Hayley in Higher Ed | Professor at UCCS

Our technical writing firm has been hired by Client experiencing a significant increase in customer complaints regarding the documentation for a recently launched product. Internal and external users find the documents confusing, poorly organized, and lacking essential information. The engineers find the content oversimplified, while the business side feels everything is too jargon-laden for most audiences. The documentation for this product must serve all the stakeholders in the best way possible (engineering team, business team, and end-users/customers). As a technical writer, you have been tasked with assessing the situation and providing suggestions for them to improve their work. You will identify and analyze current research articles on relevant topics (use the provided articles from the weekly readings OR locate new ones), synthesize key findings, and apply them to a practical workplace scenario. You will produce a Visual Research Brief with citations of the articles and the project completion report.

Our technical writing firm has been hired by a higher education advocacy group that wants to propose a new degree type to university officials through an article in the Chronicle of Higher Education. They have drafted a proposal and asked you to evaluate the document and provide feedback. You suspect that the group heavily utilized an LLM in creating the proposal, so you asked them to explain their creative process. They provided a video commentary on the edits to reference as you further assess the work. You take all their materials and return a written analysis with comments on their work to help them improve their proposal.

Our technical writing firm is working with a think tank in your field (a collection of thought leaders and researchers tasked with solving problems).  A client asked the think tank to help them decide between two potential solutions to an issue with sustainability, equity, or economic impacts in their field. Given the current technological, social, and economic climate, you've found the leading TWO solutions and are researching the best option. You address a formal letter to the actual organization or person who influences this field (the stakeholder who contracted the think tank). Your letter needs to identify the work filled in and persuade them that your report is credible, helpful, and oriented toward actions. Then, the report shows the highest level of formality with background research, clear methods, data for each criterion used to compare the solutions, and the final recommendation.

The Goals: To create a persuasive pitch video that effectively communicates the project's value and potential impact.The Asks:Ask 1: Identify a pressing social challenge related to equity, sustainability, or other cultural issues.Ask 2: Develop a novel project idea that addresses the chosen challenge using STEM, education, or health-focused approaches.Ask 3: Create a persuasive pitch video that outlines the problem, proposed solution, and potential impact.Ask 4: Reflect on the process in a project completion report

This episode explains the expectations for grading in the LLM Challenge: SOP. The Goals: To provide the student success and advising center with a finalized Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for implementing the routine.The Asks:Ask 1: Generate a routine using generative AI (morning/evening, study, workout/physical activity, or mental health/emotional wellness).Ask 2: Follow the generated routine for at least three days, documenting effectiveness and needed changes.Ask 3: Revise the routine based on your experience and feedback.Ask 4: Create a final SOP document for the client.Ask 5: Write a project completion report for the firm manager.

This episode describes the expectations when grading the Design Tools Challenge.The Goals: Replicate the provided file as closely as possible to show your skills with information and graphic design softwareThe Asks:Ask 1: Use the Poster_Design_OSHA.pdf to manipulate the provided copy using a design tool (like Canva, Adobe, etc.)Ask 2: Write a project completion report

This episode outlines the expectations and grading for the User Guide Analysis project.The Goals: To assess the client's existing user guides for a specific product and notice adjustmentsThe Asks:Ask 1: Thoroughly review the client's current user guides (find an example of a product guide to analyze)Ask 2: Conduct audience research to identify the target audience's demographics, technical skills, and information needs.Ask 3: Analyze the user guides, considering clarity, organization, language, visuals, and overall effectiveness.Ask 4: Develop specific recommendations for improvement, which may include simplifying language, restructuring content, adding visuals, or suggesting alternative formats.

This file explains the expectations for the eBooklet project as I grade your work.The Goals: To teach a "student success hack" using Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace tools. This implies you need to find a specific, useful technique that leverages these tools to help students improve their academic performance or organization.The Asks:The client specifically requested that you do not provide general descriptions of the software. You need to explain how to use the tool to accomplish a specific, student-focused procedure.You must include information about digital accessibility tools.The final deliverable must be a PDF booklet in a vertical format.

