Red Deer College GET105 – Technical Communication for Engineers Course Outline INSTRUCTORS: Writing & Communication Skills: TBA Microsoft Productivity Software Skills: TBA OFFICE HOURS:

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ACADEMIC CALENDAR ENTRY: Use industry standard software tools to collect, summarize and organize data in order to aid in critical decision making processes. Employ professional presentation and communication skills to exchange data and information in an expert manner. COURSE STRUCTURE: This course is divided into two equal sections: (a) Writing & Communication Skills and (b) Microsoft Productivity Software Skills. Each section is worth 50% of the final course mark. Each section must be passed with a 50% minimum grade and all projects in each section must be completed in order to receive a passing grade in the course. LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students who successfully complete this course will be able to: Writing & Communication Skills Recognize the importance of communicating effectively in writing Understand and apply the purpose, problems, and processes of written technical communications in the workplace Analyze and adapt to various technical writing situations Understand and apply the key phases of project management communication Create documents that are grammatically and stylistically correct and effectively anticipate the audience’s information needs Use the concepts of technical writing to self-assess your documents and critically evaluate others' work Meet deadlines similar to those found in technical workplaces Create and present professional presentations, including PowerPoint slides Microsoft Productivity Software Skills Organize and manage computer files for easy and efficient retrieval Use MSWord to develop well-organized and easily-readable documents that demonstrate the efficient use of various tools and features, including, but not limited to: o Editing and formatting tools o Page layout tools, including those that facilitate the creation of multi-section documents o More advanced tools, including Shapes, SmartArt, Tables, Symbols and Equations Use MSExcel to develop well-organized and easily-readable spreadsheets that demonstrate the efficient use of various tools and features, including, but not limited to: o Data positioning and formatting 1

o Styles & Themes; Tables & Charts o Efficient organization of data for both print and online viewing o Cell referencing; Industry-specific formulas & functions; Defined names o Sorting and filtering data Apply principles of effective presentations, use MS PowerPoint to create professional and well-organized presentations that demonstrate the efficient use of various tools and features, such as: o Various PowerPoint design features o Visual enhancement, including the use of Shapes, SmartArt, Tables, Symbols and Equations o Slideshow presentation, including the use of Transitions, Animations and Show Setup Demonstrate proficiency with Microsoft’s OLE technology to link and embed objects between software applications

Writing & Communication Skills Course Information POTENTIAL COURSE TOPICS AND SCHEDULE: Week 1 2 3 4

Class Topic Introduction Characteristics of Writing at Work Writing for your Readers Writing Ethically Achieving a Readable Style Designing Documents Designing Illustrations

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Emails, Texts, Memos and Letters Technical Reports

7 8

Proposals and Progress Reports Instructions, Procedures and Policies

9 10

Oral Reports Work Time – Reports and Presentations

11 12

Presentations – In class Resumes and Job Applications

13

Course Review (if time)

Readings/Assignments Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Test 1 – Chapters 1-6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Business Correspondence Due Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Progress Report Due Chapter 11; Instructions Due Note: a “workshop” week to prep for upcoming assignments Chapter 12 Final Report Due Test 2 – Chapters 7-11

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LEARNING ACTIVITIES: You will learn the concepts in this course through lectures, class discussions, videos, in-class exercises (both interpersonal and written), and informal group work. Many of the assignments are coordinated with assignments in the Writing & Communication Skill section of this course, or with other courses – e.g. you may submit a PowerPoint project to your Writing & Communication Skills instructor to be marked for content, and submit an electronic copy of the PowerPoint to your MPS instructor to be marked for efficient use of software tools. POTENTIAL REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS AND EQUIPMENT: Elizabeth Tebeaux and Sam Dragga (2012) The Essentials of Technical Communication Textbook website: www.oup.com/us/tebeaux Access to a good English dictionary is also helpful. POTENTIAL ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT PERFORMANCE: The final grade for this course will be based on the following elements. At all times the Red Deer College final examinations policy will be adhered to. For all of the written assignments, you will receive more detailed descriptions in class. Participation (5%) This mark will be based on your contributions to and involvement in the class. You should complete required readings before class, contribute to class discussions and exercises, and participate in in-class writing practice. Business Correspondence (2 X 5% = 10%) Direct Email (5%) – Prepare an email as if you were writing to a real organization requesting information about a real product that you might use in the workplace, but send the email to your instructor. Use the direct organizational plan for your document, and ask at least three questions about the product or service. Your email will be printed out as it is received by your instructor and evaluated for layout/appearance, grammar/mechanics, use of the direct structure, and effective business writing style. Indirect Letter (5%) Prepare a hard-copy, fully formatted letter that uses the indirect structure to deliver negative news to tell a long-time supplier with whom you have had a very good relationship that you have switched to another supplier. Invent the necessary details. Your letter will be evaluated for layout/appearance, grammar/mechanics, use of the direct structure, and effective business writing style. Instructions (5%) – Prepare a set of instructions for a procedure, anticipating an audience that has limited knowledge of the technical aspects of the procedures. Include at least five detailed steps, and use graphic highlighting and illustrations in your instructions. Presentation – (5% total) Speech (5%) – Prepare a five to seven minute speech that overviews the findings of your Final Report for the class. This presentation should include seven to ten text-based PowerPoint slides, using the techniques learned in the MPS component of the course. 3

