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Engineers take on Writing: Integrating Technical Writing Instruction Into Second- and Third-year Engineering Courses. Scott D. Peterson, Department of English Allison Whitney, Electrical and Computer Engineering Eric Beenfeldt, Electrical and Computer Engineering University of Maine.
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Engineers take on Writing: Integrating Technical Writing InstructionInto Second- and Third-year Engineering Courses Scott D. Peterson, Department of English Allison Whitney, Electrical and Computer Engineering Eric Beenfeldt, Electrical and Computer Engineering University of Maine
Key concerns about the writing ability of ECE graduates • Inability to identify critical information, Incorrect grammar or syntax, Poor Organization • Imprecise language, Poor readability, Lack of Clarity • Inability to summarize, Poor report format, Wordiness • Weak analysis, Spelling • Inaccurate statements, Poor technical vocabulary
Benefits of the new approach and new writing assignments • ECE students introduced to and make use of technical communication concepts earlier. • Shorter assignments raise quality of student writing and instructor feedback. • Scenarios develop professional context and anticipate on-the-job writing situations. • Team-teaching reinforces instruction by ECE and English Department faculty.