IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication Mar 2020

Using Adapted Studio Critique to Teach Peer Review in the Document Design Classroom

Julie Watts University of Wisconsin–Stout

Abstract

Introduction: Given the importance of visual communication to technical communicators' work, 40% of undergraduate programs in technical and professional communication require a document design course. However, document design pedagogies such as structuring peer review are still being researched, and popular textbooks do not provide instruction about how to facilitate this important pedagogy. About the case: An adapted form of studio critique was used to provide students with design feedback. Situating the case: Studio critique literature and document design peer review scholarship were used to devise an adapted critique, which I implemented in my course. Methods/approach: Twenty-five undergraduates were surveyed, and 23 were interviewed about adapted critique. Results/discussion: Results were favorable but recommend extending critique time, better facilitating participation, capturing feedback effectively, focusing the presentation, evaluating feedback, and requesting revision plans. Conclusions: Future research includes expanding the study to other courses and online environments.

Journal
IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
Published
2020-03-01
DOI
10.1109/tpc.2019.2961012
CompPile
Open Access
Closed
Topics
writing pedagogy revision technical communication professional writing multimodality
Export
BibTeX RIS

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (0)

No articles in this index cite this work.

References (55) · 11 in this index

  1. melonçon (2013)
    How to read landscapes: A method for integrating visual communication in the technical co…
    Designing Texts Teaching Visual Communication
  2. Whiteside (2003)
    The Skills That Technical Communicators Need: An Investigation of Technical Com…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  3. baehr (2015)
    Complexities of hybridization: Professional identities and relationships in technical com…
    Tech Commun
  4. melonçon (2013)
    Current state of U.S. undergraduate degree programs in technical and professional communication
    Tech Commun
  5. Lauer (2015)
    High-Tech Invention: Examining the Relationship Between Technology and Idea Gen…
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Show all 55 →
  1. 10.1080/23796529.2011.11674683
     ↗
  2. rainey (2005)
    Do curricula correspond to managerial expectations? Core competencies for technical commu…
    Tech Commun
  3. (2008)
    The role of rhetorical invention for visuals: A qualitative study of technical communicat…
    Tech Commun
  4. lanier (2009)
    Analysis of the skills called for by technical communication employers in recruitment postings
    Tech Commun
  5. brumberger (2015)
    The evolution of technical communication: An analysis of industry job postings
    Tech Commun
  6. 10.1080/14606925.2017.1353024
     ↗
  7. 10.1386/adch.12.2.195_1
     ↗
  8. Cook (2002)
    Layered Literacies: A Theoretical Frame for Technical Communication Pedagogy
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  9. Portewig (2004)
    Making Sense of the Visual in Technical Communication: A Visual Literacy Approa…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  10. brumberger (2013)
    Technological literacy in the visual communication classroom: Reconciling principles and …
    Programmatic Perspectives
  11. 10.1016/j.destud.2012.08.004
     ↗
  12. 10.1080/10632921.2013.775980
     ↗
  13. blair (2006)
    Perception, interpretation, impact: An examination of the learning value of formative fee…
  14. Dannels et al. (2008)
    Critiquing Critiques: A Genre Analysis of Feedback Across Novice to Expert Desi…
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  15. 10.1080/13562517.2011.590977
     ↗
  16. 10.20429/ijsotl.2008.020212
     ↗
  17. klebesadel (2008)
    Reframing studio art production and critique
    New Museum Theory and Practice An Introduction[C]
  18. im (2011)
    The generative impact of online critiques on individual art practice
  19. Dannels (2011)
    Relational Genre Knowledge and the Online Design Critique: Relational Authentic…
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  20. coorey (2013)
    Critical writing strategies to improve class critiques
    Visible Lang
  21. buster (2010)
    The Critique Handbook The Art Student's Sourcebook and Survival Guide
  22. barrett (1997)
    Talking About Student Art
  23. 10.1080/03634523.2010.487111
     ↗
  24. kimball (2008)
    Document Design A Guide for Technical Communicators
  25. kostelnick (2011)
    Designing Visual Language Strategies for Professional Communicators
  26. Welhausen (2018)
    Toward a Topos of Visual Rhetoric: Teaching Aesthetics Through Color and Typography
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  27. williams (2015)
    The Non-Designer's Design Book
  28. elkins (2014)
    Art Critiques A Guide
  29. 10.1177/003172170508700109
     ↗
  30. Brumberger (2007)
    Making the Strange Familiar: A Pedagogical Exploration of Visual Thinking
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  31. 10.1145/1925820.1925838
     ↗
  32. 10.1386/adch.10.1.89_1
     ↗
  33. 10.2307/357383
     ↗
  34. Lauer (2013)
    Examining the Effect of Reflective Assessment on the Quality of Visual Design A…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  35. flynn (1984)
    Students as readers of their classmates’ writing: Some implications for peer critiquing
    Writing Instructor
  36. Brumberger (2007)
    Visual Communication in the Workplace: A Survey of Practice
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  37. 10.1177/1469787416654794
     ↗
  38. flynn (2011)
    Re-viewing peer review
    Writing Instructor
  39. lauer (2013)
    Teaching visual communication online: Methods for a changing classroom
    Designing Texts Teaching Visual Communication
  40. ishizaki (2013)
    A practical guide to classroom assessment in visual communication design
    Designing Texts Teaching Visual Communication
  41. 10.1145/2818048.2819953
     ↗
  42. Northcut et al. (2010)
    Resisting the Lure of Technology-Driven Design: Pedagogical Approaches to Visua…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  43. 10.1016/S0889-4906(01)00020-5
     ↗
  44. 10.1080/03634520500076885
     ↗
  45. 10.1386/adch.2.3.143/0
     ↗
  46. 10.1386/adch.6.3.159_1
     ↗
  47. 10.1177/002194368802500303
     ↗
  48. kostelnick (1989)
    Visual rhetoric: A reader-oriented approach to graphics and design
    Tech Writing Teacher
  49. 10.1080/03634520500213165
     ↗
  50. northcut (2013)
    Evaluating visual communication
    Designing Texts Teaching Visual Communication
CrossRef global citation count: 0 View in citation network → Build reading path →

