Behind the Cameras: 10 Non-Instructional Issues to Consider When Coordinating a Distance Education Program with Other Institutions

When she learned that I would be teaching a course in her department, the department secretary made a mailbox for me and made sure that I received a copy of every memo and announcement distributed to the rest of the faculty. Other part-time faculty appreciated this service, so it became a part of the secretary's standard operating procedures. But I never received the mail because the mailbox was in Crookston, Minnesota and I taught the course by instructional television (ITV) from St. Paul, Minnesota, approximately 350 miles away.

Carliner, Saul. Saul Carliner Studio (2003). Articles>Education>Online>Collaboration

A Brief Guide to Communication Products Used in Online Learning

An overview of the various genres of information about online learning products.

Carliner, Saul. Saul Carliner Studio (2003). Articles>Editing>Online

The Common Beliefs and Practices of Technical Communicators

Although technical communicators are a diverse group, and our beliefs and practices span a spectrum, we share certain common beliefs and practices about our field.

Carliner, Saul. Saul Carliner Studio (2002). Resources>TC

Designing Wizards

prompting them only when they must make a decision. A wizard involves a structured series of dialogues that applies users’ responses to produce a result, such as installing software or writing a business letter. It is different from a tutorial and other online information in that it helps users accomplish a task, not teaches them how to do it. A wizard is a performance support tool; that is, it supports users as they perform a task. Because the system performs some of the work, it can seemingly bring a user to a higher performance level in less time than conventional training methods. But the cost can be a dumbing down of tasks. Users perform tasks without understanding them and aren’t aware of the underlying decisions. As a result, users may not be able to perform tasks if the system is down. You should use a wizard to build performance only when people can perform a task without knowing all of the steps.

Carliner, Saul. Saul Carliner Studio (2003). Design>User Interface>Wizards

Determining Constraints for e-Learning

One of the challenges of starting an e-learning are the constraints. If you don’t uncover them before you begin a project and choose software, the issues can come back to haunt you. Following are questions you can ask to determine the constraints you'll need to address when implementing e-learning in your organization. You might need to ask additional questions, but these should give you a good start.

Carliner, Saul. Saul Carliner Studio (2003). Articles>Education>Instructional Design>Online

Different Names, Similar Challenges: What's Behind the Rumored Merger of Instructional Design and Technical Communication

Instructional designers increasingly find technical communicators in their territory, as technical communicators find instructional designers. Is this increasing contact merely a coincidence, or does it portend an evolutionary merger of the two fields?

Carliner, Saul. Saul Carliner Studio (2001). Careers>Education>Instructional Design

Eight Ways to Use Authoring Tools to Improve Your Productivity with Drafting

Most authoring tools have features that can help you improve your productivity. You might be able to benefit from some of these suggestions now; keep the others in mind for future projects.

Carliner, Saul. Saul Carliner Studio (2003). Articles>Writing>Software

Eighteen Quick Tips for Designing Online Learning Exercises and Supplemental Information  

How do you develop effective online learning? This interactive half-day workshop introduces you to 18 techniques, including the must-ask questions of a needs analysis, the must-consider issues for writing objectives, different learning models you can incorporate into courses, ways to keep learners' attention, and tips for designing screens and writing for online presentation.

Carliner, Saul. Saul Carliner Studio (2003). Presentations>Education>Instructional Design>Online

How to Write Information So You Can Use It Again

You have written a user’s manual for Microsoft Word for Windows. Now you have been asked to write a user’s manual for Microsoft Word for the Macintosh. The two word processors are essentially the same; the primary differences emerge from the differences between Windows and Macintosh systems. You feel that you should be able to prepare the second manual in next to no time, because you can essentially use the information you wrote for the Word for Windows manual again, with some technical changes. This is an example of re-using information and it is a common task among technical communicators. As the demand for information grows faster than the availability of people to develop that information, technical communicators are showing increasing interest in reusing information.

Carliner, Saul. Saul Carliner Studio (2003). Articles>Content Management>Single Sourcing

Integrating the Web into Education for Technical Communication Majors: A Process-Oriented Approach

As the work of professional technical communicators has broadened in scope, so has the challenge of integrating this broader range of concerns into everyday practice.Within the academic world, the response has usually been separate courses.  Many undergraduate and master's programs in technical communication sport courses in usability testing, visual communication, project management, and technical writing and editing.

Carliner, Saul. Saul Carliner Studio (2002). Articles>Education>Online

Models, Processes, and Techniques of Information Design

Although graphic design and document design are important aspects of it, information design has a much broader focus than just the appearance of information. Its ultimate focus is on the effectiveness of that information.

Carliner, Saul. Saul Carliner Studio. Design>Information Design>TC

An Overview of the Technical Communication Industry

The more you know about the field, the more effectively you can find employment, market your services, develop your skills, develop perspective, and perform meaningful work.

Carliner, Saul. Saul Carliner Studio. Articles>TC

Resources on E-Learning for Academic Courses

A comprehensive collection of links to e-learning resources online.

Carliner, Saul. Saul Carliner Studio (2003). Resources>Directories>Education>Online

Resources on E-Learning for Training and Performance Support

A comprehensive collection of links to e-learning resources online for workplace training.

Carliner, Saul. Saul Carliner Studio (2003). Articles>Workplace>Education>Online

Resources on the Business and Management of Information Design Groups

The resources at this website assist you in managing the projects, people, and business of information design and development.

Carliner, Saul. Saul Carliner Studio. Design>Information Design

Theories, Techniques and Issues in Online Learning

This site describes what online learning is and identifies its major uses; identifies the four major types of online learning; provides an overview of the technology needed to make online learning happen; lists the project issues--that is, management and learning issues--that need to be addressed when developing materials for online learning.

Carliner, Saul. Saul Carliner Studio. Articles>Education>Instructional Design>Online

What Executives Must Know about E-Learning

So you’ve heard about this e-learning thing. Can it work in your organization? Before you make an assessment, consider these issues.

Carliner, Saul. Saul Carliner Studio (2002). Articles>Management>Education>Online