"Strengthening Technical Communication with Educational Theory"

About the Author

Penny Bencomo is a technical writer residing in Albuquerque, NM. She has two Bachelor of Science degrees from the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology: one in geology, and one in technical communication. She credits her success in life to her husband Michael.

Contents

Introduction

How Technical Communicators Can Use Educational Theory

Transitioning Education

Computer-Based Learning

Conclusion

Works Cited

Conclusion

Technical communicators can provide new and innovative ways of learning by implementing activity theory in their work. These ways of learning have already begun to include collaborative work, and often rely on computer-mediated communication. Computer-mediated communication, computer-supported intentional learning environments, and computer-supported collaborative work environments all support active learning. As outlined in the introduction, there is a sizable gap between technical communication and computer-based education.

Research regarding education with respect to activity theory and other educational theories will help to further emphasize the need for technical communicators in the field of instructional design. The only technical education curriculum evaluated was that of New Mexico Tech. Perhaps other schools do emphasize educational theories. Is there a better theory that corresponds to technical communication? Do technical communication students even need educational theory? Hopefully, this knowledge will expand the flexibility of technical communicators and increase the number of job opportunities available, as well as make computer-based education more clear and effective.