Room 42

In this episode we delve into the topic of expanding the sphere of collaboration for communicators to include Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Humanities, and Mathematics professionals in the development of training and instruction materials. 

Kylie M. Jacobsen is an Assistant Professor of Writing at Grand Valley State University. Her research focuses on user experience research methods in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Humanities, and Mathematics (STEAM)  environments, specifically analyzing the emotional journey of learning. In this episode, we talk about why technical comprehension improves when you add the A to STEAM.

When it comes to creating training and instruction materials, addressing the learner’s ability to grasp advanced concepts is critical for instructional designers. A recent longitudinal study of students in reading and writing mathematical arguments suggests that input from Arts & Humanities professionals positively impacted performance. If you have a “How To” anywhere in your sphere then this chat is for you. 

For transcript, links, and show notes:  https://tccamp.org/episodes/why-technical-comprehension-improves-when-you-add-the-a-to-steam/

In this episode we discuss futures and foundations in technical and professional communications. By rethinking and re-imagining the traditional processes, an illustration of a range of knowledge and practices that comprise the field emerges. 

Dr. Joanna Schreiber is an Associate Professor of Technical and Professional Communication in the Writing and Linguistics Department at Georgia Southern University. Her research interests include project management, technical and professional communication programs, and technical editing. Her work has been published in Technical Communication Quarterly, Technical Communication, and the Journal of Technical Writing and Communication. Joanna currently serves as treasurer for the Council for Programs in Technical and Scientific Communication (CPTSC).

We also explore the evolution of editing, how diversity and inclusion style changes have affected technical editing work, and editorial processes for improving accessibility. We will be introduced to a new book coming out Spring 2021 and you will be invited to be a part of new research beginning this Fall! Time permitting, we’ll also talk about one of Joanna's other passions, her rescue pups!

For transcript, links, and show notes:  https://tccamp.org/episodes/why-shifting-the-way-we-think-revolutionizes-how-we-communicate/

In this episode we discuss Kirk St.Amant's prior work in examining psychology, usability, and design and talk about a new approach he’s been working with, called “scalable usability,” in which he combines ideas from intercultural communication with concepts from cognitive psychology to identify usability expectations in different contexts.

Kirk St.Amant is a Professor and the Eunice C. Williamson Endowed Chair of Technical Communication at Louisiana Tech University, and he is also the Director of Louisiana Tech’s newly formed Center for Health and Medical Communication. His research focuses on the psychology of usability and applying cognitive models to understand audience expectations and user preferences in different settings.

For transcript, links, and show notes: https://tccamp.org/episodes/scalable-localization-and-the-psychology-of-usability-and-design

In this episode, we discuss a longitudinal research project (Patient Experience Design) on information design and patient education materials that has led to new insights into how technical communicators can understand foundational concepts of audience and contexts.

Lisa Melonçon is a Professor of Technical and Professional Communication at the University of South Florida and incoming interim department chair in English. Her research focuses on programmatic issues in technical and professional communication as well as in user experience specific to health and medical settings.

For transcript, links, and show notes:   https://tccamp.org/episodes/why-audience-contexts-matter-to-content-creators/

Why should practitioners care about research and journals? Ah, that’s the question, isn’t it?

George Hayhoe worked a technical communicator in industry for 17 years, taught for 19 years, and has always spent part his career editing journals like STC’s Technical Communication and the IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication. He has co-authored and co-edited three books, including “A Research Primer for Technical Communication.”

George says that these three things—professional practice, teaching, and journal editorship—have informed his approach to the role of the technical communicator. In this session, learn more about how practitioners and researchers work together to advance the profession.

We’re looking forward to exploring the answer to this question and others in Room 42.

For transcript, links, and show notes:   https://tccamp.org/episodes/why-practitioners-should-care-about-research/