{"title":"Information architecture - visual displays","authors":"H. E. McNay","doi":"10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245478","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245478","url":null,"abstract":"The information age did not slow down with the thinning of the \"dot com's.\" The amount of information thrust upon the senses of a human in the United States today is overwhelming. Therefore the need for trained individuals to organized data into logical and pleasing structures is growing. This role has been labeled information architect in many companies and universities. This practice involves not only logistics of gathering, organizing and maintaining the data; but also the recognition of the psychology and needs of the users as they receive the data. The basics of information architecture apply to small pieces of information as well as to overall book or Web site design. One could use the basics to structure a usable site. However Web site technologies offer, new challenges and the information architect cannot rely on traditional methods of data organization such as the Sunday paper or telephone directory. The information architect must explore all options when presenting data and when creating navigation to multiple sources of information. And always keep in mind that the best technique is to determine how you want the information to be found.","PeriodicalId":439913,"journal":{"name":"IEEE International Professional Communication Conference, 2003. IPCC 2003. Proceedings.","volume":"52 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":"124174745","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}
{"title":"Shaping knowledge for graying audiences: where are the technical communicators?","authors":"G. Lippincott","doi":"10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245475","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245475","url":null,"abstract":"Populations worldwide are aging at a dramatic rate, and researchers in many disciplines are studying the effects of aging. Technical communicators, however, do not seem aware of these important trends. This article suggests that we need to incorporate interdisciplinary research on aging into our practice and teaching. The first step is to operationalize the demographic of age as a complex variable in our audience analysis. Then we need to conduct and publish our own research on the communication and documentation needs of older adults.","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":"125625112","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}
{"title":"Effects of declarative information in instructions for use","authors":"J. Karreman, M. Steehouder","doi":"10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245463","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245463","url":null,"abstract":"Adding declarative information to the essential procedural information in instructions for use might have different effects. Previous research examined the effect of declarative information on the ability to work with the system that is described in the instructions. However, the results of the various experiments were not conclusive. Moreover, other possible effects of declarative information were never investigated before. In the present experiment, the effects of two different types of declarative information on task performance, on cognitive load and on self-efficacy were examined. The results demonstrated that the two types of declarative information negatively affected cognitive load and self-efficacy ratings. The effects on task performance were positive, but moderate.","PeriodicalId":439913,"journal":{"name":"IEEE International Professional Communication Conference, 2003. IPCC 2003. Proceedings.","volume":"46 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":"134395015","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}
{"title":"An engineer prepares: a classic acting text reshaped for engineering presentations","authors":"P. Weiss","doi":"10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245523","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245523","url":null,"abstract":"Engineers can get their hands on extremely fine advice for improving oral presentation skills. However, putting this advice into practice is often frustrating; so professional and student engineers turn to coaches, who must have skills similar to those developed by directors of theatre and film. In fact, in five years of teaching oral communication to engineers, the author has made increasing use of the vocabulary of the rehearsal room and actors' studio. Particularly relevant, though not at all obvious, are the concepts of Constantin Stanislavski, the pioneer of the twentieth century approach to acting. In this paper, the author discusses how adapting these classic acting training techniques and adding them to familiar approaches appropriate to engineering can help engineers improve their talks, elevating them from bland recitations to motivated and directed presentations.","PeriodicalId":439913,"journal":{"name":"IEEE International Professional Communication Conference, 2003. IPCC 2003. Proceedings.","volume":"6 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":"126550855","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}
{"title":"Issues in globalizing a U.S. government Website","authors":"M. Evans","doi":"10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245515","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245515","url":null,"abstract":"The author applied findings from international technical communication research to compare and contrast two informational Websites: a U.S. government Website (response.restoration.noaa.gov), which she had designed, and an analogous French government Website (www.le-cedre.fr). The Websites reflect contrasting rhetorical choices made by their designers, suggesting that some substantial cross-cultural differences among Websites within a genre may be rhetorical in nature rather than surficial. The author suggests five areas where future research could lead to guidelines for Website globalization.","PeriodicalId":439913,"journal":{"name":"IEEE International Professional Communication Conference, 2003. IPCC 2003. Proceedings.","volume":"50 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":"115361283","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}
