Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Class Meetings:

Weekly class meetings via Zoom and online learning via D2L. We'll often work in groups during our Zoom class time, where you'll be researching, analyzing, and creating documents in real time. As a result, I recommend using a computer to attend our Zoom classes (and not your smartphone). 

Textbooks:

There are no textbooks you need to buy. I use Open Educational Resources (OER) and will provide additional materials through D2L Brightspace.

Grading:

In our class, we'll use a growth mindset model to actively learn, make mistakes, and revise coursework. As technical and professional writers, we need to learn new topics, skillsets, and software for our jobs. My goal is to give you a safe space to apply rhetorical concepts across multiple writing genres and learn new software applications. 

Mistakes are encouraged! You will struggle with new concepts, but that struggle is how our brains create new neural pathways and grow. As your learning mentor, I'll be there to give you resources, tips, and feedback to help you on your learning journey. 

Course Modules:

This course introduces technical and professional communications through three project-based learning modules:

• Module 1: Professional Communications 
• Module 2: Job Application Materials
• Module 3: Technical Documentation for Smartphone Applications (Group Project) 

To help us gain and develop the skills needed to accomplish each module project, we'll have weekly readings, quizzes, in-class and process assignments to be completed before you turn in your final drafts of your module projects.

You are meant to “play” and “actively learn” through mistakes in your in-class and process assignments, so you can revise your content and submit polished final drafts. 

Instructor Intro:

Hi, I'm Jess! 

I'm originally from Southern California. I went to school in the Bay area, and I taught at San Jose State University before moving to the Portland area. I also work as a technical writer, graphic designer, and/or communications specialist when I'm not teaching, so document design and visual rhetoric are pretty close to my heart. 

If you want class projects based on real-world experiences, then look no further! My hope is to give you learning opportunities that prepare you for the technical writing industry.

• Microsoft Office (free with PCC student email address)
• We will use Microsoft Word to learn how to program style guides for accessibility readers and to complete writing assignments. 
• Wix (free accounts available; you should not pay for anything on this platform)
• We’ll use this website platform to complete our module on Technical Documentation for Smartphone Applications. 
• Climpchamp (free accounts available; you should not pay for anything on this platform)
• We’ll use this website platform to complete our module on Computer Software Tutorials. 
• Zoom (free with PCC student email address)
• We will use Zoom for our weekly virtual class sessions and to record footage for our module on Computer Software Tutorials. 
• Smartphone
• You'll need a smartphone to complete our module on Technical Documentation for Smartphone Applications. 
• You'll need to be able to download an app from your phone's app store and take screenshots for documentation purposes.   
• Computer / Laptop
• Your computer or laptop should have a working video camera and microphone. 
• Since we're using PCC’s version of Word, you'll need a Windows or Mac. Chromebooks do not support PCC’s version of Word. 
• Reliable internet connection

Check your computer's technical specifications to make sure you can download and run the applications mentioned above:

• Zoom Comparison Table for different platforms.
• Clipchamp hardware requirements and troubleshooting tips. 
• Wix Support Browser list.
• PCC’s Microsoft Application Compatibility with different devices.