{"title":"Reader perceptions in sequencing procedural graphics of complex machines","authors":"D. Roy, D. M. Sharp","doi":"10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245494","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245494","url":null,"abstract":"Research has traditionally supported the use of a text-graphics instructional base as an efficient way of demonstrating procedural graphics. The use of text with structural and functional information for understanding process graphics has been largely emphasized. Also, for proper understanding of sequential process graphics, configuration and the starting picture of the sequence has been stressed. But this article argues that fulfillment of these criteria do not necessarily solve the problem in a complex setting that involves multiple subassemblies, whereby a significant difference between the local and global context of the assembly arises. The non-availability of the entire assembly context in process graphics makes the reader prone to errors when transitioning from one subassembly to another, irrespective of the nature of aid used. But our findings show that readers using text as aid while making this transition actually perform better than those with outcome graphics as aid.","PeriodicalId":439913,"journal":{"name":"IEEE International Professional Communication Conference, 2003. IPCC 2003. Proceedings.","volume":"60 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":"126538118","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":"Web-based systems for communication and scheduling","authors":"H. ElAarag, R. Hartford","doi":"10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245491","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245491","url":null,"abstract":"Communication and scheduling are very important in today's computer driven world. People are bound to meetings, tasks, and other events that run their daily lives. In this paper, we present the design and implementation of a Web-based communication and scheduling system. Our goal was to create an efficient usable system that will allow users to stay in touch via e-mail and to provide a means for them to access their schedule from any where that is Web accessible whether it is a wired computer or a wireless mobile device. We discuss the problems we encountered in converting our Web application that we designed for a wired computer to its equivalent wireless interface.","PeriodicalId":439913,"journal":{"name":"IEEE International Professional Communication Conference, 2003. IPCC 2003. Proceedings.","volume":"457 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":"125805576","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":"Knowledge management and the teaching of technical communication: where does knowledge reside in the theory vs. practice debate?","authors":"C. Johnson","doi":"10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245512","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245512","url":null,"abstract":"This article looks at the current theory vs. practice debate in the teaching of technical communication from the viewpoint of knowledge management and transfer. Where does the most relevant knowledge reside and how best can it be communicated? In an attempt to answer this question, surveyed are eight articles from three journals, exploring the source of each and its position in relation to knowledge management. It is concluded that the workplace provides data, the academy provides information, but knowledge always resides in people. A secondary finding is that class issues still play a role in the techne vs. praxis debate. Theory has a higher status than practice and this disparity leads to exclusionary tactics that can limit knowledge generation and transfer, especially in regard to multicultural and multinational knowledge workers. A recommendation is that exclusionary practices should be avoided and language should be simplified in order to include the greatest possible number of participants in the knowledge-making process.","PeriodicalId":439913,"journal":{"name":"IEEE International Professional Communication Conference, 2003. IPCC 2003. Proceedings.","volume":"25 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":"125154698","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":"Applying usability engineering methodology to building a search agent for Web applications","authors":"M. Chatterjee, R. Grice, S. Adali","doi":"10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245481","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245481","url":null,"abstract":"Search agents can improve users' perceptions of how effective and efficient database retrieval is. In connection with an on-going project for community interaction, a search agent was designed with a strong theoretical basis and tested for effectiveness with the community of users.","PeriodicalId":439913,"journal":{"name":"IEEE International Professional Communication Conference, 2003. IPCC 2003. Proceedings.","volume":"56 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":"131930611","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":"Pro Yakyu and technical communication: performing cultural analysis with a baseball bat","authors":"Alexander Thayer","doi":"10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245516","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245516","url":null,"abstract":"Cross-cultural communication studies provide prescriptive lists of rules for managers and technical communicators to follow when they converse with members of other cultures. However, many of the existing studies focus on entire nations as homogeneous cultural groups, a drastic oversimplification that overlooks many potential variations in the national character. Before comparing the communication customs and practices of two countries, it is useful to identify' a specific cultural group that can serve as a microcosm of the national culture. Baseball comprises a single culture within both Japan and the US; the national character of each country has been infused into the game in each country, a process that reflects the specific characteristics and values of each culture. This paper provides an examination of the differences in these styles, an examination that yields surprisingly useful information for technical communicators with clients and teammates overseas.","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":"131006360","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":"Implementing a quality control model for technical communication instruction in an engineering curriculum: an update","authors":"P. Sageev, C. Romanowski, K. Bernard","doi":"10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245524","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245524","url":null,"abstract":"Already