http://techcomm.stc.org Technical Communication Digital Jounal CMS Fri, 17 May 2013 18:14:25 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 http://techcomm.stc.org/2013/03/editorial-heuristics-in-our-professional-life-supporting-technical-communicators-without-holding-them-back/ http://techcomm.stc.org/2013/03/editorial-heuristics-in-our-professional-life-supporting-technical-communicators-without-holding-them-back/#comments Wed, 13 Mar 2013 18:21:04 +0000 admin http://techcomm.stc.org/?p=2911 Menno D.T. de Jong – This editorial addresses the role heuristics play in the dissemination and utilization of professional knowledge in technical communication and other disciplines. Because of their formats, heuristics may seem to suggest to replace practical wisdom of professionals or to formalize or simplify design or evaluation processes. Their true value, however, lies in supplementing professional expertise, creating awareness, and focusing attention.]]> http://techcomm.stc.org/2013/03/editorial-heuristics-in-our-professional-life-supporting-technical-communicators-without-holding-them-back/feed/ 0 http://techcomm.stc.org/2013/03/book-reviews-13/ http://techcomm.stc.org/2013/03/book-reviews-13/#comments Wed, 13 Mar 2013 18:21:03 +0000 admin http://techcomm.stc.org/?p=2947 Jackie Damrau, Editor – Each issue of Technical Communication includes a Book Reviews section covering the most relevant new books in the field. In this issue 29 new books are reviewed.]]> http://techcomm.stc.org/2013/03/book-reviews-13/feed/ 0 http://techcomm.stc.org/2013/03/the-use-of-online-collaborative-writing-tools-by-technical-communication-practitioners-and-students/ http://techcomm.stc.org/2013/03/the-use-of-online-collaborative-writing-tools-by-technical-communication-practitioners-and-students/#comments Wed, 13 Mar 2013 18:21:03 +0000 admin http://techcomm.stc.org/?p=2925 Jessica Behles – This article focuses on the use of online collaborative writing tools—such as wikis, online word processors, and learning management systems—by technical communication practitioners and students. Data were gathered using an online survey among 95 practitioners and 69 students. The results support the importance of online collaborative writing tools for technical communicators, but also highlight differences between practitioners and students.]]> http://techcomm.stc.org/2013/03/the-use-of-online-collaborative-writing-tools-by-technical-communication-practitioners-and-students/feed/ 0 http://techcomm.stc.org/2013/03/heuristics-for-broader-assessment-of-effectiveness-and-usability-in-technology-mediated-technical-communication/ http://techcomm.stc.org/2013/03/heuristics-for-broader-assessment-of-effectiveness-and-usability-in-technology-mediated-technical-communication/#comments Wed, 13 Mar 2013 18:21:03 +0000 admin http://techcomm.stc.org/?p=2915 Roger A. Grice, Audrey F. Bennett, Janice W. Fernheimer, Cheryl Geisler, Robert Krull, Raymond A. Lutzky, Matthew G.J. Rolph, Patricia Search, and James P. Zappen – This article describes a process of using and refining existing heuristics for broad application in the evaluation of various forms of technology-mediated communication. The heuristics are operationalized into specific metrics. The heuristics are applied in five different contexts: a Web site, an interactive image, a collaborative wiki, distance learning, and an information system.]]> http://techcomm.stc.org/2013/03/heuristics-for-broader-assessment-of-effectiveness-and-usability-in-technology-mediated-technical-communication/feed/ 0 http://techcomm.stc.org/2013/03/recent-relevant-9/ http://techcomm.stc.org/2013/03/recent-relevant-9/#comments Wed, 13 Mar 2013 18:21:02 +0000 admin http://techcomm.stc.org/?p=2997 Lyn Gattis, Editor – Each issue of Technical Communication includes a Recent & Relevant section, which highlights and summarizes articles in related journals that may be of interest to technical communication professionals and scholars.]]