Welcome to Technical Welcome to Technical CommunicationsCommunications

Enl 1977Enl 1977

OverviewOverview

Course structureCourse structure Course scheduleCourse schedule Student assessmentStudent assessment Course policiesCourse policies

Course StructureCourse Structure

Unit OneUnit One– Background knowledge and skillsBackground knowledge and skills

Unit TwoUnit Two– Collaborative writingCollaborative writing

Unit ThreeUnit Three– Report writingReport writing

Course ScheduleCourse Schedule

Unit One: 5 weeksUnit One: 5 weeks– Lessons 1, 2, 3, and 4—one week eachLessons 1, 2, 3, and 4—one week each– One week to prepare Project OneOne week to prepare Project One

Unit Two: 5 weeks Unit Two: 5 weeks – Lessons 5, 6, 7, and 8 --one week eachLessons 5, 6, 7, and 8 --one week each– One week to prepare Project TwoOne week to prepare Project Two

Unit Three: 3 weeks Unit Three: 3 weeks – Lessons 9 and 10 one week eachLessons 9 and 10 one week each– One week to prepare Project ThreeOne week to prepare Project Three

Student AssessmentStudent Assessment

Project One: 15%Project One: 15% Project Two: 15%Project Two: 15% Project Three: 20%Project Three: 20% Final Exam: 50%Final Exam: 50%

Course PoliciesCourse Policies

Students must finish one unit before starting Students must finish one unit before starting the next.the next.

Email is the “default” means of Email is the “default” means of communication with me*. communication with me*.

Communication, on my part, is reactive; if I Communication, on my part, is reactive; if I don’t hear from you, I assume all is well. don’t hear from you, I assume all is well.

Late assignments must approved before the Late assignments must approved before the due date. due date.

Unit One: DetailsUnit One: Details

LessonsLessons AssignmentsAssignments ProjectProject Due datesDue dates

Unit One: LessonsUnit One: Lessons

Unit One will look at a series of exercises Unit One will look at a series of exercises designed to build knowledge and skills in designed to build knowledge and skills in certain key areas:certain key areas:– Site navigationSite navigation– Internet navigationInternet navigation– OrganizationOrganization– Writing mechanicsWriting mechanics

Lesson OneLesson One

Blackboard (Bb) site navigationBlackboard (Bb) site navigation– Explore the Bb site to know where al the course Explore the Bb site to know where al the course

elements areelements are ClassmatesClassmates

– Introduce yourself to the class and read about Introduce yourself to the class and read about your classmates.your classmates.

Discussion BoardDiscussion Board– Understand how to use this important resource.Understand how to use this important resource.

Lesson TwoLesson Two

Textbook introductionTextbook introduction– Students will read the first two chapters of the Students will read the first two chapters of the

textbook as an introduction to technical textbook as an introduction to technical communication and writing strategies. communication and writing strategies.

Internet navigation and mappingInternet navigation and mapping– Using the “External Links” students will Using the “External Links” students will

explore and organize Internet sites into a useful explore and organize Internet sites into a useful resource for use throughout the course.resource for use throughout the course.

Lesson ThreeLesson Three

SyntaxSyntax– A slide show presents some fundamentals and A slide show presents some fundamentals and

terminology used in analyzing the mechanics of terminology used in analyzing the mechanics of writing.writing.

SemanticsSemantics– Another slide show introduces the aspects of Another slide show introduces the aspects of

language associated with meaning. language associated with meaning.

Lesson FourLesson Four

The products of technical communicationThe products of technical communication– Chapters 8, 9, and 10 of the textbook are Chapters 8, 9, and 10 of the textbook are

studied with a view to understanding the types studied with a view to understanding the types of technical communication products:of technical communication products:

» Letters, faxes, memos and emailsLetters, faxes, memos and emails

» ProposalsProposals

» Reports Reports

Assignments: general Assignments: general considerationsconsiderations

All quizzes in this course have three All quizzes in this course have three attempts. attempts.

You must get 100% on the quiz by the third You must get 100% on the quiz by the third attempt to get any marks for it.attempt to get any marks for it.

Marks are tabulated as part of Project One. Marks are tabulated as part of Project One.

Unit One: 9 AssignmentsUnit One: 9 Assignments

Lesson OneLesson One– L1-a, L1-b, L1-cL1-a, L1-b, L1-c

Lesson TwoLesson Two– L2-a, L2-bL2-a, L2-b

Lesson ThreeLesson Three– L3-a, L3-bL3-a, L3-b

Lesson FourLesson Four– L4L4

Lesson One: AssignmentsLesson One: Assignments

L1-a: there is a short Bb quiz (10 questions) L1-a: there is a short Bb quiz (10 questions) based on the site content and navigation.based on the site content and navigation.

