Browsing by Author "Hovde, Marjorie Rush"

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    Connecting in Online Technical Communication Courses: Addressing Usability Challenge for Students and Faculty Members
    (IEEE, 2016-07) Hovde, Marjorie Rush; Department of Technology and Leadership Communication, School of Engineering and Technology
    In designing and offering online technical communication courses, faculty members face many challenges, including attempting to assure the usability of the interface for students. This article addresses five of these challenges and provides options for faculty members to begin to address these challenges.
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    DESIGNING THE ULTIMATE VIDEO GAMING ENVIRONMENT: THESIS PORTION OF THE MOUNT OLIVE MISSIONARY BAPTIST SHELTER RENOVATION CAPSTONE PROJECT
    (Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, 2012-04-13) Rhodes, Jordan A.; Hovde, Marjorie Rush; Nickolson, Darrell D.
    When the client mentioned that he wanted the space adjoining the gam-ing space to appeal to college age adults, the importance of acoustical sepa-ration was placed into the forefront of my mind. Additionally, much has been said in the media about the negative health benefits of extended video gam-ing play. This thesis project will seek to uncover tangle characteristics of an enjoyable and healthy video gaming environment that can then be incorpo-rated into the overall design of the video gaming den. There is a particular focus on seating and acoustics. The space will need to preserve the experi-ence for the gamers and observers as well as preserve the peace for every-one else without the isolation that usually accompanies a game room. Seat-ing should facilitate a healthy gaming experience as well as add to the im-mersive quality of the gaming environment. In conjunction with the capstone course, this thesis project completes the interior design senior experience required for graduation.
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    Effective User Experience in Online Technical Communication Courses: Employing Multiple Methods within Organizational Contexts to Assess Usability
    (ACM, 2015) Hovde, Marjorie Rush; Department of Engineering Technology, School of Engineering and Technology
    In teaching online technical communication courses, shaping an electronic interface requires extensive consideration of the user experience, both for students and for faculty members who design and teach the courses. Technical communication faculty members should provide strong examples of effective user experiences and should be leaders in making the interfaces of online learning management systems as usable as possible. Principles of usability designed for general web sites may or may not apply to learning management systems designed for educational purposes. In order to create effective online technical communication courses, one needs to consider both usability concerns and pedagogical concerns. To assess the usability and pedagogical effectiveness of online courses, faculty members may use indirect means such as heuristic analyses. In addition, they may use direct means such as usability testing, student feedback, and analytic tools. Each approach has advantages as well as limitations. Faculty members will gain the richest information through using multiple approaches. In assessing usability and pedagogical effectiveness, faculty members also need to consider the situational constraints and resources in their unique contexts. Understanding and adapting their approaches to use resources well and to work within constraints will benefit their abilities to enhance their student users' experiences with online courses.
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    A Multimodal Analysis of Two Publications Intended for the Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Patient
    (2010-07-19T18:50:30Z) MacDougall, Deborah Skinner; Hovde, Marjorie Rush; Henderson, Mark A.; Weeden, Scott R.
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    Negotiating Organizational Constraints: Tactics for Technical Communicators
    (Canadian Association for the Study of Discourse and Writing, 2002) Hovde, Marjorie Rush
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    Preparing Technical Communication Students for Workplace Practitioner Research
    (IEEE, 2017-07) Hovde, Marjorie Rush; Technology and Leadership Communication, School of Engineering and Technology
    Practitioner research in technical communication differs from general or academic research. Technical communication students need to develop abilities to conduct research into subject matter, audience, and communication approaches within workplace contexts to meet situated needs. This article explores differences between the two realms of research and discusses implications for teaching practitioner research abilities. It closes with examples of and ideas for teaching practitioner research abilities to technical communication students. Such courses can provide students with crucial abilities and knowledge to guide decisions during the creation of technical communication products.
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    Technical Communication and Project Management: A Mixed Methods Study in a Corporate Context
    (IEEE, 2018-07) Miller, Rosemarie T.; Hovde, Marjorie Rush; Technology and Leadership Communication, School of Engineering and Technology
    A mid-size manufacturing business grew from a family start-up to a global leader in less than three decades, but no plan was developed for Project Management or Technical Communication. Recently upper management acknowledged this corporate weakness and asked us to research interdepartmental communication, with emphasis on New Product Development. Formal Project Management had not previously been attempted at this company, and New Product Development was conducted as a committee. After a literature review, we conducted a mixed-method study to assess employee satisfaction with current project processes, technology, and communication. A survey combining two existing tools was administered to all personnel in departments involved with New Product Development. Downs and Hazen's Communication Satisfaction Questionnaire was tailored to evaluate the company's communications, and a customized version of the Universal Technology Adoption and Use Theory tool assessed technology use and acceptance within the company. Subsequent to the survey, all department managers directly involved with New Product Development at the organization were interviewed. Quantitative results were analyzed statistically, and qualitative results were analyzed through open coding. Findings from this study can provide insight into the dynamics of improving both Project Management and Technical Communication within a corporate context.