Integrating the Academic World of Technical Communications with the Commercial World of Business and Industry.

The general problem addressed by this dissertation is that technical communications teachers have not explicitly examined how the commercial endeavors of business and industry can be successfully integrated with their academic endeavors. Specifically, teachers have not sufficiently examined how best to use the integration techniques of mail surveys, advisory boards, case problems, or internships. This dissertation examines each one of these techniques and suggests effective ways of using them. This dissertation also examines the daily classroom pedagogy of technical communications in the light of these techniques. Essay One, on mail survey research, concludes that surveys have been repetitive in their findings and seriously limited in their coverage. Only by developing new types of questions to cover inadequately studied areas will future researchers using this technique be ale to extend their knowledge. Essay Two, on advisory boards, describes why programs and classes should have advisory boards. The essay also explains specifically how an advisory board can be successfully established and maintained. Essay Three, on the case mehod, gives practicing teachers the techniques of this method by: Defining the discrete features of cases in technical communications, and Providing a comprehensive annotated bibliography. Essay Four, on internship programs, points out that such programs are currently run in a rather loosely organized fashion and suggests ways to make them a more rigorous educational enterprise. Essay Five applies the perspective gained through using the integration techniques described in the other four essays, and demonstrates that technical communications' pedagogy in some areas is insensitive to students' career needs. Specific problem areas are described and appropriate remedies are offered.Ph.D.Science educationUniversity of Michiganhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/158206/1/8116188.pd