{"title":"A constructivist perspective on knowledge management","authors":"P. Tuten","doi":"10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245486","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245486","url":null,"abstract":"Can knowledge be isolated, captured, and transferred between individuals within an organization? From an interdisciplinary perspective, grounded in recent information systems research, this paper presents an overview of knowledge management, describes a constructivist view of knowledge, and draws a clear distinction between the concepts of 'data', 'information', and 'knowledge'. Based upon this framework, the author discusses the implications of such a perspective on knowledge management. While this outlook demands a variable, contextual, and constructed view of knowledge, it also underscores the importance of persuasive communication as a means to shape an individual's understanding.","PeriodicalId":439913,"journal":{"name":"IEEE International Professional Communication Conference, 2003. IPCC 2003. Proceedings.","volume":"70 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":"114423580","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}
{"title":"The Professional Engineering Genres (PEG) Project","authors":"R. House, A. Watt, J.M. Williams","doi":"10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245493","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245493","url":null,"abstract":"This paper reports on research work being conducted by faculty at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. In the spring of 2002, technical communication faculty developed an online survey instrument designed to gather information from alumni of Rose-Hulman about the genres of communication they use most in their professional engineering practice. Initially used to survey mechanical engineering alumni, the survey has been expanded to include electrical computer, and civil engineering alumni as well. This paper explains the primary research questions we investigated and shows how the survey instrument was designed to answer those questions. Next, results from the first survey of mechanical engineers are given, with particular focus on one common genre-the progress report-as it functions within two different work environments. Finally, results from subsequent surveys are outlined in order to demonstrate the applications of this research to classroom practice, both in technical communication and in engineering.","PeriodicalId":439913,"journal":{"name":"IEEE International Professional Communication Conference, 2003. IPCC 2003. Proceedings.","volume":"472 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":"123448544","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}
{"title":"The angst of the anthologist: lessons learned while preparing the second edition of writing and speaking in the technology professions","authors":"D. F. Beer","doi":"10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245488","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245488","url":null,"abstract":"Several observations can be made when comparing the material available for an anthology of articles from the IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication in 1992 and again in 2002. Having had the opportunity to produce both editions of such a book, I have also had the chance to compare numerous submissions that have appeared in the Transactions over the years. How the articles have changed in nature is the topic of this paper, and I have also made some observations on how these changes might be seen by a variety of readers.","PeriodicalId":439913,"journal":{"name":"IEEE International Professional Communication Conference, 2003. IPCC 2003. Proceedings.","volume":"138 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":"126173997","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}
{"title":"The incommensurability of 'faster, better, cheaper': NASA's rhetorical bind","authors":"H. Constantinides","doi":"10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245498","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245498","url":null,"abstract":"Ideally, decisions in technical organizations are made on the basis of science; in reality, these decisions are frequently subject to, and outweighed by, political or economic pressures. This phenomenon may be illuminated by examining project management from the perspective of systems theory. Discussed in this paper is the project management within the context of systems theory, using NASA's losses of the Mars Polar Lander and the Mars Climate Orbiter as examples. NASA uses the \"faster, better, cheaper\" (FBC) approach to project management. However, this approach embodies goals that are incommensurable: \"faster\" is a political goal; \"better\" is a scientific goal; and \"cheaper\" is an economic goal. NASA thus faces a rhetorical bind, in which its ostensible goal, \"better,\" becomes subordinate to the goals of \"faster\" or \"cheaper,\".","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":"128573112","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}
{"title":"CMS as mindtools for enbancing student engagement in advising and assessment: Lessons learned from design of math advisor","authors":"G. Reece, C.H. Roberts, H.Q. Khoury","doi":"10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245508","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245508","url":null,"abstract":"What strategies for online, open-ended learning environments can we use to integrate technology into mathematics advising for adult learners and help them assess their current situation? This paper targets communicators, educators, information system developers, and training professionals who are interested in integrating technology into a special-purpose WebCT project. It introduces the topic by providing background on (a) satisfaction reports for online learning; (b) information on student engagement, meaningful learning, and technology; and (c) strategies for using technology in teaching and learning. Then, we describe the Math Advisor project for the five Mercer University Regional Academic Centers: (a) Atlanta; (b) Douglas; (c) Henry County; (d) Eastman; and (e) Macon (residential campus) and our goals for evaluating current skills in mathematics and aligning learning objectives and outcomes. Last, it describes a method for developing a custom, special-purpose course in WebCT and explores lessons learned from the project","PeriodicalId":439913,"journal":{"name":"IEEE International Professional Communication Conference, 2003. IPCC 2003. Proceedings.","volume":"42 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":"126569122","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}