Educating Engineers to Communicate in the 21st Century: University of California, Santa Barbara's First Year Engineering Communication Sequence  

The Engineering Writing sequence at the University of California, Santa Barbara, teaches fundamental college writing and research skills emphasizing the discourse and genres common to professional engineering. The first quarter emphasizes library, electronic-database, and literature-type searches, culminating in a literature review on a current technological topic. The second quarter integrates primary research and interviewing with the above, while the students design solutions to actual university building and plant resource problems. The third quarter involves advanced issues of document design and publication, as students post web sites not only pertinent to this year's theme, Engineering and the Environment, but also useful to the local community.

Yatchisin, George, LeeAnne Kryder, Marty Williams and Mark Kerr. STC Proceedings (1998). Articles>Education>Writing>Engineering

Education and Research Professional Interest Committee Focus Group on Technical Communication Research  

The 1995 E and R PIC Focus Group on Technical Communication Research will continue the dialogue begun at STC annual conferences in 1993 and 1994. The 1993 Focus Group discussed partnerships between the Society, industry, and the academy, while the 1994 one discussed planning initiatives for technical communication education.

Batorsky, Barry J., Saul A. Carliner, John James Conklin, Jeffrey L. Hibbard, Kenneth T. Rainey, Stuart A. Selber, Sherry G. Southard and Katherine E. Staples. STC Proceedings (1995). Articles>Research

Education and Training Stem Overview  

The field of technical communication is transforming at a rapid rate, responding to scientific and technological advancements, economic pressures, and social changes. This makes our field exciting and challenging. The excitement and challenge is intensified for educators and trainers, because we must stay high on the learning curve in order to help prepare others to meet the challenges and prosper by the changes. At the same time, we must be sure to integrate new knowledge, technologies, and skills with what is valuable in the old rather than simply letting the new displace the old.

Hirst, Russel. STC Proceedings (1996). Presentations>Education>TC

Education in Scientific and Technical Communication: Types of Programs  

Currently there is no clear typology of academic programs in technical communication. Lacking this typology. discussions of quality in academic programs necessarily run the risk of overgeneralization. Thirteen authors are working to produce a book which fills this gap. This program, in a modified progression format, previews results of the authorsâï¿ï¿ work, including profiles (with examples) of eight of the ten types ofprograms that have been identified: PhD programs, MS programs, MA programs, BS programs, BA programs, minors, non-degree programs, and new and different program types.

Keene, Michael L. STC Proceedings (1995). Articles>Education>TC

Education, Training, and Professional Development Stem Overview  

Education, training, and professional development remain central interests of the Society. In this program stem, more than thirty high-quality sessions emphasize four areas of continuing interest to educators, trainers, students, and other professionals.

Rainey, Kenneth T. STC Proceedings (1994). Articles>Education>Professionalism

Education, Training, and Professional Development Stem Overview  

Responding to the concerns and issues we face, the workshops, panels, papers, discussions, and demonstrations in the Education, Training, and Professional Development Stem share common experiences, uncommon insights, and bold forecasts for the future to enlighten our community of technical communicators.

Hawkes, Lory. STC Proceedings (1993). Articles>Education>Professionalism

Education, Training, and Research Stem Overview  

Whether we are new or experienced technical communicators, formal and continuing education and training are vital for our careers. And the basis for much of our education and training is developed from research.

Armbruster, David L. STC Proceedings (1995). Articles>Education>Research

Education: Issues within the STC Academic Community  

STC supports students through scholarships, the honor fraternities, and recognition of student chapter achievements. STC members provide a network for information and contacts for employment. The academic community can strengthen its ties to STC by encouraging students to apply for the awards and recognitions and to take advantage of the network of professionals.

Smith, Elizabeth Overman 'Betsy'. STC Proceedings (2005). Articles>Education>Community Building>STC

The Effect of Hyperlink Wording on User Performance  

A Web-based study is underway to examine the effect of the wording of local navigational links in hypertext documents on user performance. We anticipate that more concretely labeled links will enhance user performance, specifically comprehension and perceptions of an informational Web site. In the study, subjects will log in remotely and complete a content knowledge test and background surveys; they will browse a test Web site and complete another knowledge test and a questionnaire on perceptions of the site. Log file data will be collected. Results will be analyzed and presented.

