Using Isocrates to Teach Technical Communication and Civic Engagement

Allen Brizee Loyola University Maryland

Abstract

Building on work by Dubinsky, Haskins, and Simmons and Grabill, this article explains how a technical communication instructor used Isocrates and informal usability testing to help guide a service-learning project involving the One Laptop Per Child XO-1 notebook. For the project, engineering students received feedback from peers and elementary school teachers to determine the feasibility of using the XO-1 with at-risk children aged 6 to 9. Despite initial positive impressions, the service-learning students discovered that the XO-1 was not suitable in this situation. This article discusses Isocratean theory and how his ideas can inform a pedagogy of civic engagement in technical communication.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
2015-04-01
DOI
10.1177/0047281615569481
Open Access
Closed
Topics

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (7)

  1. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  2. Technical Communication Quarterly
  3. Technical Communication Quarterly
  4. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  5. Technical Communication Quarterly
Show all 7 →
  1. Computers and Composition
  2. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication

Cites in this index (8)

  1. Computers and Composition
  2. Computers and Composition
  3. Computers and Composition
  4. Computers and Composition
  5. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Show all 8 →
  1. College Composition and Communication
  2. Technical Communication Quarterly
  3. College English
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    Across the Disciplines: A Journal of Language, Learning, and Academic Writing  
CrossRef global citation count: 12 View in citation network →