Title
Preparing Technical Communication Students To Function As User Advocates In A Self-Service Society
Abstract
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. © 2012, Baywood Publishing Co., Inc.
Publication Date
1-1-2012
Publication Title
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Volume
42
Issue
3
Number of Pages
305-322
Document Type
Article
Personal Identifier
scopus
DOI Link
https://doi.org/10.2190/TW.42.3.g
Copyright Status
Unknown
Socpus ID
84865223138 (Scopus)
Source API URL
https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/84865223138
STARS Citation
Cleary, Yvonne and Flammia, Madelyn, "Preparing Technical Communication Students To Function As User Advocates In A Self-Service Society" (2012). Scopus Export 2010-2014. 5535.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/scopus2010/5535