Module Overview for Week of August 26: Introduction to the Course

Welcome to Technical Writing. Information on all assignments, weekly activities, and related resources for this course will be posted here on Canvas. Check this site regularly for the details on what to do for the course.

As noted on the Syllabus & Course Info, Requirements, Policies document on the homepage, this course is designed to acquaint you with the concepts and modes of writing that you will encounter in the workplace. In terms of what you will be writing about and the genres you will be learning, you should expect this course to be very different from first-year writing (composition) and other courses in which you have produced written work.

This first module is designed to introduce you to the structure and the expectations for this course and to make you aware of resources that are available to you as a student.

Objectives for this Module

After completing this introductory module, you will be able to

Identify the course policies, schedule, and expectations.
Describe the course grading policies and standards.
Identify the technology requirements for the course.
Understand what learner support services are available to you, as well as identify privacy and accessibility policies and resources.

Readings for the Week of August 26

These readings are designed to orient you to the course plan, expectations, and grading standards, as well as to provide you with information about technology requirements, learner support, and privacy.

Syllabus & Course Info, Requirements, Policies
This is an embedded Google Doc, which includes all the basic information on the course. You can also jump directly to the following information, in a Google Doc window. It may take a moment for the correct section to scroll into view:
Succeeding in an Online Course
What Is a Module?
Weekly Schedule in Technical Writing
Daily Discussion Posts (DDPs)
1. #TuesdayTutorial: Resources on How to Use Canvas (Available 08/27)
2. #WednesdayWrite: Share Your Workplace Writing Secrets (Available 08/28)
3. #ThursdayThought: Age Differences & Communication at Work (Available 08/29)
4. #FridayFact: People May Not Trust Your Facts (Available 08/30)

Activities for the Week of August 26

Time Required: 5–6 hours, including reading time
Available Points: 675
Due Dates:

All work is due by 11:59 PM on Friday, August 30.
The grace period for these activities ends at 11:59 PM on Tuesday, September 3. You get an extra day in the grace period because of Labor Day.

Daily Discussion Posts Activities

Contribute to any or all of the following Daily Discussion Posts (DDPs) in Canvas:
- #TuesdayTutorial: Resources on How to Use Canvas (Available 08/27)
- #WednesdayWrite: Share Your Workplace Writing Secrets (Available 08/28)
- #ThursdayThought: Age Differences & Communication at Work (Available 08/29)
- #FridayFact: People May Not Trust Your Facts (Available 08/30)
Complete the DDP Self-Assessment for the Week of 08/26 to report the work you did and record your grade (100 points for all four discussions and replies). Be sure to read the self-assessment at the beginning of the week so that you understand the expectation.

Writing Activities

Take the Syllabus Verification Quiz (100 points), after reading the Syllabus & Course Info, Requirements, Policies
- This quiz asks you to confirm that you have read the introductory material about the course. You must earn credit for the Syllabus Verification Quiz in this section before you can access Module 2: Introduction to Technical Writing.
Fill out the Course Schedule Plan (100 points), after reading the information on Succeeding in an Online Course.
- This quiz asks you to create a work plan for the term so that you can be sure you have time to do your work.
Complete the Two Interview Questions to Introduce Yourself activity (125 points).
- This activity asks you to share two stories with me to help me learn more about you.
Complete the Brain Dump: Communication in Your Field activity (100 points).
- This activity asks you to write down everything you know about writing and communication in your field. You will use what you write later in the term when you work on your first Major Writing Project.
Participate in the Group Discussions (150 points):
- Contribute to any or all of the following Discussions in Canvas:
- Complete the Writing Activities Self-Assessment for the Week of 08/26 to report the work you did and record your grade (up to 150 points for all three discussions). Be sure to read the self-assessment at the beginning of the week so that you understand the expectation.
Ask any questions about the course in the General Q and A Discussion (0 points) in Canvas.
- Asking a question is not required. Use the Inbox tool in Canvas for questions about grades or personal information that should not be shared with the class.

Photo Credit: Typer by Caleb Roenigk on Flickr Links to an external site., used under a CC-BY 2.0 license.