Assessing the Value of Client-Based Group Projects in an Introductory Technical Communication Course

Journal of Business and Technical Communication Apr 1997

Assessing the Value of Client-Based Group Projects in an Introductory Technical Communication Course

GREGORY A. WICKLIFF

Abstract

This article argues for the long-term value of client-based group projects in an introductory technical communication course. Survey results are presented from 73 former technical communication students with two to seven years of workplace experience. Lasting five to six weeks, these projects are a compromise between a briefer conventional case method and a more lengthy individualized internship or cooperative education experience. The projects reinforce research, analysis, and reporting skills, such as interviewing specialists and conducting survey research, that graduates continue to value highly even after years of workplace writing. When framed as such, client-based projects also encourage students to define and debate public policy issues.

Journal: Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Published: 1997-04-01
DOI: 10.1177/1050651997011002002
Open Access: Closed
Topics: empirical research technical communication professional writing

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (10)

Frey et al. (2026)

Toward a Justice-Oriented Professionalism: Lessons Learned From a Critical Serv…

Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Friess et al. (2018)

Cultivating a Sense of Belonging: Using Twitter to Establish a Community in an …

Technical Communication Quarterly
Read et al. (2018)

Hidden in plain sight: findings from a survey on the multi-major professional w…

Technical Communication Quarterly
Kohn (2015)

How Professional Writing Pedagogy and University–Workplace Partnerships Can Sha…

Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Watts et al. (2012)

Pairing Courses Across the Disciplines

Written Communication

Show all 10 →

Shaver (2011)

Using Key Messages to Explore Rhetoric in Professional Writing

Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Turnley (2007)

Integrating Critical Approaches to Technology and Service-Learning Projects

Technical Communication Quarterly
Turnley (2007)

Integrating Critical Approaches to Technology and Service-Learning Projects

Technical Communication Quarterly
Taylor (2006)

Assessment in Client-Based Technical Writing Classes: Evolution of Teacher and …

Technical Communication Quarterly
VanHoosier-Carey (1997)

Rhetoric by design: Using web development projects in the technical communicati…

Computers and Composition

Cites in this index (5)

Allen (1993)

Community, collaboration, and the rhetorical triangle

Technical Communication Quarterly
Bosley (1993)

Cross‐cultural collaboration: Whose culture is it, anyway?

Technical Communication Quarterly
Burnett et al. (1993)

Collaboration in technical communication: A research continuum

Technical Communication Quarterly
Flower (1989)

Cognition, Context, and Theory Building

College Composition and Communication
Olsen (1989)

Computer-Based Writing and Communication: Some Implications for Technical Commu…

Journal of Technical Writing and Communication

Also cites 2 works outside this index ↓

10.2307/377272

↗
10.1177/108056998304600406

↗

CrossRef global citation count: 24 View in citation network →