This episode is a brief grading note and explanation of what I was looking for when reviewing your projects.Project Summary Below:Our technical writing firm has been hired by a Client to create a video demonstration for their products. You've been assigned to develop that video that guides potential customers through your product's set-up, instructions, and troubleshooting. Your audience comprises individuals who have purchased or are considering purchasing the product. They may have varying levels of familiarity with similar products, so creating a video that is easy to understand for beginners and informative for those with some prior experience is essential. The video will be posted on the product's promotional website and linked in confirmation emails sent to customers after purchase. The final video will be 3-6 minutes long and will be submitted as a link so I can view it on YouTube, Vimeo, Stream, etc. The Goals: To create a video demonstration that effectively guides customers through the product's setup, instructions, and troubleshooting. Ask 1: Develop a script that outlines the key steps involved in setting up, using, and troubleshooting the product. Ask 2: Record video footage demonstrating each step clearly and concisely. Ask 3: Incorporate narration or on-screen text to guide viewers through the process. Ask 4: Edit the video, adding music, transitions, and visual effects to enhance engagement. Ask 6: Reflect on the process in a project completion report 

This lecture covers an Introduction to Digital Accessibility as part of the Introduction to Technical Writing and Presentation series. Accessibility is the broad subject and term that describes the quality of being easily reached, entered, or used who have a disability. As technical writers we narrow that to digital accessibility, which is specific to information and content.The lecture is divided into three core sections. First we will define digital accessibility for our work by exploring models of disability and imaging a few user personas with what it means for our products. Then we will discuss the legal standards for accessibility. We have national and international standards to follow in our content because ignoring accessibility represents form discrimination. We will also talk about the benefits to companies of following these standards–beyond avoiding legal action. The final section outlines concrete actions that we can take to create more usable content for everyone. We will go over the tools for accessibility checking inside of the products you might be using in this course and potential careers.

This project asks you to prompt a generative AI for a technical description of an object that you then draw. Transcript Your project will be graded on the following requirements: A formal memo as your project retrospective that details: Work Assessment: how you met the objectives of the project Process Reflection: why you made your creative choices and solved problems during the project Applications: how the skills, technology, and experiences from this project will help you improve as a professional in your field Transcript of the chat conversation with the AI to prompt your invention Drawings that you made based on the prompt with notes for the dimensions, materials, and other relevant specifications Photo of your initial hand-drawn sketch ideas Final rendering: polished illustration, digital line drawing, 3D model, etc. Your editing and overall polish will be assessed for skip, scan, skim.

This project asks you to replicate a document to explore advanced formatting tools/features inside of Word or Docs. Transcript Your work will be graded based on the following requirements: A formal memo as your project retrospective that details: Work Assessment: how you met the objectives of the project Process Reflection: why you made your creative choices and solved problems during the project Applications: how the skills, technology, and experiences from this project will help you improve as a professional in your field Replicated document that includes a close match for the header, headings, sidebars/columns, text box, diagram, fonts, colors, and icons. You must include polished writing, visuals, and design throughout the sections.

This project asks you to describe an invention with enough detail to support the development of the product or app. Transcript Your project will be graded on the required elements: A formal memo as your project retrospective that details: Work Assessment: how you met the objectives of the project Process Reflection: why you made your creative choices and solved problems during the project Applications: how the skills, technology, and experiences from this project will help you improve as a professional in your field A specification sheet with four headings of content: Product Overview: Briefly describe the product, its purpose, and its target users. Key Features and Functionality: List the product's primary features and how they function to solve your user's problems Technical Specifications: Detail the product's technical aspects, such as dimensions & materials (physical products), software requirements and code language/elements (digital products from a CS and coding role), user experience and information infrastructure (app-based products from a UX or technical writer role), or any relevant technical standards. This area will most likely change depending on your career roles and product type. Prototype Visuals: Include product sketches, diagrams, flowcharts, or images. You must include polished writing, visuals, and design throughout the sections.

