Andreas Karatsolis

Lessons from trying to develop a robust documentation exemplar

Software system documentation has been an integral part of the development process since the first efforts to design and implement large and robust systems. However, the focus of this documentation typically has been limited to the production of discrete artifacts, despite the richness of data and genres that surround it. Efforts to develop a robust documentation exemplar - Della - have not been completely successful, mainly because the provided documentation was largely ignored by many students for simpler but less effective alternate designs. This paper will present, in addition to the lessons learned from the Della project, some insights into the direction software system documentation now should be taking in support of large and long-lived systems.

Assessing visual literacy: The case of poster presentations

This article presents three distinct models of assessing poster presentations within the context of an introductory professional communication course as part of a science-based curriculum. The model which was based on a rhetorical approach, where the emphasis was placed on the audience, purpose and context of presentation for the poster, yielded the best results of the three models, both in terms of meeting desired learning outcomes and in terms of student satisfaction.

Supporting Technical Professionals’ Metacognitive Development in Technical Communication through Contrasting Rhetorical Problem Solving

ABSTRACT This article presents an experimental pedagogical framework for providing technical professionals with practice on writing skills focusing on the development of their metacognitive rhetorical awareness. The article outlines the theoretical foundation that led to the development of the framework, followed by a report of a pilot study involving information technology professionals in a global setting using an online learning environment that was designed based on the framework.

Designing an online learning environment to support the development of rhetorical skills

This short paper presents the design of Practikon, an experimental online learning environment, aimed at providing students and professionals, primarily in engineering and technical disciplines, with practice on technical communication skills and rhetorical strategies. The primary focus of this article is on the design and implementation of Practikons learning activities. The high-level design requirements are presented, followed by an overview of specific design choices. The results of the two exploratory pilot studies are then presented, along with the iterative design changes made based on the findings.

The role of communication in supporting innovation through research indicators

Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) are recognized as important strategic factors that shape and drive the socio-economic future of modern nations all around the globe. The growing economic and societal importance of STI has spurred the need for the collection and analysis of data that would be related to inputs, processes, outputs and impacts. However, the activity of communicating research outcomes to support global research policy has been reduced primarily to statistical models or data visualizations, with little consideration of the rhetorical nature of the deliberative documents produced to support this process. Based on the results of a large scale international survey on research indicators and outcomes, we argue for a renewed interest in the value of approaching questions of research value rhetorically, and thus highlighting the importance of effectively communicating research outcomes to stakeholders to bridge the gap between academia, industry and government.

Graphical abstracts: a taxonomy and critique of an emerging genre

Graphical abstracts---visual representations of the central concepts in an article---are emerging as a genre in STEM fields. Originally used in Chemistry to represent the primary molecules and reactions under investigation, graphical abstracts have spread to other science and engineering fields, and in the process have evolved significantly, adapting for different disciplines and contexts. In this paper, we describe the emergence and current ecology of graphical abstracts, and develop a multi-layer taxonomy for analyzing how graphical abstracts function visually and rhetorically, in relation to the rest of their associated article, and to their mediated context. Using this taxonomy, we begin to suggest ways for authors, editors, and publishers to align the functions more productively.

Learning Arabic Through Play Games on Tabletop Surface Computers in Early Childhood

This paper presents the use of educational games in the context of the “Arabiyyatii” research project, a three-year project funded through Qatar National Research Fund. The scope of the project is teaching Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) to kindergarten students (5-6 years old) that are native speakers of the Qatari dialect. Part of the new curriculum envisioned in the project includes the use of simple educational games, specifically designed and developed for tabletop surface computers. The paper presents a naturalistic study design, following the activities of 18 students for a period of 9 weeks in the project. The paper presents three of the most played games by the students, along with analysis on collected data, focusing on students’ performance and attitudes towards the new curriculum. Results analysis provided an encouraging image, suggesting that the conducted activity was able to increase students’ engagement in language learning, increase their exposure to MSA, and develop their vocabulary.

Using principles from architecture to inform HCI design

The field of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) Design has traditionally been very inclusive, as it emerged from the confluence of seemingly disparate disciplines, such as Computer Science, Information Design and even Rhetoric. However, this interdisciplinary orientation has not translated into direct conversations with other disciplines in order to explore a variety of actionable design strategies, which can inform future systems and interactions. This position paper explores one such possible relationship, arguing that HCI can benefit by drawing from other design fields, specifically Architecture. In order to understand how architectural design can inform better information design, we compare and contrast architectural design elements and principles to information architecture design elements within websites. We then use examples of both typical and award-winning architecture to compare to common and award-winning information architecture and website design, in order to draw parallels between the principles at work. The comparison specifically explores how architects of physical spaces create a sense of place through context and transition spaces, and provide users with a thorough understanding of they space they are navigating, concluding with implications for transfer into information design.

A methodology for understanding global communication practices

This paper describes the methodology component of a funded project which has brought together faculty on technical communication and the learning sciences from our campuses in the US and the Middle East. The goal of the project is to research, develop and disseminate in classrooms and local workplaces online modules aimed at improving professional communication practices. In order to understand such global practices, we developed a methodology which would accurately capture these practices and align them with learning objectives and goals. This methodology combines quantitative and qualitative approaches, including discourse-based interviews, student and professional work products, and literature research on student writing development.

The Mustawa framework: when collective intelligence meets intercultural communication

As global education expands and international campuses are established, a new generation of students is emerging. These students have the opportunity to experience three critical dimensions of cultural intelligence: intercultural exposure, cultural understanding and intercultural communication. However, for most people, increasing cultural intelligence without extensive interpersonal interactions is not easy or feasible. In this work we propose a framework that can capture the collective cultural knowledge of people around the world, allow them to share it and converse over it, and thus help to spread a more nuanced understanding of our cultures.