burdened with overloaded curricula and diminishing budgets, many engineering schools are struggling to implement recent accreditation directives to (1) ensure alt their graduates have the ability to communicate effectively; (2) demonstrate these capabilities via student outcomes; and (3) develop processes for continual improvement while few, if any, argue the legitimacy of this urgent need, many engineering schools face difficult implementation challenges. To help schools analyze their current technical communication (TC) status, devise strategies to overcome specific obstacles, and incorporate suggestions for improvement from pivotal stakeholders e.g., engineering professors, recent graduates, engineering employers, TC professionals, professional engineering organizations, we offer an experience-based, quality-control (QC) model as a framework for incorporating TC instruction and practice directly into an engineering curriculum.","PeriodicalId":439913,"journal":{"name":"IEEE International Professional Communication Conference, 2003. IPCC 2003. Proceedings.","volume":"12 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":"116556750","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 proposal for professional English language support for graduate schools in Japan: initial studies and preliminary results","authors":"T. Orr, I. Smith, H. Watanabe","doi":"10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245514","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245514","url":null,"abstract":"This paper describes initial studies and preliminary results of a project that was established to assess the professional English (PE) learning needs at Japanese graduate schools of science and technology in preparation for a formal proposal designed to address these needs in effective ways. The paper provides an overview of the research methodologies employed and previews the initial results obtained prior to publication of the full proposal which is scheduled for dissemination after completion of the project next year.","PeriodicalId":439913,"journal":{"name":"IEEE International Professional Communication Conference, 2003. IPCC 2003. Proceedings.","volume":"58 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":"127225648","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":"Content management strategy and heuristic evaluation of a model electronic portfolio: a rhetorical approach","authors":"Dwaipayan Roy, R. Grice","doi":"10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245480","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245480","url":null,"abstract":"This paper describes a study that was conducted to assess the effectiveness of electronic portfolios that students at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute develop to showcase their work. Evaluations were made of content-development strategies and rhetorical strategies. Recommendations for increasing the effectiveness of the electronic portfolios are made.","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":"114258008","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":"Documentation control and release - a two-edged sword","authors":"R. Floyd","doi":"10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245460","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245460","url":null,"abstract":"The success or failure of a manufacturing company depends on its product documentation - its correctness and availability. In the first instance, information collection, document formats, and revision control are important aspects to ensure the correctness of the information available. In the second case, the effective distribution of the information across an international user base as quickly as possible is critical to a successful manufacturing process. This paper documents control practices in the documentation process, including standards, process procedures, engineering change control and other aspects of control necessary to ensure that the documents are complete and accurate. In this particular example, the data base consists of approximately 7,000 engineering drawings, 300 process procedures, and 400 equipment and material specifications. The paper also explores approaches to electronic document distribution, providing current documentation on a near real-time basis as changes are implemented. Finally, the paper looks at the value of bilingual documents as an aid to the user community.","PeriodicalId":439913,"journal":{"name":"IEEE International Professional Communication Conference, 2003. IPCC 2003. Proceedings.","volume":"35 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":"126896543","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 applications knowledge of online learning platforms: an early adopter training perspective","authors":"D. Tesone, J. Gibson, C. W. Blackwell","doi":"10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245507","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/IPCC.2003.1245507","url":null,"abstract":"What do you get when you blend one part education technologist with three-parts business and hospitality management professors, each with more than six-years of continuous online teaching experience? You get early adopters of online learning environments (OLE) who are long-term IPCC members and conference participants. The purpose of this paper is to present an early adopter perspective based on the actual experiences of the authors, who recall the methods used to develop and deliver Web-based courses during the preplatform era. What is the value of the lessons learned by these early adopters? The rapid evolution of technology in general and more specifically, online courseware management software renders a current scenario in which online educators and technical support personnel lack an awareness of preplatform course design considerations. The individual who chooses to become engaged in OLE methodologies is best served by being presented with a training module on the individual applications of courseware management functions that are currently bundled into popular online platform software packages such as, WebCT/spl trade/, and Blackboard/spl trade/. Just as knowledge of DOS facilitates an understanding of graphical user interfaces (GUI) for personal computer users, awareness of the individual applications handled by platform software does enhance the awareness on the part of the OLE educator. The authors conclude that this knowledge is required for users to understand the pros and cons of platform participation.","PeriodicalId":439913,"journal":{"name":"IEEE International Professional Communication Conference, 2003. IPCC 2003. Proceedings.","volume":"60 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":"131857198","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}