Spotlight on Education: Talking with Leah Guren on TechComm 101

Leah Guren is the presenter of the highly popular TechComm 101 online course (as well as guest editor for the November/December Intercom, which is open to the public with a theme of TechComm 101). Starting on 9 January she's teaching two sections of the course: one from 10:30 AM-Noon EST (GMT-5) and another timed for a global audience, from 7:00-8:30 AM GMT (that's 2:00-3:30 AM EST (GMT-5)), every Thursday for seven weeks. Registration is now open for both sections, so sign up today! Your Friendly Neighborhood Blogger asked Leah a few questions about the course.

Can you give me the short version of “What is TechComm 101”?

TechComm 101 is a short, compressed course covering the key theory of technical communication, plus some basic writing skills. Rather than learning a bunch of rote rules, participants learn how to analyze a documentation project, make knowledge-based decisions, and understand the science behind what we do.

Who's the target audience? Who should consider taking this course?

Ideal candidates for TechComm 101 are:

  • people completely new to technical communication (either just started or thinking about starting)
  • people who entered the field with no formal training
  • senior writers and department managers who need to coach or train writers

You've presented this course probably 15 times, if not more, and it's still going strong as one of our most popular online courses. Why do you think that is?

I think that people like the short duration, the blend of theory with practical application, and the amount of feedback and interaction. Most people also appreciate that the course is taught at an advanced level (even though it covers basic concepts). That is, I assume people are intelligent, well-educated, responsible adults, and therefore provide homework that is very challenging and makes them think. Further, the content is extremely practical; most graduates say that they apply what they learned in class continually in their work.

Once again you're teaching the course twice in the same day—once at a time suited for North America and once at a time geared toward a global audience. Why is it important for you to do so and take on twice the work?

STC is an international professional society. It is extremely important to me to support STC's efforts to provide programming that is available to all members. While the regular TechComm 101 time slot works well for members across North America and Europe, it is impossible for members in Asia-Pacific. As I sit partway between North America and Far East times, I can comfortably manage both time slots.

What are some of the “success stories,” so to speak, that you've heard from previous attendees?

Participants have told me that this course has made them appreciate how much “bigger” technical communication is (the depth and breadth of the profession). Many have told me that they they feel far more professional, more confident, and were able to create a game plan for ongoing career training. As one student said, “Now I know what I don't know!” Many students say that the course improved their critical thinking skills. Finally, there have been those over the years who have taken the course to see if technical communication is the right career choice. For some of them, the answer was a resounding NO. One student said that it was well worth the time and effort, because people had been encouraging her to consider this profession (she knew nothing about it). After this course, she understood that it did not suit her aptitudes and temperament. “You probably saved me a lot of money and frustration,” she told me.

Anything else you'd like to add?

My students all know that I am passionate about technical communication. I think that it is a brilliant career for people who like an intellectual challenge, aren't afraid of technology and science, and like writing. I try to pass that passion on to each new group of students.

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