L1-b: all students are asked to post a brief L1-b: all students are asked to post a brief introduction on their student page. introduction on their student page.

L1-c: the Discussion Board feature of the L1-c: the Discussion Board feature of the course site is explored here– you are asked course site is explored here– you are asked to post a message and reply to one.to post a message and reply to one.

Lesson Two: AssignmentsLesson Two: Assignments

L2-a: There is a detailed quiz on chapters 1 L2-a: There is a detailed quiz on chapters 1 and 2 of the textbook. It is designed to test and 2 of the textbook. It is designed to test student’s ability to re-read documents and student’s ability to re-read documents and notice details, rather than to test retention.notice details, rather than to test retention.

L2-b: Students explore the External Links L2-b: Students explore the External Links and organize them into a useful resource. and organize them into a useful resource. The grammar sites, for example, will be The grammar sites, for example, will be needed for the next lesson. needed for the next lesson.

Lesson Three: AssignmentsLesson Three: Assignments

L3-a: the syntax Bb quiz is difficult and L3-a: the syntax Bb quiz is difficult and involves unfamiliar grammatical terms. involves unfamiliar grammatical terms.

L3-b: the semantics Bb quiz is also difficult L3-b: the semantics Bb quiz is also difficult and could require Internet research to and could require Internet research to complete.complete.

You are also asked to read Chapter 5 as it You are also asked to read Chapter 5 as it will help with writing style. will help with writing style.

Lesson Four: AssignmentsLesson Four: Assignments

L4: is a textbook Bb quiz based on chapters L4: is a textbook Bb quiz based on chapters 8, 9, and 10. It is like the L2-a quiz, only 8, 9, and 10. It is like the L2-a quiz, only longer. longer.

Unit One: Project OneUnit One: Project One

All the marks for the first unit are based on All the marks for the first unit are based on Project One. Project One.

The project is a self-assessment report The project is a self-assessment report wherein students explain their progress in wherein students explain their progress in the first unit.the first unit.

The report combines review of the first unit, The report combines review of the first unit, application of the skills learned, and application of the skills learned, and development of strategies for success in the development of strategies for success in the rest of the courserest of the course. .

Unit One: Due DatesUnit One: Due Dates

Lesson One: Lesson One: Jan. 23Jan. 23 Lesson TwoLesson Two Jan. 30Jan. 30 Lesson Three:Lesson Three: Feb. 6Feb. 6 Lesson Four:Lesson Four: Feb. 13Feb. 13 Project One: Project One: Feb. 20Feb. 20 NOTE: READ THE PROJECT ONE NOTE: READ THE PROJECT ONE

DESCRIPTION FIRST AND WORK ON DESCRIPTION FIRST AND WORK ON IT CUMMULATIVELY. IT CUMMULATIVELY.

Unit Two: DetailsUnit Two: Details

Lessons/AssignmentsLessons/Assignments ProjectProject Due datesDue dates

Unit Two: LessonsUnit Two: Lessons

Unit Two concerns collaborative writing. Unit Two concerns collaborative writing. You will be assigned to a group of four You will be assigned to a group of four

students.students. Although it is a group project, all Although it is a group project, all

submissions and grades are individual. submissions and grades are individual. Each student is responsible for submitting Each student is responsible for submitting

six documents.six documents.

Unit two: DocumentsUnit two: Documents

Each student will submit an outline, a draft Each student will submit an outline, a draft and a final copy of a summary of one of the and a final copy of a summary of one of the four chapters in this unit (3,4,6, and 7).four chapters in this unit (3,4,6, and 7).

Each student will also submit a review of an Each student will also submit a review of an outline, a draft, and a final copy of each of outline, a draft, and a final copy of each of the other chapters respectively.the other chapters respectively.

Unit Two: Lesson FiveUnit Two: Lesson Five

This unit is based on chapters 3,4,6, and 7, This unit is based on chapters 3,4,6, and 7, and you should begin by reading them.and you should begin by reading them.

L5-a: groups are required to decide which L5-a: groups are required to decide which member will summarize which chapter and member will summarize which chapter and how the reviews will be delegated.how the reviews will be delegated.

L5-b: a group Chat session will be L5-b: a group Chat session will be scheduled to finalize the delegation. scheduled to finalize the delegation.