> http://techcomm.stc.org/2013/03/recent-relevant-9/feed/ 0 http://techcomm.stc.org/2013/03/current-state-of-u-s-undergraduate-degree-programs-in-technical-and-professional-communication/ http://techcomm.stc.org/2013/03/current-state-of-u-s-undergraduate-degree-programs-in-technical-and-professional-communication/#comments Wed, 13 Mar 2013 18:21:02 +0000 admin http://techcomm.stc.org/?p=2934 Lisa Meloncon and Sally Henschel – This article provides an updated overview of the available undergraduate programs in Technical and Professional Communication in the U.S., comparing the current situation to that of 2005. The results are based on a content analysis of the curricula of 65 programs, focusing on program names, requirements, content, and institutional embedding.]]> http://techcomm.stc.org/2013/03/current-state-of-u-s-undergraduate-degree-programs-in-technical-and-professional-communication/feed/ 0 http://techcomm.stc.org/2012/11/an-academic-ejournal-as-technical-communication-client-project-enculturation-production-and-assessment/ http://techcomm.stc.org/2012/11/an-academic-ejournal-as-technical-communication-client-project-enculturation-production-and-assessment/#comments Thu, 15 Nov 2012 18:10:57 +0000 admin http://techcomm.stc.org/?p=2838 Julianne Newmark and Julie Dyke Ford – This article describes a specific project in a Technical Communication major, in which students were made responsible for the production of an issue of an established ejournal. In addition to extensive information about the project and its place in the curriculum, the article also provides evaluation results of the course.]]> http://techcomm.stc.org/2012/11/an-academic-ejournal-as-technical-communication-client-project-enculturation-production-and-assessment/feed/ 0 http://techcomm.stc.org/2012/11/is-it-about-us-self-representation-of-technical-communication-consultants-independent-contractors-and-companies-on-the-web/ http://techcomm.stc.org/2012/11/is-it-about-us-self-representation-of-technical-communication-consultants-independent-contractors-and-companies-on-the-web/#comments Thu, 15 Nov 2012 04:37:57 +0000 admin http://techcomm.stc.org/?p=2833 John B. Killoran – This article explores the purposes, character, and efficacy of “about us” information that Technical Communication contractors, consultants, and companies post on their business Web sites. On the basis of survey and interview data, different strategies are explored. The results address, among other things, the issue of foregrounding a personal vs. a business profile.]]> http://techcomm.stc.org/2012/11/is-it-about-us-self-representation-of-technical-communication-consultants-independent-contractors-and-companies-on-the-web/feed/ 0 http://techcomm.stc.org/2012/11/three-types-of-childrens-informational-web-sites-an-inventory-of-design-conventions/ http://techcomm.stc.org/2012/11/three-types-of-childrens-informational-web-sites-an-inventory-of-design-conventions/#comments Thu, 15 Nov 2012 04:24:14 +0000 admin http://techcomm.stc.org/?p=2841 Hanna Jochmann-Mannak, Leo Lentz, Theo Huibers, and Ted Sanders – This article describes a content analysis of Web sites specifically aimed at children. The analysis results in a set of design conventions for children’s informational Web sites. In addition, a typology of three different types of children’s Web sites is proposed on the basis of the results.]]> http://techcomm.stc.org/2012/11/three-types-of-childrens-informational-web-sites-an-inventory-of-design-conventions/feed/ 0 http://techcomm.stc.org/2012/11/editorial-technical-communication-and-practical-wisdom/ http://techcomm.stc.org/2012/11/editorial-technical-communication-and-practical-wisdom/#comments Tue, 13 Nov 2012 14:09:11 +0000 admin http://techcomm.stc.org/?p=2828 Menno D.T. de Jong – This editorial focuses on the relevance of “practical wisdom” for technical communicators. Practical wisdom refers to the competencies to find the right way to do the right thing. Implications of this concept for academic programs, job design, and research are discussed.]]> http://techcomm.stc.org/2012/11/editorial-technical-communication-and-practical-wisdom/feed/ 0