Teaching and Training for Global Engineering Perspectives on Culture and Professional Communication Practices

• An in-depth analysis of how cultural factors influence translation, document design, and visual communication
• A review of approaches for addressing the issue of international communication in a range of classes and training sessions 
• A summary of strategies for engaging in effective e-learning in international contexts
• A synopsis of how to incorporate emerging media into international teaching and training practices

Kirk St.Amant is the Eunice C. Williamson Endowed Chair in Technical Communication at Louisiana Tech University, USA. Dr. St.Amant has previously worked on international projects for companies such as Metronic, VERITAS Software, The Braun Corporation, Unisys, Humanitarian Demining Information Center (HDIC), and the Consortium for the Enhancement of Ukrainian Management Education (CEUME).

Note from the Series Editor, xvii
Foreword, xix
Acknowledgments, xxvii
Introduction, xxix

SECTION I DESIGN CONTEXTS
1 The Imperative of Teaching Linguistics to Twenty-First-Century Professional Communicators 3
Bruce Maylath and Steven Hammer
1.1 Introduction, 4
1.2 Why Linguistics? The Dangers of Monolingualism, 5
1.3 Linguistic Knowledge - Where Did It Go?, 6
1.4 Linguistics for the Professional Engineer and Communicator, 8
1.5 Conclusion, 15
2 Cultural Contexts in Document Design 19
Yiqin Wang and Dan Wang
2.1 The Challenges of International Communication, 19
2.2 Literature Review, 21
2.3 Study Design, 25
2.4 High- or Low-Context Culture and the Extent of Explicit Description, 26
2.5 Thought Pattern and Content Organization, 29
2.6 Cultural Contexts in Text-Graphic Relationships, 33
2.7 Cultural Backgrounds, 38
2.8 Applying Ideas to Training in Technical and Professional Communication, 39
2.9 Conclusion, 42
3 Teaching Image Standards in a Post-Globalization Age 47
Audrey G. Bennett
3.1 Image Design and Consumption in a Post-Globalization Age, 48
3.2 Socially Conscious Communication Design and the Evolution of Image Standards, 49
3.3 Standards for Communicatively Effective Images, 52
3.4 Implementing Objective Metrics in Technical and Professional Communication Classes, 56
3.5 Conclusion, 63

SECTION II SOCIETAL CONTEXTS
4 Linux on the Education Desktop: Bringing the "Glocal" into the Technical Communication Classroom 69
Brian D. Ballentine
4.1 Introduction, 69
4.2 Linux-Dominance and Absence in Different Markets, 70
4.3 Linux on the Desktop, 74
4.4 Aggressive Evangelism, 78
4.5 Extremadura, 80
4.6 The Glocal, 82
4.7 Situating Professional Communication Students in the Glocal, 82
4.8 Using Linux on the Desktop, 83
4.9 Conclusion, 87
5 Teaching the Ethics of Intercultural Communication 91
Dan Voss and Bethany Aguad
5.1 Introduction: Globalization Introduces an Intercultural Dimension to Business Ethics, 92
5.2 Literature Review Represents the Intersection of Ethics, Intercultural Communication, and Science/Engineering, 93
5.3 Four Classical Ethical Models Form the Foundation for Studying the Ethics of Intercultural Communication, 98
5.4 Two Value Models Help Rank Values to Resolve Conflicts in Favor of the Greatest Good or the Least Harm, 103
5.5 Value Models within Technology-Based Companies and Professional Associations Offer Broad Ethical Perspectives, 106
5.6 Before Analyzing Ethical Conflicts in an Intercultural Context, Its Important to Understand the Cultural Differences Involved, 109
5.7 Analyzing Case Histories via a Multi-Tiered Process of Ethical Models and Cultural Filters that Clarifies Ethical Conflicts, Defines Alternative Actions, and Predicts Outcomes, 116
5.8 Suggestions for Integrating the Specialized Topic of this Chapter into Academic Courses and Industry Training Classes, 118
5.9 Conclusion: The Authors Invite Further Research and Contributions, 121

SECTION III ONLINE CONTEXTS
6 Autonomous Learning and New Possibilities for Intercultural Communication in Online Higher Education in Mexico 127
Cesar Correa Arias
6.1 Introduction, 128
6.2 The Nature and Characteristics of Autonomous Learning, 129
6.3 Understanding and Applying Autonomous Learning, 134
6.4 The Role of ICTs in Autonomous Learning, 139
6.5 The Culture of Autonomous Learning Inside Institutions of Higher Education, 140
6.6 Conclusion, 145
7 E-Learning and Technical Communication for International Audiences 149
Darina M. Slattery and Yvonne Cleary
7.1 Teaching Technical Communication and E-Learning: An Introduction, 149
7.2 An Overview of Learning Pedagogies, 150
7.3 Intercultural Communication Pedagogies, 155
7.4 The Irish Context for Technical Communication and E-Learning, 158
7.5 The Configuration of our Program, 160
7.6 The Assignments in the MA Program, 164
7.7 Connecting Student Work to Different Contexts, 167
7.8 Conclusion, 169
8 Teaching and Training with a Flexible Module for Global Virtual Teams 173
Pam Estes Brewer
8.1 Introduction, 173
8.2 The Origins of the Approach Presented in This Chapter, 174
8.3 International Virtual Communication and Experiential Learning, 175
8.4 Teaching the Topic, 179
8.5 Observations/Reflections/Theory Development for All Classes, 185
8.6 Global Virtual Team Teaching Module, 190
8.7 Conclusion, 195

SECTION IV EDUCATIONAL CONTEXTS
9 Strategies for Developing International Professional Communication Products 201
Helen M. Grady
9.1 Introduction to International Technical Communication, 201
9.2 Review of the Literature, 202
9.3 The International Technical Communication Course, 204
9.4 Conclusion, 215
10 Teaching Cultural Heuristics Through Narratives: A Transdisciplinary Approach 219
Han Yu
10.1 A Transdisciplinary Approach for Global Engineers, 219
10.2 Overview of Cultural Heuristics, 220
10.3 Critiques and Counter-Critiques of Cultural Heuristics: How to Move Forward from Misguided Debates, 222
10.4 Overview of Cultural Narratives, 227
10.5 Implement the Transdisciplinary Approach: Teach Cultural Heuristics Through Narratives, 230
10.6 Potential Limitations: How to Select Quality Cultural Narratives, 234
10.7 Conclusion, 236
11 Assessing Intercultural Outcomes in Engineering Programs 239
Darla K. Deardorff and Duane L. Deardorff
11.1 Introduction, 240
11.2 An Introduction to the Literature of Outcome Assessments, 241
11.3 Exploring Some Limitations to Intercultural Assessment Research, 244
11.4 Strategies for Quality Assessment of Intercultural Learning Outcomes, 246
11.5 Developing an Assessment Plan, 249
11.6 Quality Assessment, 252
11.7 Developing Intercultural Competence in Students, 254
11.8 An Example of Intercultural Assessment, 256
11.9 Assessing Intercultural Outcomes in Engineering Programs, 258
11.10 Conclusion, 258

Biographies, 263
Index, 269

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