Educating technical communicators in the 1990s

[James Conklin <James_Conklin -at- JJCONKLIN -dot- MB -dot- CA>]

I have noticed several discussions on the list concerning the education of
technical communicators.  If you are interested in this topic and are
planning to attend the STC's international conference in Minneapolis, I
urge you to take in the Education & Research PIC's focus groups on
educating technical communicators.

(If participants in this Listserv are interested, I could post a summary
of the focus group results at the end of May.)

Here is a brief description of the event.

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"Planning the Education of Technical Communicators During the Next Ten Years"

*Summary*

One of the highlights of the STC's annual conference in Minneapolis will
be the Education and Research PIC's focus groups on educating technical
communicators in the next ten years.  These focus groups will continue the
dialogue begun in focus groups organized by Ken Rainey and Katherine
Staples, Education & Research PIC, at the 1993 annual conference in
Dallas. Participants discussed how partnerships among the Society,
business and industry, and colleges and univerities could strengthen
academic programs in technical communication, empower the profession, and
promote research.
The discussion this year will concentrate on the education needed
(undergraduate/graduate as well as continuing) by technical communicators
to meet the future demands of our profession.

*Date and time:*

Monday, May 16, 1994, 2-5 p.m.
(Session ET 3E & ET 4E)

*Agenda*

1.  Introduction by Sherry Southard, East Carolina University (Moderator)

2.  Speakers Representing Various Viewpoints in STC to Initiate Discussion
    (5 minutes each)

  - JoAnn Hackos, Comtech Services (Business & Industry)
  - Carol Barnum, Southern College of Technology (Academe)
  - Stuart Selber, Michigan Technological University (Students)
  - Saul Carliner, STC Second Vice President  (STC)

3.  Organization of Focus Groups by Rita Reaves, East Carolina University
   (Assistant Moderator)

4.  Discussion in Focus Groups (60 minutes)

5.  Summary Session (30 minutes)