TPC 12 - Communication and Collaboration (Process and Systems II)

PRESCRIBED LEARNING OUTCOMES

• identify the technical and professional communications needs of fields and industries related to their career interests
• explain the legal, practical, and ethical importance of source documentation
• identify and describe various technologies that can be employed to achieve given communicative purposes
• appraise various communications media in terms of their respective strengths and limitations in meeting particular technical and professional communications needs

SUGGESTED INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES

• Have students in small groups brainstorm:
  • various technologies that can be employed to achieve specific communication purposes (e.g., CD-ROM; audio-visual equipment; acoustic equipment; photographic equipment; word-processing software; spreadsheet software; database software; presentation software; Internet software for accessing web sites, e-mail, electronic bulletin boards)
  • kinds of people familiar with the various technologies (career application)
  Then ask each student to select one of these people, develop interview questions (related to the skills needed and types of communications and communications technologies used), and conduct the interview. Suggest that students work in groups to share information and together compile career webs. Display the webs in a Gallery Walk for all students to review.
• Discuss legalities relating to technical and professional communications by having students examine and analyse documents such as the Advertising Standards Council code of standards and a copy or summary of the BC Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. In the discussion, address topics such as copyright and plagiarism, licensing, advertising standards, enterprise crime, and privacy.
• Invite former students pursuing postsecondary studies in technical or professional fields to speak to the class about communications requirements of their studies. Have students prepare questions such as:
  • What documentation conventions do you use?
  • What are the consequences of failure to observe these?
• Ask students to compare three different electronic encyclopedias using one search word. They should:
  • identify the features of each
  • list the advantages and disadvantages of each
  • recommend which would be the best research tool for given projects
  Use the same process to have students examine and compare other communications technologies.

SUGGESTED ASSESSMENT STRATEGIES

• When students conduct and report on interviews about technologies and media that can be used to achieve specific communication purposes, assess their understanding by considering:
  • the interview questions (focus on key aspects of the technology, draw on sound previous knowledge or research, address specific aspects of the technology, relate technology to purpose, allow for elaboration, invite unanticipated information)
  • the information reported (relevant, accurate, thorough, specific; includes both strengths and limitations in terms of specific needs)
• When students are preparing documents, ask them to explain the reasons for documenting sources. Look for evidence that they understand legal issues such as copyright and attribution, ethical considerations such as assistance to other researchers and recognition of contributions of others, and practical reasons, such as establishing credibility and ensuring that sources can be identified for further work.
• As students inquire into the communications needs of various fields, have them work in groups to develop and use forms for recording relevant information. Provide feedback about the accuracy and thoroughness of their records in terms of:
  • range and types of communication
  • use of communications technologies
  • relative importance of types of communication
  • most frequent purposes and audiences
  • special features of communication that are unique to the fields
• When students are planning specific projects or communications, have them include analyses of the potential contributions of various communications technologies and media. In some cases, they might make charts comparing strengths and limitations of two or more options they are considering. Look for evidence that they understand specific features and applications, make informed analyses and comparisons, and draw logical conclusions.

RECOMMENDED LEARNING RESOURCES

• Canadian Writer's Companion
• The Communications Handbook
• Effective Technical Communication
• Guidelines for Report Writing
• Impact
• Information Systems
• Leading Workshops, Seminars, and Training Sessions
• Multimedia Literacy
• Technical Communication
• Technical Writing: Principles, Strategies, and Readings
• Technical Writing: Situations and Strategies
• Technically-Write!

• Computer Integrated Manufacturing
• Extraordinary Answers to Common Interview Questions
• More Bloody Meetings
• Visions of Heaven and Hell

• Technical Writing, Sixth Edition

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