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DAY |
READINGS AND DAILY ASSIGNMENTS |
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Procedural documentation: User's Guide |
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1 |
Introduction to the course UNDERSTANDING
TASK ORIENTATION: Read Ch. 1; Discussion: Introduction to Task Orientation |
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2 |
WRITING PROCEDURES: Read Ch. 3; Analyze
examples in class. |
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3 |
PLANNING, Read Ch. 6; In-class exercise
in planning. |
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4 |
Review preliminary plans. |
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5 |
ANALYZING YOUR USERS, Read Ch. 5;
Homework Exercise 1: Analyze documentation situations |
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6 |
Draft due. GETTING USEFUL REVIEWS: Read
Ch. 7; Examine use examples, (review activities). |
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7 |
CONDUCTING USABILITY TESTS: Read Ch. 8;
Exercise in usability testing. Notes on Reviews. |
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8 |
Test due. Discussion: The Default
Users Guide. |
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9 |
GETTING THE LANGUAGE RIGHT: Read Ch. 12;
Exercises: Indexing 101, Homework Exercise 2: Write a rotten procedure.
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Tutorial documentation: Tutorial
Manual
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10 |
Users Guide due. WRITING TUTORIAL
DOCUMENTATION: Read Ch. 2. |
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11 |
Homework Exercise 4: Learning Styles.
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12 |
Plan due. Discussion: Cross-Cultural
Communication. |
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13 |
GETTING USEFUL REVIEWS: Review Ch. 5;
Exercise: Tutorial vs. Instructions |
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14 |
Draft due. Review of drafts. |
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15 |
DESIGNING FOR TASK ORIENTATION: Read Ch.
10; Design Planning form. |
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16 |
Test due. |
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17 |
LAYING OUT PAGES AND SCREENS: Read Ch.
11: Homework Exercise 3: Document Un-Design. |
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Support documentation: Help System
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18 |
Tutorial due. WRITING REFERENCE
DOCUMENTATION: Read Ch 4. |
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19 |
Exercise: Make a library entry from an
example you find. Workshop on authoring system. |
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20 |
Plan due. Question-and answer-session
about the assignment. More tips on working with an authoring system.
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21 |
Activity: Outlining Help systems. Use
the Help System Outline document to create an outline of your help
system. Save a copy for yourself and print one for your instructor or
writing group. |
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22 |
USING GRAPHICS EFFECTIVELY: Read Ch. 13. |
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23 |
Draft due. DESIGNING INDEXES: Read
Ch. 14. |
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24 |
Discussion: Help System Examples. |
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25 |
Test due. EDITING AND FINE TUNING: Read
Ch. 9. |
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26 |
Homework Exercise 5: Study differences
between manuals using controlled language. Guidelines for Editing. |
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27 |
Help System due. |
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28 |
Work on the final exam in groups,
discussing possible users and weaknesses of the subject documents. |
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29 |
Final exam |
