Pub Date : 2003-11-17DOI: 10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245459
B. Albing
With the growing complexity of software, especially object-oriented products, and the speed at which it is being brought to the market, technical communicators are challenged to create complete and accurate documentation with shortened schedules and fewer human resources. The dependence on automated tools is inevitable, but the use of these tools does not always provide a complete solution without the involvement of talented technical communicators. This paper considers in detail some of the issues with developing software product documentation that must include both human-authored content as well as automatically generated content. Settling on a compromise of performance and usability, the author details the benefits of a set of tools and methods that handle the mix of information types. It is the active role of the technical communicator in working with this combination - not a passive role of simply formatting content - that is the key to the successful development of software product documentation.
{"title":"Combining human-authored and machine-generated software product documentation","authors":"B. Albing","doi":"10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245459","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245459","url":null,"abstract":"With the growing complexity of software, especially object-oriented products, and the speed at which it is being brought to the market, technical communicators are challenged to create complete and accurate documentation with shortened schedules and fewer human resources. The dependence on automated tools is inevitable, but the use of these tools does not always provide a complete solution without the involvement of talented technical communicators. This paper considers in detail some of the issues with developing software product documentation that must include both human-authored content as well as automatically generated content. Settling on a compromise of performance and usability, the author details the benefits of a set of tools and methods that handle the mix of information types. It is the active role of the technical communicator in working with this combination - not a passive role of simply formatting content - that is the key to the successful development of software product documentation.","PeriodicalId":439913,"journal":{"name":"IEEE International Professional Communication Conference, 2003. IPCC 2003. Proceedings.","volume":"8 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2003-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"116899052","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2003-11-17DOI: 10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245502
C. Branmer, Kim Sydow Campbell
As the discipline of technical and professional communication continues to develop, it is important to look to our past as a way of understanding who and what we are. In this paper, we report the results of a study using the IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication to help us answer questions such as: How multidisciplinary is the field of professional communication? What disciplines inform the field of professional communication? Who produces knowledge within the field? How is that knowledge developed and expanded? What are the main subjects or themes in professional communication? Finally, how have these changed over the past 25 years? Answering these questions can provide insight into the history of professional communication and illuminate some of the ways in which the interests of academics and practitioners shape the discipline.
{"title":"IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication: shaping and reflecting a discipline","authors":"C. Branmer, Kim Sydow Campbell","doi":"10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245502","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245502","url":null,"abstract":"As the discipline of technical and professional communication continues to develop, it is important to look to our past as a way of understanding who and what we are. In this paper, we report the results of a study using the IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication to help us answer questions such as: How multidisciplinary is the field of professional communication? What disciplines inform the field of professional communication? Who produces knowledge within the field? How is that knowledge developed and expanded? What are the main subjects or themes in professional communication? Finally, how have these changed over the past 25 years? Answering these questions can provide insight into the history of professional communication and illuminate some of the ways in which the interests of academics and practitioners shape the discipline.","PeriodicalId":439913,"journal":{"name":"IEEE International Professional Communication Conference, 2003. IPCC 2003. Proceedings.","volume":"113 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2003-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"126634505","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2003-11-17DOI: 10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245506
M. Haselkorn
This paper examines the role of the chief information officer (CIO) in large, technology-dependent organizations and argues that technical communication is an indispensable component of the training and experience required to fulfil this role. This is demonstrated by examining the nature of the systems that the CIO is responsible for and the importance of technical communication skills and perspectives to fulfilling this responsibility. At the level of the CIO, the systems being managed are complex, dynamic and "open", with issues like "system integration" being far more about balancing cross-organizational perspectives and tensions than they are about technical issues. The CIO's office provides the glue that integrates the many facets and perspectives of an enterprise-wide ICT system, and the fundamental skills of the CIO include communication, facilitation, team-building, and creative use of information tools - central skills of technical communicators.
