Solid computer skills, knowledge of rhetoric, and basic web design skills are assumed, but no specific experience with multimedia technologies is prerequisite. Be prepared to approach multimedia vigorously and immersively.

Payne, Don. Iowa State University (2003). Academic>Courses>Multimedia

Multimedia Design in Professional Communication

This course will focus on the fundamentals of developing digital multimedia using a range of software, hardware, and electronic equipment. Through readings, class discussion and multimedia projects, you'll learn to apply rhetorical principles (audience analysis, invention, organization, style, design) to multimedia authoring; to learn production techniques for multimedia development (including CD-ROM, streaming video, DVD video and Flash interactivity), from storyboarding to nonlinear editing; to plan and manage collaborative multimedia projects; to master software genres commonly used for multimedia training program in education and industry.

Sauer, Geoffrey. Iowa State University (2004). Academic>Courses>Multimedia

Oral Presentations in Professional Settings

This course is designed to help you improve your oral presentation skills and strengthen your ability to make a good argument and communicate effectively to an audience. You will gain these skills by studying rhetorical principles, analyzing other presentations, and practicing your own speaking.

Ratliff, Clancy. University of Minnesota (2004). Academic>Courses>Presentations>Rhetoric

Organizational Communication (and Writing)

The practice of effective electronic group communication has evolved as a primary consideration for efficient management of engineering and other creative group projects, in similar lines of those handled by EMAC students and in other engineering disciplines

Roy, Debopriyo. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (2004). Academic>Courses

The Politics and Practices of Interface Design

This studio/seminar course will contribute to student’s practical and theoretical knowledge of user-centered interface design. In the move from Engineering English to Technical Communication, technical communicators increasingly work with and within computer interfaces, as content developers, as human-factors and usability experts, and as information designers. This course examines both the work of interface design, focused on web and multimedia interfaces, and the theory of such work, particularly where it intersects with critical and cultural theory. We’ll be looking at the development of user-centered and participatory design (Johnson, Ehn, Winograd), critical theories of technology (Foucault, Feinberg), and design strategies for critiquing or politicizing design (Laurel, Kolko).

Carter, Kellie Rae. Wayne State University (2004). Academic>Courses>User Interface

Principles and Concepts of Technical Communication

This site will be the locus of your one-hour class treating the core principles and concepts you'll likely encounter in developing an understanding of the basic framework of thought in technical communication.

Herrington, TyAnna K. Georgia Institute of Technology (2003). Academic>Courses>TC

Principles of Technical Communication

This 'syllaweb' is provided for an ASU-East Online Course. As a student in this class, you'll be: exploring the wide range of professional possibilities in the world of technical communication; learning and discussing principles and techniques for a variety of technical writing and communication tasks; developing an awareness for audience and purpose; understanding how all of these impact content, logic, and organization; practicing writing and document design.

Wambeam, Cynthia A. Arizona State University (2003). Academic>Courses>TC

Print Production

A spring 2002 tech comm course on offset printing, paper and graphic design for technical communicators.

Sauer, Geoffrey. University of Washington-Seattle (2002). Academic>Courses>Undergraduate

Professional and Technical Writing

According to the university catalog, the subject matter of WRT 307, Professional Writing, is: professional communication through the study of audience, purpose, and ethics; rhetorical problem-solving principles applied to diverse professional writing tasks and situations.

Murray, Joddy. Morrismurray.net (2002). Academic>Courses>Writing>Technical Writing

Professional Editing

This course is designed to be an introduction to the work of editing in a variety of settings. This screen provides your introduction to this site.

Williamson, William J. University of Northern Iowa (2003). Academic>Courses>Editing

Professional Report Writing

Instruction covers primary and secondary research techniques, analysis and interpretation of information, audience analysis, report design, format and graphics, and oral reporting. Instruction also covers writing in its social context and the management of complex research and writing projects.

Barker, Thomas. Texas Tech University (2004). Academic>Courses>Writing>Reports

Professional Report Writing

This course is designed to teach specialists in a wide variety of disciplines to  write clearly and effectively on their subject for both specialist and non-specialist audiences.  You will work intensively in the study and practice of the communication  activities that will ordinarily be expected of you in your professional career. This will include: * composing letters, memos, proposals, and reports * reviewing and editing the writing of others * researching information in the library, interviewing subject specialists, organizing research, and preparing a formal report * giving oral presentations summarizing research

Dragga, Sam. Texas Tech University (2001). Academic>Courses>Undergraduate>Reports

Professional Writing Mentoring

The main objective of this practicum is to encourage your pedagogical, technical, and professional development.

Romberger, Julia and Kate Agena. Purdue University (2003). Academic>Courses>Graduate>Education

Professional Writing Practicum/Cooperative Education

This course is designed to provide you with professional experience outside of the standard classroom.

Williamson, William J. University of Northern Iowa (2003). Academic>Courses>Writing>Professional Writing

Project Management for Professional Publications  

Managing technical publications—whether they be paper-based, web-based, or any of many electronic forms—requires skills in scheduling, budgeting, managing people, and the like. To that end, the core of the course will prepare the students to assume management roles in various businesses, industries, or governmental agencies.

Warren, Thomas L. Oklahoma State University (2002). Academic>Courses>Management>Project Management

Publishing and Its Implications, 1688-2005

One definition of rhetoric is the study of relationships between writers and readers. This course will review changes in publishing from 1688 to the present, considering implications for writers (particularly professional communicators), publishing, and reading audiences. The course will learn about, then examine in detail, the social impact of key innovations from this period.

Sauer, Geoffrey. Iowa State University (2005). Academic>Courses>Publishing>History

Reading and Writing the Web

The course provides a Humanities perspective on web design. It introduces students to basic issues and practices of web design, but also examines how web pages can be seen as texts that are amenable to rhetorical and cultural analysis.  Web sites embody 'architectures', which as MIT professor of architecture William Mitchell notes, raise many of the same issues of access, assembly, use, control, and community formation that occur with urban planning.  We will thus not only practice designing web pages, but we will also consider methods for interpreting and analyzing web sites.

Werry, Chris. San Diego State University. Academic>Courses>Web Design>Writing

Rhetoric 3301.03: Editing for Usage, Style and Clarity

Rhetoric 3301 is a writing course in which students work to improve their writing style and clarity while studying the conventions of standard usage.

Nahrwold, Cynthia. University of Arkansas-Little Rock (2002). Academic>Courses>Editing