This project asks you to write a formal memo that contains a detailed proposal on what [you will do], when [you will do it], and how [you will do it] for your work in the semester. You should identify the grade you want to earn with a concrete plan for accomplishing that goal. Transcript Your project will be graded on the following required elements: Introduction: Briefly state your overall goal for the course (e.g., "To achieve an A in this course by demonstrating mastery of technical writing principles and producing high-quality work.") Project Plan: Outline your approach to each major project. Include: Grade Breakdown: Based on the course grading rubric, how will you earn the grade you desire? Be specific! For example: Contingency Plan: What will you do if you encounter unexpected challenges or fall behind schedule? (e.g., "If I struggle with a particular concept, I will seek help from the instructor or a tutor.") You are also graded on the work's overall polish, editing, and professional impact.

This episode describes what I was looking for in the Usability Report assignment to help you reflect on your grade. The project asked you to: Submit a pdf between 15-25* single-spaced pages with all the standards of a formal report.  Letter of Transmittal to Client Front Matter Usability Report Sections Back Matter- *The document is longer because you add your testing materials and data scorecards. The content itself is ~4,000 words.

An early step in the writing process (and most professional/technical projects) is developing a plan that captures your ideas, and it is common for stakeholders to request progress reports on the work. Project plans and progress reports promote transparency, accountability, and informed decision-making, ultimately leading to successful project outcomes. I expect documentation on your work so far- with actual progress being made- and a literal plan you can follow to complete the class with the grade you want/need. Your plan must include language, details, dates, and action items for the remaining projects you intend to complete. 

This voice note reflects on the expectations for a functional to very effective instructional eBooklet project. You were asked to create a digital booklet that guides your readers through the step-by-step process of completing your chosen task. The goal is to practice your technical writing skills by presenting clear, concise, and easy-to-follow instructions. Your digital eBooklet should be visually appealing, incorporating images, diagrams, and special tips/notes to enhance the learning experience. The eBooklet will be a comprehensive resource, providing detailed step-by-step instructions, relevant visuals, and a troubleshooting table.

The technical video project asked you to produce an informative video to teach your viewers any technical or writing-focused topic. The video must include narration/audio—so YOU verbally explain the topic—and various visuals to enhance understanding. Since you need to produce a video, you must create and upload your storyboard or shotlist to show your planning on the process. Your video must include some cuts and edits rather than a single take. The final video will be 3-6 minutes long and will be submitted as a link so I can view it on YouTube, Vimeo, Stream, etc. Do not upload the video to Canvas. 

✅Please view the comments in the rubric and listen to this audio comment while you review your work. I discuss the standards and expectations for each the requirements. ✨If you would like more specific feedback, schedule an office chat appointment. It is more productive for both of us to review your work in a meeting if you actually want and will use that level of feedback/learning/improvement. 

Hey associates, this lecture is an introduction to document design as part of your larger visual strategy when presenting technical information to the reader. The emphasis on the design–the overall layout, color, and font choices on a document–is one of the key qualities of “information design.” The lecture has three sections: defining what we mean by technical graphics discussing specific types ending with tools and best practices for using graphics. Read the Transcript/Chapter Use the Notes Guide

Hey associates, this lecture is an introduction to presenting instructions and various command-focused documents in technical writing. It is those step-by-step explanations of how to do things with strong, commanding verbs: assemble, operate, repair. Today's content focuses on building more useful, useable, and enjoyable commands and instructions for your readers to accomplish the tasks. Transcript Chapter Notetaking Guide

Hey associates, this lecture is about technical graphics used in professional, business, and technical documents. The lecture has three sections: defining what we mean by technical graphics discussing specific types ending with tools and best practices for using graphics. ⁠⁠Follow the notetaking guide⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Read the Transcript/Textbook Chapter

Notetaking Guide: Slide Deck Hey associates, this lecture introduces structure and editing for technical documents, especially when you need to describe content to specific audiences…which is our “thing” in technical, business, and end-user communication. Read the transcript as a book chapter.