{"title":"Chief information officers and technical communication","authors":"M. Haselkorn","doi":"10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245506","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245506","url":null,"abstract":"This paper examines the role of the chief information officer (CIO) in large, technology-dependent organizations and argues that technical communication is an indispensable component of the training and experience required to fulfil this role. This is demonstrated by examining the nature of the systems that the CIO is responsible for and the importance of technical communication skills and perspectives to fulfilling this responsibility. At the level of the CIO, the systems being managed are complex, dynamic and \"open\", with issues like \"system integration\" being far more about balancing cross-organizational perspectives and tensions than they are about technical issues. The CIO's office provides the glue that integrates the many facets and perspectives of an enterprise-wide ICT system, and the fundamental skills of the CIO include communication, facilitation, team-building, and creative use of information tools - central skills of technical communicators.","PeriodicalId":439913,"journal":{"name":"IEEE International Professional Communication Conference, 2003. IPCC 2003. Proceedings.","volume":"20 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2003-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"125980794","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2003-11-17DOI: 10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245485
J. Doumont
The abstract or executive summary is a powerful communication device and a mandatory component of many documents: it allows document selection, informs some readers satisfactorily, and orients the others about the rest of the document. Stilt, engineers, scientists, and other professionals are often unsure about what to include in it: for lack of a suitable model, they write it haphazardly or by imitation, omitting parts that are needed for selection or including unnecessary details. This paper proposes a simple but solid paradigm for constructing effective abstracts, based on fifteen years of training and consulting practice. My recommendation to the participants of my training programs is to structure the abstract or executive summary in two parts. The first part (the before,) motivates both the work done and the document, with the necessary context, the need for the work, the task completed, and the object of the document. The second part (the after) conveys the message by stating the findings, interpreting them in a conclusion, and possibly looking ahead in perspectives. This paradigm was successfully put to the test in technical, scientific, and business documents. Besides helping create better abstracts, it helps authors get over any "writer's block".
{"title":"Effective executive summaries: a simple but solid paradigm","authors":"J. Doumont","doi":"10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245485","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245485","url":null,"abstract":"The abstract or executive summary is a powerful communication device and a mandatory component of many documents: it allows document selection, informs some readers satisfactorily, and orients the others about the rest of the document. Stilt, engineers, scientists, and other professionals are often unsure about what to include in it: for lack of a suitable model, they write it haphazardly or by imitation, omitting parts that are needed for selection or including unnecessary details. This paper proposes a simple but solid paradigm for constructing effective abstracts, based on fifteen years of training and consulting practice. My recommendation to the participants of my training programs is to structure the abstract or executive summary in two parts. The first part (the before,) motivates both the work done and the document, with the necessary context, the need for the work, the task completed, and the object of the document. The second part (the after) conveys the message by stating the findings, interpreting them in a conclusion, and possibly looking ahead in perspectives. This paradigm was successfully put to the test in technical, scientific, and business documents. Besides helping create better abstracts, it helps authors get over any \"writer's block\".","PeriodicalId":439913,"journal":{"name":"IEEE International Professional Communication Conference, 2003. IPCC 2003. Proceedings.","volume":"17 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2003-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"126017646","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2003-11-17DOI: 10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245503
A. Gaal, S. Steward
The interface between academics and professionals is important to both the academy and industry. Students entering the field need a solid theoretical foundation and an understanding of the application of theory to real world communication problems. Without this knowledge, these new technical communicators may find themselves in subservient roles to other disciplines or as nothing more than glorified tool jockeys. The academics can show professionals in industry how theory can work in an actual application while professionals can help academic programs by contributing to curricula and program objectives based on industry trends. The current interface between academics and professionals does exist, but not without weakness.
{"title":"Defining the interface between technical communication academics and professionals","authors":"A. Gaal, S. Steward","doi":"10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245503","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245503","url":null,"abstract":"The interface between academics and professionals is important to both the academy and industry. Students entering the field need a solid theoretical foundation and an understanding of the application of theory to real world communication problems. Without this knowledge, these new technical communicators may find themselves in subservient roles to other disciplines or as nothing more than glorified tool jockeys. The academics can show professionals in industry how theory can work in an actual application while professionals can help academic programs by contributing to curricula and program objectives based on industry trends. The current interface between academics and professionals does exist, but not without weakness.","PeriodicalId":439913,"journal":{"name":"IEEE International Professional Communication Conference, 2003. IPCC 2003. Proceedings.","volume":"22 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2003-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"121748593","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2003-11-17DOI: 10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245466
N. Coppola
This case study describes interactive learning in an online environment in which technical communication students use a digital construction kit (OMEGA) to collaboratively design a product, write assembly instructions, and test another teams' work. It presents an example of using readily-available software, Microsoft Visio, in designing instructional projects. The theoretical framework (constructivism, engagement theory, and simulation) for the project is presented, followed by outcomes and lessons learned.
{"title":"Developing a virtual simulation game for elearning","authors":"N. Coppola","doi":"10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245466","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245466","url":null,"abstract":"This case study describes interactive learning in an online environment in which technical communication students use a digital construction kit (OMEGA) to collaboratively design a product, write assembly instructions, and test another teams' work. It presents an example of using readily-available software, Microsoft Visio, in designing instructional projects. The theoretical framework (constructivism, engagement theory, and simulation) for the project is presented, followed by outcomes and lessons learned.","PeriodicalId":439913,"journal":{"name":"IEEE International Professional Communication Conference, 2003. IPCC 2003. Proceedings.","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2003-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"123211146","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2003-11-17DOI: 10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245521
R. McDaniel, L. Pollard
Knowledge management is now a recognized force in the corporate world. Today's companies grudgingly acknowledge information as a source of capital and realize how important it is to have an established methodology for managing and distributing this information. Proven techniques for knowledge management are still lacking, however. information systems, or networks of interconnected computers and data storage devices, provide an environment in which information overload is a very real problem and threatens to severely limit the capabilities of information managers. In this type of environment, a means for managing tacit knowledge is critical.
