Module Details

Module Code: COMP9093
Title: Intro to Technical Comm.
Long Title: Intro to Technical Communication
NFQ Level: Expert
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2022/23 ( September 2022 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 4811 - Computer Science
Module Delivered in: 2 programme(s)
Module Description: This module focuses on developing skills to enable information developers to design and develop technical information. Students will learn how to write and design clear and effective scientific and technical information for documents and other user deliverables for diverse audiences ensuring user accessibility. Students will also learn to develop style conventions using best practices.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Assess the variety of information types and deliverables that may be required of information developers.
LO2 Appraise the roles and skills that may be required of an information developer.
LO3 Select and create style guides to ensure consistency in the presentation and delivery of information products.
LO4 Examine the process of developing information products within a team, write collaboratively, and deliver to timelines and user expectations.
LO5 Determine best practices, and conventions for developing a variety of effective information products to write for diverse audiences.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Types of information development
Roles and skills of information developers. Trends in information development. Concepts of Information 4.0 and Industry 4.0. Writing for documents and emerging technologies.
Information authoring
Types of content and information products. Structured versus unstructured information. Technology and tools used in information development. Types of information structure. Molecular versus topic-based and long-form authoring. Linear versus multi-dimensional authoring.
Writing styles and conventions
Best practices for effective information development. Developing style conventions and guides. Elements of style. Tone in documents. Word choices. Sentence structure. Language and grammar. Punctuation. Formatting documents. Mapping information.
Writing for audience/users
Understanding importance of audience and users. Audience and user analysis. Developing personas for information delivery. Writing styles for audience and user types. User context and context detection. User accessibility. Compliance with user accessibility standards: Americans with Disabilities Act Standards for Accessible Design (ADA) , EU Web accessibility guidance.
Collaborative writing
Writing as a team. Iterative process. Peer reviews and editing. Roles in collaborative writing. Document and information product planning. Task assignments.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Reflective Journal % of Total Mark 10
Timing Every Second Week Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5
Assessment Description
Participation in required online discussions based on assigned topics to demonstrate understanding and exploration of learning outcome subjects.
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 30
Timing Week 6 Learning Outcomes 3,4
Assessment Description
Design and develop a style guide that can be applied to a technical document and/or information product.
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 60
Timing Sem End Learning Outcomes 3,4,5
Assessment Description
Develop an information product for a defined audience, applying an appropriate style guide. The information development project is managed through peer review cycles and collaborative group work.
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Lecture delivering theory underpinning learning outcomes Every Week 2.00 2
Tutorial Contact Tutorial to support learning outcomes. Every Week 1.00 1
Lecturer Supervised Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Independent Study Every Week 4.00 4
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Lecture delivering theory underpinning learning outcomes Every Week 2.00 2
Tutorial Contact Tutorial to support learning outcomes. Every Week 1.00 1
Lecturer Supervised Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Independent Study Every Week 4.00 4
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Strunk, W.. (2011), The Elements of Style, Gutenberg Press, http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/37134, [ISBN: EBOOK 37134].
  • Atkinson, D., Corbitt, S.. (2021), Mindful Technical Writing: An Introduction to the Fundamentals, Open Textbook Library, Trails, Online: https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/textbooks/composing-mindfully-writing-fundamentals-atkinson.
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Budinski, Kenneth G.. (2001), Engineers Guide to Technical Writing, ASM International, [ISBN: 9781615031689].
  • Rude, Carolyn D., Eaton, Angela.. (2014), Technical editing, 5th ed.. Pearson, [ISBN: 978013393770].
  • Markel, M., Selber, Stuart A.. (2021), Technical Communication, 13th ed.. Mamillan, [ISBN: 9781319245009].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
  • PDF Online, IEEE Publishing Operations. (2020), IEEE Style Manual, http://journals.ieeeauthorcenter.ieee.or g/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/IEEE-Editor ial-Style-Manual-for-Authors-Online-v.04 -20-2021.pdf.
  • Online, Christiansen S, Iverson C, Flanagin A, et al.. (2020), AMA Manual of Style: A Guide for Authors and Editors, 11th ed., https://www.amamanualofstyle.com/, Oxford University Press.
  • Online, Microsoft. (2021), Microsoft Style Guide, https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/style-g uide/welcome/.
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_KINDD_9 Master of Science in Technical Communication 1 Mandatory
CR_KIDDE_9 Postgraduate Diploma in Science in Technical Communication 1 Mandatory