10801197Technical Reporting
Course Information
Description
Prepare and present written, oral, and visual communication products, including instructions, proposals, informal and formal reports. Produce clear, usable communication by incorporating information design principles, arranging content to satisfy diverse audience needs, and presenting visuals for various contexts. Designed as an advanced course to develop collaborative communication practices, information literacy skills, and ethically responsible professional communication strategies. Students cannot enroll in this course until the 2nd Semester (or later) in their Program.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
  1. Design communication for a specific audience and purpose
    Assessment Strategies
    all oral, written or visual communication
    as an individual or as a member of a team
    Criteria
    communication reflects an appropriate medium
    communication considers the impacts of digital and/or social media messages
    communication includes appropriate use of design including white space, color, font, type size, hierarchy, headings, forecasting statements, and lists and other design elements
    communication demonstrates effective organization, “you” attitude, tone, parallelism, conciseness, clarity, voice, number usage, and transitions

  2. Create visual elements for incorporation into communication products
    Assessment Strategies
    creation of visual elements in one or more communication products
    as an individual or as a member of a team
    Criteria
    visuals target one or more of the following: presentation handouts, graphics in written reports, website wireframe, instructional documents, electronic presentation
    visuals are appropriate for the audience
    visuals credit sources of information
    visuals enhance the narrative
    visuals clarify complex concepts/relationships
    visuals are eye-appealing
    visuals are easy to interpret
    visual medium is appropriate to audience, situation, and purpose

  3. Model ethics in professional communication
    Assessment Strategies
    all oral, written or visual communication projects
    as an individual or as a member of a team
    Criteria
    communication adheres to copyright laws
    communication is free of plagiarism
    communication respects privacy and confidentiality concerns
    communication demonstrates inclusive language and visual representation
    communication is free of inappropriate bias

  4. Write a set of procedures or instructions
    Assessment Strategies
    written procedures or instructions
    as an individual or as a member of a team
    Criteria
    procedures/instructions apply the current conventions of English
    procedures/instructions contain all identified major elements
    procedures/instructions are unified, coherent, and accurate
    procedures/instructions include ordered steps written using imperative mood
    procedures/instructions include notes, cautions, and warnings
    procedures/instructions makes effective use of definition and description
    procedures/instructions include appropriate graphics

  5. Prepare an informal report
    Assessment Strategies
    informal report
    as an individual or as a member of a team
    Criteria
    report targets one or more of the following situations: lab report, field site report, summary report, occurrence report, inspection report, trip report, problem analysis, incident report, informative report, case study, periodic , or progress report
    report applies the current conventions of English
    report exhibits designated report genre conventions
    report is unified, coherent, and accurate
    report reflects an appropriate tone
    report makes effective use of definition and description

  6. Incorporate information sources
    Assessment Strategies
    conducting research
    as an individual or as a member of a team
    Criteria
    sources are credible
    sources are reliable
    sources are valid
    sources are free of inappropriate bias
    sources include both primary and secondary research
    sources are gathered, evaluated, selected, and documented logically, efficiently, and ethically

  7. Develop a proposal
    Assessment Strategies
    in a written or oral proposal for a formal report
    as an individual or as a member of a team
    Criteria
    proposal targets appropriate audiences(s)
    proposal applies the current conventions of English
    proposal contains all identified major elements
    proposal is unified, coherent, and accurate
    proposal makes effective use of persuasion

  8. Prepare a formal report
    Assessment Strategies
    written formal report
    as an individual or as a member of a team
    Criteria
    report targets one or more of the following situations: investigative report, feasibility report, evaluation report, scientific report, recommendation report, grant report, white paper
    report purpose is evaluative or analytical
    report applies the current conventions of English
    report exhibits designated report conventions
    report contains all appropriate identified major elements which may include executive summary/abstract, statement of problem or situation, literature review, methods, findings, discussion, conclusions or recommendations, references
    report is unified, coherent, and accurate
    report applies an appropriate documentation format such as MLA, APA, CSE, AMA
    report makes effective use of definition and description

  9. Apply the principles of teamwork to collaborative communication
    Assessment Strategies
    all oral, written or visual communication projects
    as an individual and as a member of a team
    Criteria
    you use problem solving tools and strategies
    you use conflict resolution techniques
    you apply team roles
    you identify team norms
    you assess team performance
    you interact collaboratively (face to face and/or online) with other students to complete various course assignments

  10. Present an oral report
    Assessment Strategies
    in an oral presentation
    as an individual or as a member of a team
    Criteria
    presentation credits information taken from all sources whether paraphrased, summarized, or quoted verbatim
    presentation exhibits effective delivery style and techniques
    presentation applies the current conventions of English
    presentation is unified, coherent, and accurate
    presentation fits within the time allotted
    presentation targets the audience
    presentation includes visual elements to enhance the presentation