MA Technical Communication MA Online Communication
Nov 11, 2014
MA Technical Communication MA Online Communication
Welcome to Sheffield Hallam University
Webinar outline
History Staff expertise Course content Student experience
Expertise in Communication Studies
BACS1970s MACS1980s MATC1990s MAEC2000s
Brief history
A suggestion from the Rolls Royce TC manager
MA ‘technical authorship’ created in 1991
Wider constituency: evolving TC role editors, translators content managers
Renamed MATC in 2001
Need for a different course: MAe-C (2001) Collaboration with
Computing Studies Renamed MAOC in
2007 Constituency
Intranet comms external web comms digital engagement
MA Technical Communication
MA Online Communication
Team background
A team of academics and ‘hybrids’ -professionals who are now teaching topics related to former work practices
MA
Prof N Williams
A-F Dujardin
Dr G Green
Dr M Beaken
D FarbeyDr K Edwards
K Burnett
J Gillin
C O’Toole
Course overview
Pg Certificate – 3 short modules and a year-long module
Pg Diploma – 3 short modules and a year-long module
Master’s –dissertation project
Pg Certificate year TC
Portfolio of reflective practice
Communication planning and
theory
Language and writing
Information design
Pg Certificate year OC
Portfolio of reflective practice
Corporate communicatio
n
Digital media and society
Social media use in orgs
Student background
Preferred A good Honours degree Relevant professional experience
Suitable Professional qualifications (eg professional
membership) Relevant professional experience
One thing students have in common a (long) gap since they studied formally no experience of online learning
Value of professional knowledge
There are three key sources of knowledge development on the MA course.
Different perspectives help you consider your practice in depth.
Tutors
Literature
Peers
The online learning experience
Online learning environment
Work practices
Reading
Work-based tasks
Own time and space
Social media use
Traditional media Social media
Group blogging Social
bookmarking Screencasting Micro-blogging
A new challenge
Mode of study
Level of study
Studying your practice and context
Managing time
Benefits of studying MA TC/OC Only online degrees of this kind in the
UK A sense of achievement and self-
validation: communication is an academic discipline
A widening of perspectives on professional communication
More aware of workplace practices (own and that of other workers in the same industry)
A distinctive CV!
Any questions or comments?
• Prospectushttp://www.shu.ac.uk/prospectus/
• Study fair (1st December) http://www.shu.ac.uk/ad/studyfair/
• Applicationhttp://www.shu.ac.uk/study/form.html
• Course [email protected]
Online information Online information
If you want to get started…
Denscombe, M. (2010) The Good Research Guide: For Small-scale Social Research Projects. Open University Press, 4th ed.
Windahl, S., Signitzer, B. & Olson, J.T. (2009) Using Communication Theory: an Introduction to Planned Communication. Sage.
Burnett, R.E.(2005) Technical Communication. Wadsworth, 6th ed.
Schriver, K.A. (1997) Dynamics in Document Design: Creating Texts for Readers. Wiley.
Denscombe, M. (2010) The Good Research Guide: For Small-scale Social Research Projects. Open University Press, 4th ed.
Windahl, S., Signitzer, B. & Olson, J.T. (2009) Using Communication Theory: an Introduction to Planned Communication. Sage.
Cornelissen, J (2008) Corporate Communication: A Guide to Theory and Practice. Sage, 2nd ed.
Ess, C. (2009) Digital Media Ethics. Polity
Donelan, H., Kear, K. and Ramage, M. (Eds.) (2009) Online Communica- tion and Collaboration: A Reader. Routledge.
MATC core readings MAOC core readings