Notetaking Guide: Slide Deck ⁠Textbook/Transcript Chapter⁠ Hey associates, this lecture concerns project management strategies and genres for technical, professional, business, and personal productivity contexts. I will talk about documents to capture, document, and provide direction: three essential verbs for staying productive and accountable in project and collaborative environments.

Hey associates, this lecture is about technical writing and presentation as a form of communication. It is an overview of our field, and this class, focused on STEM, professional, and business writing contexts. The lecture has three sections: Technical Writing as a Discipline and the differences between that and essays or school writing you might be used to creating, the Styles of writing with a preview of the common genres, Ethics Follow the notetaking guide Read the Transcript/Textbook Chapter

This month, we took a summer break! We will return with a full interview at the end of August. Enjoy the rest of the summer, prepare for Fall, and stay inspired in higher ed.

Transcript: Report Podcast.txt --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hylyb/message

This is the biggest project of the semester and may take 10-15 active hours over the project cycle. You must conduct research, analyze sources, and write ~3,000 words of content (about 10-20 single-spaced pages total). Requirements List: Imagine you work for a think tank in your field (a collection of thought leaders and researchers tasked with solving problems). You are focused on comparing solutions to an issue with sustainability, equity, or economic impacts. You've found the leading TWO solutions and are researching the best option given the current technological, social, and economic climate.  You need to conduct primary (you generate data) and secondary research to directly compare the solutions on 3 standards (think effectiveness, costs, logistics, social perceptions, acceptability, etc.). You then write a formal recommendation report that details the results of your research, targeted toward decision-makers on the topic. You write a cover letter addressed to that stakeholder. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hylyb/message

Full Transcript to Read Hey associates. This podcast episode reviews the common pieces of feedback across the eBook and Tutorial project. I want you to listen while you review your work and the feedback I marked. Check if you are doing what I'm describing–both the creative and effective elements and the developing aspects needing revisions. I will walk through the project pages in order, starting with notes on the memo. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hylyb/message

Follow along with all the assignment details in Canvas while listening to this episode. I talk through the timeline, milestones, requirements, and group project grading. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hylyb/message

Introduction (00:18), Milestone/Progress Assignments (01:27), Support Level Choices (02:40), Due Date and Revisions (03:55), Expectations (05:02), Requirements (08:15), Grading (13:20), Skills to Practice (15:35), Rubric Overview (18:15) It is due Feb. 18 and is worth 15% of your grade. Review Canvas for written details, supporting materials, and the rubric for this assignment. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hylyb/message

This episode is the audio version/explanation of the recommendation report assignment sheet for TCID 2090 in the Fall of 2023. Your individual design challenge is to create a useful, useable, and enjoyable recommendation report about a sustainability, equity, economic, or technological issue (in a field of your choosing) and the existing solutions. You will need to conduct primary (you generate data) and secondary research to find if or which option is best positioned to solve the problem at hand. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hylyb/message

This episode offers and audio version of the user e-book instructions. A user guide is a document or set of documents that provide specific instructions on how to use a product. It typically includes an overview of the product (remember from descriptions), step-by-step instructions for performing tasks, troubleshooting tips, and a reference section. User guides can be created for a variety of products, including equipment, software programs, and hardware devices. Your design challenge is to create a useful, useable, equitable, and enjoyable manual (e-book) for students about a Microsoft 365 app to help them succeed. You will design a digital booklet with at (around) ten steps and visuals to walk them through a process. The e-book runs between 5 to 10 pages with the headings, visuals, tables, bullet points, and other design features included. This is not a hard page count, just an outcome of solving the writing & design challenge. Your e-book should be highly visual to practice showing users what to do. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hylyb/message

