“Applied Constructivism” for User Documentation

Abstract

This inquiry explores the practical implications of constructivist theory for documentation that is targeted to complex tasks and experienced users (users who are less than experts but more than novices). It argues that current task-oriented documentation falls short in addressing these tasks and users and examines the contributions that constructivism can make, contributions that will lead to documentation that differs in kind not just degree from conventional task-oriented manuals and help systems. This inquiry synthesizes the following four themes from constructivist theory and analyzes their relevance to documentation development: (1) changing the object of instruction to “activity in context,” (2) shaping instruction around problems experienced by users in work contexts, (3) highlighting users' social stock of knowledge, and (4) adopting a rhetoric of problem-based instruction expressed through cases. Examples are given from current efforts in interface and instructional design that writers may adapt to documentation design.

Journal
Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Published
1998-01-01
DOI
10.1177/1050651998012001002
Open Access
Closed
Topics

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (11)

  1. Technical Communication Quarterly
  2. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  3. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  4. Technical Communication Quarterly
  5. Technical Communication Quarterly
Show all 11 →
  1. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  2. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  3. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  4. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  5. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  6. Technical Communication Quarterly

Cites in this index (3)

  1. Written Communication
  2. Technical Communication Quarterly
  3. College Composition and Communication
Also cites 13 works outside this index ↓
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    Human-Computer Interactions  
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  6. Cognition in the Wild
  7. 10.1016/S0020-7373(05)80129-4
  8. 10.1145/223248.223258
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  12. Mind in Society
  13. 10.1177/016224399101600108
CrossRef global citation count: 42 View in citation network →