Technical Communications and Instructional Design It’s all in the family, so what’s the difference? STC Meeting May 17, 2001 Kim Lambdin, M.Ed.

Technical Communications n Technical communications & technical writing... “…the process of creating, designing, and transmitting technical information so that people can understand it easily & use it safely, effectively, & efficiently.” (pg. 2) –It’s practical, communicates a body of information that will help an audience understand a subject or carry out a task

Addresses particular readers Technical Communications (disseminating information) Helps readers solve problems Furthers organizational goals Involves high tech tools Uses design to increase readability/usability Involves words and graphics

Technical Communicators n What do technical communicators do? –Write documents: manuals, proposals, reports, sales literature, letters, journal articles, speeches, write policies & procedures n Work closely with marketing, legal, design engineers, to create user friendly products

n Ability to communicate n Analytical skills, organizational skills n Writing skills n Technical skills n Project Management n Patience & perseverance Technical Communicators: Core Competencies

Instructional Design n What is instructional design? –A methodology for planning, developing, evaluating & managing the instructional process based on what we know about learning theories, information technology, systematic analysis & management methods –ID considers cognitive styles Styles describe a person's typical mode of thinking, remembering or problem solving.

Instruction Design n ID considers … – instruction from learner’s perspective rather than content –learner’s current skill set –clearly stated objectives –most appropriate teaching/learning method –evaluation/revision

Analyze Instructional Design (focus on learning) Dick & Carey “ADDIE R” model Design Develop Implement Evaluate Revise From this high level view, can this model be applied to technical communications?

What do instructional designers do? n Identify instructional problems n Examine learner characteristics n Identify subject content & analyze task components related to stated goals & purposes n State instructional objectives for learners n Develop evaluations to assess objectives & measure behavior changes

Instructional Designers: Core Competencies n Ability to do a needs assessment & task analysis n Ability to perform an audience analysis n Identify & write instructional goals, objectives n Design materials aligned with goals & objectives n Develop formative & summative evaluations n Measure knowledge & behavior gains n Revise as necessary

Needs Assessment Where should you be going? n Needs = gaps in results, consequences or accomplishments n A needs assessment identifies gaps between current results & desired results n Prioritize the needs n Select the most important ones

Audience/Learner Analysis skills n Identify characteristics descriptive of the target group, (no stereotypes) n Identify specific entry behaviors & skills required to begin instruction (the building blocks)

Task/Instructional Analysis n Analyze the domains - job & subject area n What are the relevant tasks & responsibilities for each area? n What tasks constitute competent performance for each subject/content area?

Identify/Write Objectives n A precise statement of what the learner should be able to do after instruction n Objectives serve as input documentation for the designer n Behavioral & performance objectives terminal objectives (all synonyms) –A terminal objective is an instructional goal converted to a behavioral goal

Instructional Strategies/Tactics n The methods of instruction to enhance learning n Designing materials & delivery methods aligned w/course goals n Select the optimal strategies & media

Formative & Summative Evaluations n Formative - a checking process during & at the end of the development of instructional materials n Summative - looks beyond design objective to overall worthwhile “ness” of the instruction to the organization or learner –Measures long term effectiveness

Writing skills User friendly design Audience Analysis Project Management Technical tools Investigative Refine/Revise All in the family Technical Writing Write docs to provide info End User perspective Focus on usability usability testing Synthesizes, disseminates information Instructional Design Write docs to instruct Learner’s perspective Behavioral Objectives Measure knowledge gains/behavior change