{"title":"Tacit knowledge in information systems","authors":"R. McDaniel, L. Pollard","doi":"10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245521","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245521","url":null,"abstract":"Knowledge management is now a recognized force in the corporate world. Today's companies grudgingly acknowledge information as a source of capital and realize how important it is to have an established methodology for managing and distributing this information. Proven techniques for knowledge management are still lacking, however. information systems, or networks of interconnected computers and data storage devices, provide an environment in which information overload is a very real problem and threatens to severely limit the capabilities of information managers. In this type of environment, a means for managing tacit knowledge is critical.","PeriodicalId":439913,"journal":{"name":"IEEE International Professional Communication Conference, 2003. IPCC 2003. Proceedings.","volume":"320 19","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2003-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"120880868","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2003-11-17DOI: 10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245525
J. Moshell
The purpose of this paper is to contemplate the birth of two related disciplines - digital media and dynamic media - by reflecting on fifteen years of experience at the University of Central Florida. During this interval, several research and creative initiatives converged, leading to today's School of Film and Digital Media with 25 faculties and nearly 1000 students.
{"title":"The dynamic media initiative or, running for the frontier, one step ahead of the dictionary","authors":"J. Moshell","doi":"10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245525","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245525","url":null,"abstract":"The purpose of this paper is to contemplate the birth of two related disciplines - digital media and dynamic media - by reflecting on fifteen years of experience at the University of Central Florida. During this interval, several research and creative initiatives converged, leading to today's School of Film and Digital Media with 25 faculties and nearly 1000 students.","PeriodicalId":439913,"journal":{"name":"IEEE International Professional Communication Conference, 2003. IPCC 2003. Proceedings.","volume":"34 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2003-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"128385866","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2003-11-17DOI: 10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245497
C. Kampf, B. Longo
How does the technical communication curriculum prepare students for an increasingly "projectized" workplace? Theories of knowledge management, communities of practice, and project management practices are key concepts that our students need to be able to both understand and work within a "projectized" environment. So how can we as teachers go beyond the outcome of understanding concepts and help our students shape their own practice as project team participants and future project managers? We will present our experiences teaching and developing curriculum for project management in the Technical Communication undergraduate program at the University of Minnesota.
{"title":"Shaping project management concepts for technical communication students","authors":"C. Kampf, B. Longo","doi":"10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245497","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245497","url":null,"abstract":"How does the technical communication curriculum prepare students for an increasingly \"projectized\" workplace? Theories of knowledge management, communities of practice, and project management practices are key concepts that our students need to be able to both understand and work within a \"projectized\" environment. So how can we as teachers go beyond the outcome of understanding concepts and help our students shape their own practice as project team participants and future project managers? We will present our experiences teaching and developing curriculum for project management in the Technical Communication undergraduate program at the University of Minnesota.","PeriodicalId":439913,"journal":{"name":"IEEE International Professional Communication Conference, 2003. IPCC 2003. Proceedings.","volume":"21 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2003-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"116831477","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2003-11-17DOI: 10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245467
Robert K. Irish
This paper presents a case study of an engineering writer learning to use Toulmin logic as a strategy for writing. Before the case, Toulmin logic is explained in terms of two concepts: force and criteria, and elements of argument. Then, a pedagogical approach and several classroom exercises are explained to illustrate the ways in which Toulmin logic has been introduced to the students. Finally, the engineer's writing is analyzed through four iterations. His revisions reveal that he has absorbed the ideas of tightening the warranting of claims to though unconsciously. These results suggest that Toulmin's model is useful not only for helping writers to improve their organization, but also for helping them shape the ideas themselves.
{"title":"The uses of Toulmin: the value of an explicit model of argument for academic and working engineers","authors":"Robert K. Irish","doi":"10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245467","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245467","url":null,"abstract":"This paper presents a case study of an engineering writer learning to use Toulmin logic as a strategy for writing. Before the case, Toulmin logic is explained in terms of two concepts: force and criteria, and elements of argument. Then, a pedagogical approach and several classroom exercises are explained to illustrate the ways in which Toulmin logic has been introduced to the students. Finally, the engineer's writing is analyzed through four iterations. His revisions reveal that he has absorbed the ideas of tightening the warranting of claims to though unconsciously. These results suggest that Toulmin's model is useful not only for helping writers to improve their organization, but also for helping them shape the ideas themselves.","PeriodicalId":439913,"journal":{"name":"IEEE International Professional Communication Conference, 2003. IPCC 2003. Proceedings.","volume":"111 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2003-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"124051280","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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