Usability Instruction in Technical Communication Programs — Rhetoric & Composition

Journal of Business and Technical Communication Apr 2001

Usability Instruction in Technical Communication Programs

Lee-Ann M. Kastman Breuch University of Minnesota System ; Mark Zachry Utah State University ; Clay Spinuzzi Texas Tech University

Abstract

Although usability testing and research have become critical tasks for technical communicators in the workplace, little discussion in technical communication focuses on teaching usability in technical communication programs. This article asserts that technical communication programs are particularly well positioned to adopt usability testing and research in their curricula because of inherent connections between usability and technical communication, such as their mutual emphases on audience analysis, technology, and information design. Approaches to implementation of usability courses at three universities are described, and the authors share suggestions for adopting usability in the areas of curriculum, equipment, and facilities needed for conducting usability.

Journal: Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Published: 2001-04-01
DOI: 10.1177/105065190101500204
CompPile: Search in CompPile ↗
Open Access: Closed
Topics: multimodality technical communication multilingual writers

Citation Context

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Cites in this index (1)

Johnson (1994)

The unfortunate human factor: A selective history of human factors for technica…

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Also cites 4 works outside this index ↓

10.1109/47.44534

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10.1109/47.44533

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10.1145/318372.318385

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10.1002/1520-6297(198907)5:4<361::AID-AGR2720050406>3.0.CO;2-E

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