Mobrand, Kathryn A. and Jan H. Spyridakis. STC Proceedings (2002). Design>Web Design>Information Design

The Effect of Informative, Intriguing, and Generic Hyperlink Wording on Web Browsing Behavior  

This paper presents a study of the effect of informative, intriguing, and generic hyperlink wording on Web browsing behavior. The study was administered via the Web using a modified naturally occurring informational Web site. Link wording was varied in both the navigation menu and links embedded in the text. Data about participants' browsing behavior were logged with PHP scripts, and demographics, perceptions, and comprehension were measured through a post-browsing survey. Data from the study are being analyzed and will be presented at the conference.

Evans, Mary B., Carolyn Wei, Matt Eliot, Jen Barrick, Brandon Maust, and Jan H. Spyridakis. STC Proceedings (2004). Articles>Web Design>Diction>Hypertext

The Effect of Text Structure on Text Comprehension of Japanese and American Readers  

This paper presents the preliminary findings from a study that sought to determine whether Japanese and American readers’ comprehension of expository text is similarly affected by text organization. Results are presented and discussed with regard to their implications for technical communicators.

Spyridakis, Jan H. and Waka Fukuoka. STC Proceedings (2001). Presentations>Language>International>Writing

Effective Project Planning  

Our roles as technical communicators are often dictated to us by other people. Clients come to us after their product has already been developed, saying, 'I need a manual,' or 'I've written the necessary procedures--just make them look nice. ' It's easy to fall into the trap of just doing what we're told when we're told to do it.

Hansen, Lauren Y. STC Proceedings (1997). Careers>Project Management>Planning

Effective Technical Graphics  

This presentation examines ineffective technical graphics with problems in simplicity, orientation, and scale. It identifies principles of effective graphic communication that could prevent such problems, and clarifies objectives and techniques in designing editing and preparing technical graphics for printed documents and briefing materials. Graphics principles illustrated by transparencies include avoiding clutter, orienting properly, controlling scales, checking the content, and avoiding extraneous graphics. message, and that the table title or figure caption focuses clearly on the subject of the graphic.

Samson, Donald C., Jr. STC Proceedings (1993). Design>Graphic Design>Technical Illustration>Visual Rhetoric

Effective Trends and Techniques for Integrating Type and Images  

The integration of type and images can create a visual/verbal message for both print and on-line. To create this visual-verbal message, two problems must be resolved. First, visual organization is a problem, for two totally unlike systems of communication that must be merged into a cohesive whole. The second problem involves message making. These two unlike communication systems must come together to reinforce and extend one another. To effectively integrate type and images together it is essential to have a strong understanding of the elements and principles of design.

Miller, Susan G. STC Proceedings (2001). Presentations>Typography

Effects of Documentation Errors On User Perception of Interactive Programs: Background For a Study  

Typographical errors and grammatical blunders affect the aesthetic appeal of documentation, and common belief is that they affect usability too. Many readers, however, seem not to notice such errors unless they are very frequent or flagrant. We thought it would be interesting, and perhaps useful, to test experimentally the effect of such errors on users’ perception of the information and on their performance with the product that the information supports the product.

Grice, Roger A. STC Proceedings (1994). Articles>Documentation>Interactive>Multimedia

Effects Of Documentation Errors On User Perception Of Interactive Programs: Conclusions And Results  

Defining the quality of information has long been a controversial item. Many different theories and methodologies have been brought forward; almost all share at least one common basis— Typographical errors lower the perceived quality of information. In this experiment, the first of a planned, series, we examined the effects of typographical on the user’s perception of the quality of the product and documentation. The conclusions of this first study, and the implications we can make draw them, are presented in this paper.

See, Edward J.P. STC Proceedings (1994). Presentations>Documentation>Assessment

Effects Of Documentation Errors On User Perception Of Interactive Programs: Results  

It would be useful to determine how much effect errors in product documentation have on users, if errors do not seriously interfere with product use. In an effort to start collecting information on this issue, we designed an experiment to explore the reactions of users to a simple interactive program with flawed documentation. We hypothesized that the product quality would be judged in part by the quality of the documentation, if the errors in the documentation interfered with task performance. We also hypothesized that some but not all users would be sensitive to documentation errors and would downgrade their rating of the program and the documentation based on these errors. The results of our experiment are presented in this paper.

