ERIC Number: EJ975797
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012-Jan
Pages: 18
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0047-2816
EISSN: N/A
Preparing Technical Communication Students to Function as User Advocates in a Self-Service Society
Cleary, Yvonne; Flammia, Madelyn
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication, v42 n3 p305-322 Jan 2012
The self-service nature of today's society means that technical communicators are needed more than ever before since users may find themselves struggling to make sense of online documentation with minimal support from the institutions that provide it. Certain demographics within the user population (older adults, disabled persons, non-native speakers) may face serious challenges when trying to use self-service documentation. Technical communication educators should prepare students to function as user advocates for members of these groups. Technical communication students need a thorough understanding of the challenges that may interfere with an audience's ability to use websites and other online documentation. This article suggests ways to help students gain this understanding through course content and by structuring service-learning and virtual team projects in which students can put their newly-developed understanding into practice.
Descriptors: Technical Writing, Electronic Publishing, Instructional Effectiveness, Communication Skills, Older Adults, English (Second Language), Disabilities, Writing Instruction, Course Content, Users (Information), Advocacy, Web Sites, Service Learning, Student Projects, Teamwork, Praxis
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A