The ability to write concise and unambiguous reports, proposals, manuals, or other technical documents is a key skill for any high-functioning engineer or technical staff person in the mobility industries. Through a combination of class discussions, interactive workshop activities, assignments, checker teams (review teams) and job aids, this course delivers real-life technical writing techniques and tools that can be immediately applied. Participants discover the importance of knowing their audiences and how to communicate technical information in a 'user-friendly' style.
During the conclusion, participants will also share their action plans and learn more about available resources (books, online courses, tools, etc.) to enrich their learning experiences.
To enhance social learning, participants will organize into `Checker Teams¿ to support each other with developing and critiquing session assignments. Review checklists will be provided to support Checker Team activities.
Because this course is highly interactive, participants are required to bring samples of their own writing projects (past, present, or future ideas) to analyze and develop during class. There may be some sharing of documents among participants on Day Two, so please bring non- proprietary document samples for some class activities. If proprietary documents are to be reviewed, the instructor is available to provide confidential, one-on-one coaching for each participant on Day Two.
A critical resource included as part of this course is Hacker, D. & Sommers, N. (2021). Pocket Style Manual: Updated with MLA's Guidelines and Internet Resources. 9th Edition.
- Describe basic technical writing techniques
- Interpret documentation including procedures, work instructions, specifications, and reports
- Apply your technical writing knowledge to documentation and projects
Dr. Norina L. Columbaro has over 20 years of experience as an award-winning talent and organizational development leadership partner and researcher.
Her background includes, developing and delivering scientific and technical communication courses for scientists and engineers worldwide, managing instructional design projects covering a wide range of technical and nontechnical subject areas, and holding leadership positions in higher education and professional associations.
She is a Registered Corporate Coach (RCC) and a Certified Professional Technical Communicator (CPTC). She also holds a Ph.D. from Cleveland State University in Urban Education, specializing in Leadership and Life-Long Learning.
Norina's research and work have been published in Adult Learning, The International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, The Online Journal of Distance Learning, Human Resource Development Quarterly, and on Military.com.