Hey associates. This episode provides step by step instructions for creating and sharing podcast content from the Spotify for Podcasters site. You can use this guide to capture lecture content, project instructions, portfolio reflections and more. Providing podcast options for your materials speak to universal design and choice in student learning as another, easy to produce, medium for students and peers to engage. You can find written steps and a video to follow along: --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hylyb/message

This lecture covers the basic sections and considerations for instruction sets and user guides. References Sway: https://sway.office.com/CEVaPzQsOkR1TRHt?ref=Link Slide Deck: https://pitch.com/public/be2ed5de-f9b3-4a24-8eec-ae4094f6403b --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hylyb/message

This lecture covers the basic sections and considerations for proposals, technical reports, and strategic documents. References Sway: https://sway.office.com/7H8R2hHbv80FK3zN?ref=LinkSlide Deck: https://pitch.com/public/215ac5bb-ab4b-4849-a854-8f261e04f3e4 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hylyb/message

This lecture introduces several common workplace and technical documents that document situations and direct future actions. Reference Sway: https://sway.office.com/ch4FsbxsKV6tZshO?ref=Link Slide Deck: https://pitch.com/public/3221b8cb-e324-4a40-b172-2fe0849eb3e6 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hylyb/message

This lecture covers the basics of document design for beginner business and technical writers. Slide Deck: https://pitch.com/public/639928e4-f821-44e8-a73f-f95ac33233ce Reference Sway: https://sway.office.com/h8CXAuR4ySUJH7B4?ref=Link --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hylyb/message

This episode offers an introduction to basic research concepts for technical and professional writers. Reference Sway with resources and further reading --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/hylyb/message

This episode covers the basics of structure and editing for success in my class. Reference Sway: Slide Deck: --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/hylyb/message

This episode explains the hiring packet project with a recommended roadmap and the grading explanation. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/hylyb/message

This episode explains the project roadmap for the Thought Leadership Proposal for TCID 2080. See Canvas for the milestone details, inspiration, and grading rubrics. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/hylyb/message

This episode explains the research project to investigate the history, outcomes, and value of dei-related workplace policies for 2080. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/hylyb/message

This episode explains the finals portfolio project for TCID 2090. Use Canvas to find more details, the templates, and the grading rubric. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/hylyb/message

This episode explains the big picture for the recommendation report project. See Canvas for the milestone details, grading, and specific instructions. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/hylyb/message

This podcast explains the big action of the instruction set project for TCID 2090 in Spring 2023. See Canvas for the specific milestone rfps (instructions) and grading rubrics. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/hylyb/message

Your homework this week focuses on understanding the class goals, structure, and general context for professional communication. This episode overviews my general classroom policies, offers the foundations for technical communication and information design, and suggests 5 tips for writing this semester. I want to be a collaborative work-leader who empowers you to grow. I value student self-efficacy—your belief in your abilities—and skill applicability in my classrooms, which is why I enjoy teaching strategic and technical communication. I also love creating courses that feel like a workplace (in a good way!). The assignments, activities, and grades reflect a combination of classroom best practices and my own experiences in content marketing, public relations, technical editing, professional development, and general office workplaces. I promise to help you feel confident sharing information for business and administrative contexts. I got you! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/hylyb/message

Project Scenario: You work for a research consultation firm (2080 Solutions) and need to cultivate new clients. Your supervisor asks you to create a research proposal to persuade a company of interest to pay for your research services. https://coda.io/d/_dWSWttQyZ75/Research-Proposal_su6dG --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/hylyb/message

Associates in Technical Writing and Presentation will work in teams to create a user-guide for a technical task. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/hylyb/message

For the Technical Writing and Presentation course: audio lecture about definitions, descriptions, and instructions to frame the week's readings and video materials. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/hylyb/message