Project Management Package (15%) Progress Report (5%) – In a one-page, single spaced memo report to your instructor, describe the progress you have made toward the completion of your final report. Include specific items that have been completed, work in progress, and items to complete before the submission of the final report, as well as dates attached to each component. Final Report (10%) – In a three-to-four-page, single spaced manuscript report, using at least three sources, organize and present the findings of your analysis. Topics may include: Job prospect report – research a local/Alberta company that you would like to work for and report on the company history, structure, and potential employment opportunities. Recommendation/analytical report – choose a product or service that you would use in your workplace and research and compare three potential brands or suppliers of the product or service. Problem Solving report – choose a typical problem that is encountered in your field (e.g. stress management when dealing with tight deadlines, employee motivation and attitudes, lack of tolerance for people of diverse backgrounds, etc.) and research ways that you could deal with the problem in an actual workplace setting. Case study—Base your report on a “real” case from your workplace. You must have sufficient content knowledge of the particular problem you are analyzing. Tests (2@5% each = 10%) These tests will include multiple choice questions as well as short answer (paragraph style) and document preparation.

Microsoft Productivity Software Skills Course Information POTENTIAL COURSE TOPICS AND SCHEDULE (Schedule may change): Week 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Class Topic Introduction and File Management

Projects File Mgt. Project

MSWord

Coordinating with Writing & Communication Skills Letter and Instructions Projects

MSExcel

Three or four spreadsheet projects over this fourweek period, from basic to complex formatting and Functions

MSPowerPoint

PowerPoint Project

Multi-section Documents work period

Coordinating with Writing & Communication Skills Final Report Project

LEARNING ACTIVITIES: This section of the course is hands-on, composed of short demonstrations followed by hands-on practice and weekly or bi-weekly assignments. Many of the assignments are coordinated with assignments in the Writing & Communication Skill section of this course, or with other courses – e.g. you may submit a Letter project to your Writing & Communication Skills instructor to be marked for content, and submit an electronic copy of the Letter to your MPS instructor to be marked for efficient use of software tools. 4

REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS AND EQUIPMENT: All course materials for this section of the course can be found through your Blackboard site or on reserve at the Library. It is strongly advised that students acquire some form of portable storage for backup purposes. POTENTIAL ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT PERFORMANCE: Evaluation for this section is based on the following projects, and this section of your overall final grade is calculated as follows: File Management 5% Word Processing 15% Coordinating with Writing & Communication Skills section for Letter, Proposal, Final Report Spreadsheets 20% Potential to coordinate with another course for basic and more complex spreadsheets covering various concepts and functions PowerPoint 10% Coordinating with Writing & Communication Skills section This section of the course is project-based with no quizzes or exams. Rubrics are provided for each project. PROJECT DUE DATES – to be confirmed in Blackboard LATE PROJECTS: Late projects will be penalized at 10% per day. No project can be submitted more than 3 days late or after graded projects have been returned.

MIDTERM FEEDBACK: Midterm feedback for this course will be available from both instructors by October 26th. After reviewing their marks to this point, students should make an appointment with their instructors if they have any concerns about their progress. The instructors are also available prior to this in designated office hours or by appointment if students have any concerns. ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS: The faculty of the Department believe that students are committed to their program and learning experiences. However, it is understood that there are times when students may be absent from those experiences. Any absence can be viewed as a potentially serious disruption of the learning process and necessary achievement of the learning objectives. ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT: Please become familiar with what constitutes academic misconduct, as well as the consequences. Plagiarism involves submitting work in a course as if it were the student’s own work. Plagiarism may involve the act of submitting work in which some or all of the phrasing, ideas, or line of reasoning are alleged to be the submitter’s own but in fact were created by someone else. The complete policies are available on the RDC Policies web site: Appeals: Formal Policy, Appeals: Informal Resolution Policy and Student Misconduct: Academic and NonAcademic Policy. 5

Changes to the Course Outline: Changes to the course outline will be made with the consent of the course instructor and students. Changes will be reviewed by the Department Chairperson for consistency with College policies. This course may be eligible for Prior Learning Assessment. Students should refer to the RDC Course Calendar for a list of excluded courses. Students should be aware that Personal Counselling, Career, Learning and Disability Services are provided by RDC. Inquire about locations at Information Desk. It is the student’s responsibility to discuss their specific learning needs with the appropriate service provider. It is the student’s responsibility to be familiar with the information contained in the Course Outline and to clarify any areas of concern with the instructor. Students should refer to the Appeals: Formal Policy, Appeals: Informal Resolution Policy and Student Misconduct: Academic and Non-Academic Policy should questions or concerns about the Course Outline not be resolved directly with the instructor. Classroom Learning Resources may be available to students in alternative formats.

Chairperson: Date:

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