Ridgway, Richard K. STC Proceedings (1994). Presentations>Documentation>Assessment

Effects of Documentation Errors on User Perception of Interactive Programs: The Experimental Design  

It would be useful to determine how much effect errors in product documentation have on users, if the errors do not seriously interfere with product use. In an effort to start collecting information on this issue, we designed an experiment to explore the reactions of users to a simple interactive program with flawed documentation. We hypothesized that product quality would be judged in part by the quality of the documentation, if the errors in the documentation interfered with task performance. We also hypothesized that some but not all users would be sensitive to documentation errors and would downgrade their rating of the program and the documentation based on these errors. Our experimental design is described in this paper.

Ridgway, Lenore S. STC Proceedings (1994). Articles>Documentation>Usability

The Effects of Information Design on Perception of Environmental Risk  

Communication about environmental risk is important and problematic. A few prior researchers have explored the impact of information design in this area. This paper describes research done involving one common graphic tool, the risk ladder. Risk ladders explain the magnitude of risk from an environmental hazard, often by including comparative information about more familiar risks.

Campbell, Kim Sydow. STC Proceedings (1998). Design>Information Design>Environmental>Rhetoric

The Effects of Online Systems on Documentation Management  

Online tools can improve documentation management in several ways, depending on management goals of cost, schedule, or quality. Cost management tools need integration with automated status and quality assessment tools. Workflow simulation tools show great promise for avoiding bottlenecks in the document development process. Automated tools can enforce quality checkpoints and provide model document templates. The continual evolution of online documents will require new management approaches and goals.

Reilly, Annette D. STC Proceedings (1996). Presentations>Documentation>Online

Electrify Your Work: Empowerment  

We’ve all heard about empowerment. It means being innovative, taking risks, reaping rewards. But how do you apply it to your work? How can you empower yourself and others? This demonstration examines the true meaning of empowerment and offers time-tested scenarios to drive the points of empowerment home. See the empowered individual; feel the teamwork blossom; and learn how to “just say no”!

Walech-Roth, Laura L. STC Proceedings (1994). Presentations>Workplace>Collaboration

Electronic Editing in Technical Communication: Different Strokes for Different Folks  

The author conducted a multi-modal study of electronic editing practices, impacts, and attitudes among technical communicators. Data were gathered from focus groups and face-to-face and telephone interviews, as well as from email discussions and responses to open-ended questions on a Web-based survey. Observations based on a preliminary analysis of this data will be presented and discussed.

Dayton, David. STC Proceedings (1999). Articles>Editing>Online

Electronic Editing: Results of a Dual-Mode Survey  

The preliminary results from an STC-sponsored survey of electronic editing practices, impacts, and attitudes will be presented. In addition to a full-scale survey of a random sample of STC members, the research included a pilot survey administered on the World-Wide Web and a pretest using email software that automates the survey administration process. The potential advantages and problems associated with these innovative survey methods will be discussed.

Dayton, David. STC Proceedings (1999). Articles>Editing>Online

Electronic Image Manipulation - Technological Advances and Ethical Considerations  

Electronic imaging has enabled the desktop publisher to capture and manipulate images to produce documents that are both attractive and cost-effective. In addition to making basic corrections such as balancing colors and improving highlight and shadow detail, the desktop publisher can retouch photographs and other artwork to repair damaged areas, eliminate distracting elements, or alter composition. However, the ease of manipulation has, in some cases, overshadowed the many ethical issues that desktop publishers need to consider. Integrity of the image, ownership of artwork, and copyright laws are some of the issues that desktop publishers must confront.

Adams, Rae and Stephanie S. Babbitt. STC Proceedings (1993). Articles>Graphic Design>Image Editing>Ethics

Electronic Information Kiosks: A New Online Genre for Technical Communicators  

Kiosk design is an inevitable extension of the development of online documentation. Technical communicators are now frequently being asked by their employers to create such forms of communication. They must learn about kiosks from the new perspectives of their evolving technologies, applications, audience reactions, social contexts, and information design. Finally, technical communicators must begin to view kiosks as an emerging new genre that requires both analysis and creativity.

Shirk, Henrietta Nickels. STC Proceedings (1996). Articles>Documentation>Online