Unit Two: Lesson SixUnit Two: Lesson Six

L6-a: students write an outline of the L6-a: students write an outline of the chapter they are summarizing. chapter they are summarizing.

L6-b: the outline is then sent to the L6-b: the outline is then sent to the delegated reviewer and one is received for delegated reviewer and one is received for review. review.

It is important to read all four chapters so It is important to read all four chapters so that reviews are well informed. that reviews are well informed.

Unit Two: Lesson SevenUnit Two: Lesson Seven

L7-a: once students have revised and L7-a: once students have revised and incorporated reviewer’s suggestions, they incorporated reviewer’s suggestions, they write a first draft of their chapter summary.write a first draft of their chapter summary.

L7-b: the exchange procedure is repeated L7-b: the exchange procedure is repeated for draft revision: students send out their for draft revision: students send out their drafts to a different reviewer and receive a drafts to a different reviewer and receive a draft of a different chapter to review. draft of a different chapter to review.

Unit Two: Lesson Eight Unit Two: Lesson Eight

L8-a: Having examined the reviewer’s L8-a: Having examined the reviewer’s comments, students are ready to write the comments, students are ready to write the final copy of their respective chapter final copy of their respective chapter summaries. summaries.

L8-b: This final copy is sent to yet a L8-b: This final copy is sent to yet a different member of the group to be different member of the group to be proofread and a final copy is received for proofread and a final copy is received for proofreading. proofreading.

Unit Two: Project TwoUnit Two: Project Two

All the marks for the second unit of the All the marks for the second unit of the course are allocated in Project Two.course are allocated in Project Two.

Each of the six documents (the three phases Each of the six documents (the three phases of a chapter summary and the the three of a chapter summary and the the three reviews) are all graded individually and reviews) are all graded individually and each student is given a mark out of 15. each student is given a mark out of 15.

Unit Two: Due DatesUnit Two: Due Dates

Lesson Five: Lesson Five: March 6March 6 Lesson Six:Lesson Six: March 13March 13 Lesson Seven:Lesson Seven: March 20March 20 Lesson Eight: Lesson Eight: March 27March 27 Project Two: Project Two: April 3April 3 Students are responsible for scheduling the Students are responsible for scheduling the

revisions so that they can submit Project revisions so that they can submit Project Two on time.Two on time.

Unit ThreeUnit Three

In this unit students combine the skills, In this unit students combine the skills, knowledge and resources learned in the first knowledge and resources learned in the first two units and produce a presentation and a two units and produce a presentation and a report.report.

There are only two lessons in this unit. The There are only two lessons in this unit. The first lesson is a tutorial on using first lesson is a tutorial on using PowerPoint, and the second involves the PowerPoint, and the second involves the preparation of slides for a proposal.preparation of slides for a proposal.

Unit Three: Lessons/Assignments Unit Three: Lessons/Assignments

There is no assignment associated directly There is no assignment associated directly with Lesson Ninewith Lesson Nine

L10: Students prepare five or six power L10: Students prepare five or six power point slides that outline their report for point slides that outline their report for Project Three.Project Three.

Unit Three: Project ThreeUnit Three: Project Three

Students submit a two-part report on Students submit a two-part report on plagiarism. plagiarism.

The first part is the slides from Lesson Ten. The first part is the slides from Lesson Ten. These can be submitted at the same time as These can be submitted at the same time as the report, giving students two weeks to the report, giving students two weeks to prepare the project. prepare the project.

The second part is the report itself. It is The second part is the report itself. It is worth 20% of the final grade (15 for the worth 20% of the final grade (15 for the report and 5 for the presentation)report and 5 for the presentation)

Unit Three: Due DatesUnit Three: Due Dates

Students should, at this point, have a good Students should, at this point, have a good idea how long a report takes to prepare and idea how long a report takes to prepare and are thus allowed to schedule the writing as are thus allowed to schedule the writing as they see fit, so long as they meet the Project they see fit, so long as they meet the Project Three deadline. Three deadline.

Lesson Nine: Lesson Nine: April 10 (suggested)April 10 (suggested) Lesson Ten: Lesson Ten: April 17 (suggested)April 17 (suggested) Project Three: Project Three: April 24April 24

Final ExamFinal Exam

The final exam will be scheduled with and The final exam will be scheduled with and written at your registering college.written at your registering college.

The exam is based on the textbook and The exam is based on the textbook and students are responsible for all chapters students are responsible for all chapters including chapters 11 and 12 which should including chapters 11 and 12 which should be reviewed before the exam. be reviewed before the exam.