How does STC's "ethical principles for technical communicators" aid in meeting STC's five "Society Goals"? What is the role of writing purpose and audience in meeting these goals and attending to these ethical principles?
Had the Society not used ethical strategies and practices in its technical communication, building partnerships would not be possible--no organization wants affiliation with something unethical. Promoting ethical standards is one definition of correct technical communication. Following ethical considerations is one way to improve technical communication no matter what audience the society writes for. And the society will not survive if ethical practices are not followed, for no clients will want them.
As every audience and client is unique, ethical considerations will vary.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Usability Memo Goals
I am testing for correct CPR (as evidenced by the correct follow through of directions on another individual), as well as effective compressions. I need to test multiple individuals on a variety of expertise levels on most of my instructions (maybe less of a focus on the 1-8 year old variation of CPR). Special considerations are timing; this needs to be done very quickly yet pretty accurately. Ideally I would like to test in a CPR certifying location with a dummy for the most accurate measure of results, however I will also test in a less formal scenario such as in my townhouse. I will tell the subjects to read the instructions and see how well they can follow through them, then ask for feedback on the strong and weak points of the instructions, and degrees of success measured in how many steps they take before messing up and where they express understanding or require clarification.
I'd prefer to use an official CPR dummy, but I may end up using a regular stuffed animal or doll. It has been suggested that I use two people at a time to 'mime' the instructions and evaluate the effectiveness of the follow-through. I'll probably use a questionnaire to evaluate as well.
My questionnaire will ask for an overall rating one to five with one being poor and five superior and for reasoning for the overall rating of my instruction set, requiring specific examples as positive or negative points. Asking for adjectives for certain points within the technical instructions will provide me with personalized feedback that expresses the test taker's sentiments as precisely as possible. I would also like to create an entry for suggesting improvements to my instructions.
I'd prefer to use an official CPR dummy, but I may end up using a regular stuffed animal or doll. It has been suggested that I use two people at a time to 'mime' the instructions and evaluate the effectiveness of the follow-through. I'll probably use a questionnaire to evaluate as well.
My questionnaire will ask for an overall rating one to five with one being poor and five superior and for reasoning for the overall rating of my instruction set, requiring specific examples as positive or negative points. Asking for adjectives for certain points within the technical instructions will provide me with personalized feedback that expresses the test taker's sentiments as precisely as possible. I would also like to create an entry for suggesting improvements to my instructions.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
CPR Technical Instructions Final
The link to my Google Docs CPR Technical Instructions final draft can be found here.
I wrote on this topic so that I could have both a novice point of view at the beginning and be able to look back at the end with much more understanding. I thought that this would be the best way to write it because then I could address people with various levels of understanding.
I wrote on this topic so that I could have both a novice point of view at the beginning and be able to look back at the end with much more understanding. I thought that this would be the best way to write it because then I could address people with various levels of understanding.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Usability Memo Thoughts
I can already tell this is going to take a while to do--not that there is anything wrong with that. This would need to have a pretty accurate simulation, but I know people will feel uncomfortable carrying these directions out. A reason I chose CPR is that I am learning how to do it by writing these technical directions, so I myself have the perspective of a novice initially, and someone who understands this process by the end of the project, which I think will serve my instructions for the better.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
CPR Technical Instructions
A few things I need to do with my technical instructions:
1. Include a diagram for reference
2. Get some of the intermediary and detailed steps. I only have a very basic overview of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and need to go into much more depth before I have an appropriate set of instructions.
3. Write down some warnings and caution about doing this procedure incorrectly for the reader. This can really hurt someone if it's not done right, or someone could die if the CPR isn't performed properly.
1. Include a diagram for reference
2. Get some of the intermediary and detailed steps. I only have a very basic overview of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and need to go into much more depth before I have an appropriate set of instructions.
3. Write down some warnings and caution about doing this procedure incorrectly for the reader. This can really hurt someone if it's not done right, or someone could die if the CPR isn't performed properly.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Blog Post 10/6
1. How to prepare for an advising appointment.
No instructions. No one has gone over what they still need to do, and it often requires the advisor for the whole thing. There needs to be a checklist available online. So overwhelming.
2. How to change your major or add a major/minor.
No instructions. No one knows where to go to do that, you have to figure it out. Plus its pretty complex.
3. How to write a resume/compile a portfolio.
Has instructions, but there are so many different types of resumes that people don't know about and you need to tailor your resume to your objective.
Bad things to write instructions on:
1. How to perform stunts that 'you should not attempt at home.'
2. How to hack computers.
3. How to steal money from a vending machine.
These are either dangerous or illegal, and not much good would come from these directions being available for people to use.
No instructions. No one has gone over what they still need to do, and it often requires the advisor for the whole thing. There needs to be a checklist available online. So overwhelming.
2. How to change your major or add a major/minor.
No instructions. No one knows where to go to do that, you have to figure it out. Plus its pretty complex.
3. How to write a resume/compile a portfolio.
Has instructions, but there are so many different types of resumes that people don't know about and you need to tailor your resume to your objective.
Bad things to write instructions on:
1. How to perform stunts that 'you should not attempt at home.'
2. How to hack computers.
3. How to steal money from a vending machine.
These are either dangerous or illegal, and not much good would come from these directions being available for people to use.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Final Dachshund Technical Description
The link to my final Google Docs Dachshund Technical Description is here.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Technical Instructions Brainstorm
How to hot wire a car? how to juggle? How to study abroad through WVU? How to become a millionaire in 5 easy steps? How to write a TV spec script? How to teach your dog a trick? How to apply to law school? How to make cookie bars? CPR? dye your hair? tie dye a shirt? ace an interview?
CPR wins.
CPR wins.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