Related Articles

  1. Pedagogy Oct 2025
    Contributors ↗
    modern rhetorical theory rhetorical criticism genre theory cultural rhetorics first-year composition writing pedagogy advanced composition creative writing writing across the curriculum graduate education two-year college service learning teacher development technical communication professional writing labor and working conditions archival research multimodality artificial intelligence literacy studies race and writing gender and writing disability studies literary studies editorial matter
  2. Pedagogy Apr 2025
    Contributors ↗
    modern rhetorical theory rhetorical criticism african american rhetorics cultural rhetorics first-year composition writing pedagogy basic writing graduate education two-year college teacher development writing centers technical communication professional writing labor and working conditions digital rhetoric multimodality social media literacy studies race and writing gender and writing community literacy literary studies editorial matter
  3. Pedagogy Apr 2023
    Contributors ↗
    rhetorical criticism first-year composition writing pedagogy creative writing graduate education two-year college service learning teacher development writing centers technical communication professional writing labor and working conditions digital rhetoric multimodality race and writing gender and writing literary studies editorial matter
  4. Technical Communication Quarterly Jul 2022
    Black Professional Communicators Testifying to Black Technical Joy ↗
    Antonio Byrd
    rhetorical criticism african american rhetorics revision collaborative writing technical communication professional writing qualitative research digital rhetoric multimodality literacy studies race and writing disability studies editorial matter
  5. Technical Communication Quarterly Jan 2014
    The Rhetoric of Reach: Preparing Students for Technical Communication in the Age of Social Media ↗
    Elise Verzosa Hurley; Amy C. Kimme Hea
    rhetorical criticism writing pedagogy teacher development argument writing program administration technical communication professional writing qualitative research multimodality social media editorial matter