This book contains presentations made at a series of 3-day workshops held in Kentucky to prepare vocational educators to write proposals, progress reports, and final reports for research and development efforts. Workshop presentation included "Need for Research and Development in Vocational-Technical Education," by Robert Warmbrod,…

This paper describes two methods of EST (English for Science and Technology) paragraph development: rhetorical process development and rhetorical function-shift development. A series of hypotheses set up to account for explicit and implicit information in some EST function-shift paragraphs that students have had difficulty learning to understand…

Describes a study which shows that large communications classes can be taught as effectively as smaller ones if the instructor uses "environmental" teaching methods, in which extensive student participation is guided through the use of explicit learning strategies and objectives. (MM)

The present study investigated the Egyptian postgraduate students' difficulties in writing abstracts in English. In order to achieve the objectives of this study, a list of criteria for writing a good and effective abstract has been developed in the light of the review of literature. Besides, a content analysis of 35 abstracts written in English…

This document presents 48 papers delivered at the 2000 annual meeting of the Council for Programs in Technical and Scientific Communication (CPTSC). Papers in the proceedings are divided into 14 subsections: (1) Keynote Presentation: "Global Classroom Project (T. K. Herrington); (2) Opening Session Address: "What Industry Looks for in…

This collection of lectures, which is the viewpoint that considers writing not only as a thinking tool but also a communication tool, and thus, a tool of interaction. addresses the interactive view of writing. Also included in the collection are two articles by Danish and Turkish writing researchers on writing in English as a Foreign Language…

This paper discusses the dilemma of the non-specialist teacher of English for Specific Purposes (ESP) or English for Science and Technology when faced with technical content, and describes the response of De La Salle University (Philippines) that broadened the graduate curriculum to help develop future ESP teacher competencies. The personal…

Four French language class activities are described, including a game using proverbs to review animal names and encourage comprehension; videotaping a class debate in French, to promote both exchange of ideas and student confidence before a group; a role-playing exercise in which a television news program is created; and a specialized activity to…

A discussion of writing instruction in law school begins with an overview of the writing process, then looks more closely at student and teacher roles at each stage, offering suggestions for students and teachers. It concludes with ideas about institutional and curricular change that might make scholarly writing in law school a more satisfying…

Conducts a scenario-based usability test with 10 data analysts using visual querying (visually analyzing data with interactive graphics). Details a range of difficulties found in visual selection that, at times, gave rise to inaccurate selections, invalid conclusions, and misguided decisions. Argues that support for visual selection must be built…

An online writing center developed at the University of Antwerp, Belgium, called Calliope, provides a modular platform aimed at enhancing learners' professional writing skills in five different languages: Dutch, English, French, German, and Spanish. It supports courses in business and technical communication. The current version includes modules…

We study the comprehension of a multimedia technical document about gear functioning by young pupils. The research is focused on the effect of three factors on the construction of a mental model: illustration format (animated versus static) signaling cues (presence versus absence) learner-control of information delivery (three rhythms of…

This handbook, which was written by researchers with expertise in Australia's technical and further education (TAFE) system, provides background information about the following: approaches to research in vocational education and training (VET); the range of methods normally used in research and their the application to VET; and procedures for…

West Virginia Northern Community College provided workplace literacy education and training for employees of Weirton Steel Corporation and Union Carbide Corporation. For Weirton Steel the training included 4,040 hours of instruction in fundamental literacy skills (reading, writing, speaking, and math), oral and written communications (including…

The teacher of a course in English for special purposes (ESP) developed a needs assessment as a basis for modifying the course syllabus to prepare limited-English-speaking college students for academic work in agriculture. The needs assessment included faculty interviews and an analysis of student papers written for agriculture courses, including…