September 17, 2015 How to Design Documentation with Users in Mind by David Dick

Sign up today and join the STC IDL SIG and the UUX SIG for “How to Design Documentation with Users in Mind” by David Dick on September 17, 2015.

10:30 am Pacific / 11:30 am Mountain / 12:30 pm Central / 1:30 pm Eastern

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About the webinar

How to Design Documentation with Users in Mind

We all have ideas about how something works; and we all have ideas about how something should work. These ideas are based on our previous experiences with the same or similar products. When products work the way users think they should work, they can successfully use them. When products do not work the way users think they should work, they get frustrated.

Cognitive psychology refers to the way we develop an understanding of how something works as a “mental model.” Mental models are a key concept in the development of user guides, tutorials, demonstrations, and user assistance.

This webinar teaches practical approaches to understanding user’s mental models, and the types of documentation we can use to help users develop an accurate understanding about the product, and how to use it successfully.

Intended audience: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, or All Audiences

All levels and all audiences, especially practitioners of instructional design, training documentation, user assistance, and user experience

About the speaker

David Dick

I am an STC Fellow, Manager of the Usability and User Experience SIG, member of the Washington, D.C. – Baltimore Chapter, and co-author of “Web Services, Service-Oriented Architectures, and Cloud Computing: the Savvy Manager’s Guide.” You can follow my musings about usability at http://notebook.stc.org/tag/david-dick/.

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Register for the Instructional Design Certificate Course by Saul Carliner

INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN FOR TECHNICAL COMMUNICATORS
Saul Carliner, PhD, CTDP, Associate Professor of Educational Technology, Concordia University (Montreal) and Author, “Training Design Basics”
28 July–18 August 2015 (Tuesdays)
11:00 AM–12:30 PM EDT (GMT-4)

STC is offering an online Certificate course in Instructional Design, taught by Saul Carliner, PhD, CTDP.

For more information or to register, go to the STC website at http://www.stc.org///education/online-education/certificate-courses/item/instructional-design-for-technical-communicators

Where to find your IDL SIG colleagues at the Summit (#STC15)

Update: See photos of us in the IDL SIG at #STC15 post.

Also see 2015 Business Meeting Presentation slides.

Read Where to find your IDL SIG colleagues at the 2015 Summit as a pdf.

Here is a quick overview of where you can find us, how you will recognize us, and ways to network with us – and each other, of course. http://lanyrd.com/2015/stc15/

Registration Opens

9:00 AM–8:00 PM
Regency Ballroom Foyer, 3rd Floor

IDL-Sticker-2010First and foremost – when you pick up your packages at the Registration desk, look for the IDL SIG lightbulb stickers near the self-serve ribbons that you can attach to your name tag. Put a sticker in a prominent place on your name tag and then keep an eye out for your fellow members with the same sticker.

In the Programs’ order, here is where you can find your fellow SIG members or one of the leadership team:

Leadership Program

Sunday, 21 June, from 8 AM to noon (free)
Hayes, 1st Floor
http://lanyrd.com/sdhxdz

The program offers an opportunity for STC community members to get together for sharing and learning, and it won’t be the same without YOU. There are a number of reasons you’ll want to attend the Leadership Program.

Networking

The Leadership Program agenda has time set aside for one-on-one networking and ice-breaker activities. During the breakout sessions, you’ll have the opportunity to chat with your group about their superpowers and kryptonite. Come armed with a pile of business cards and swap contact information with the crew.

Resources

At the Leadership Program, you’ll pick up a pile of handouts and collect an assortment of Web links. Each of the presenters at the breakout sessions will bring their supporting material to share with attendees. The Community Affairs Committee (CAC) will give you a tour of our online resources, webinars, email lists, outreach team, and Body of Knowledge. Leave room in your suitcase for resources and swag.

Inspiration

Hearing your fellow professionals talk about the great things happening in their communities will inspire and energize you. You’ll be surrounded by some of the brightest and best innovators in the #TechComm profession. As we announce award winners, you’ll catch some of the excitement and pride of a job well done. Come out and celebrate the accomplishments of a great 2014-2015 with us as we gear up for more success in 2016.

Welcome Reception

Sunday, 21 June
7:00–8:30 PM Battelle South, 3rd Floor
Expo Hall Open
http://lanyrd.com/sdkkhy

Education sessions

Monday
Watch for these IDL members who are presenting today:

  • BPMN Basics: What You Need to Know for Your Content Strategy Monday, 22 June at 3:45-4:30 PM Jackie Damrau http://lanyrd.com/sdhdkz

Speed Networking

Monday 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM Exhibit hall (Battelle South)
(Pre-registration is required)
http://lanyrd.com/sdkkkc

This is event is open to Summit registrants and will be a great opportunity to meet other attendees early in the Summit program.

STC’s Annual Business Meeting

Monday 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Regency Ballroom, 3rd Floor
http://lanyrd.com/sdkptr

Watch Bernard Aschwanden become the newest President. Hear the plans for the coming year and see governance in action.

Take me out to the Ballgame!

Monday 7:00 PM (offsite)
(Pre-registration and payment required)
http://lanyrd.com/sdkptq

SIG Business Meeting

Tuesday 7:00 AM,
Regency Ballroom

Anyone staying at the Hyatt Columbus will receive a voucher for a continental breakfast. Bring your voucher down to the Regency Ballroom and join us for a breakfast meeting where we will fill you in on our plans for the upcoming year. This is also where we hold nominations for the elected positions of Secretary, Treasurer, and Co-Managers.(We have current volunteers in these positions but are looking for assistants who would step into the full role in January 2017.)You’ll know our table by the fact that we will be wearing our best Teddy Bear pajamas: I double dog dare you to wear yours too! We will also have a lightbulb and our new banner to make it easier to locate the right table. It’s pretty early in the morning after the baseball game Monday night, so we won’t be surprised by some bleary-eyed attendees. But come! We’re going to have a nice surprise for you.

Education sessions

Tuesday

Watch for these IDL members who are presenting today:

  • Personalized Dynamic Content Tuesday, 23 June at 1:00-1:45 PM John Daigle
  • Saying Thank You. Saying I’m Sorry. When TechComm Goes All Wrong Tuesday, 23 June at 3:45 PM (Lightning Talk) Viqui Dill http://lanyrd.com/sdkprd
  • Hypergraphics for Visual-First Help: SVG, CSS, JavaScript Tuesday, 23 June at 3:45-4:30 PM David Gardiner http://lanyrd.com/sdhdmb

Communities Reception

Tuesday 11:00 AM–12:30 PM Exhibit hall (Battelle South)
http://lanyrd.com/sdkkkd

This is the event where the SIGs have tables, and when we can meet attendees and encourage them to become a part of our SIG. But it’s also a great time to come and meet Robert and me, and other volunteers who will be hanging out at our community table. You’ll know you’re in the right place when you see the lightbulb on the table, and our brand new banner. This year, we also have a laminated map of where all the IDL members are located, world-wide: come and see if you can find yourself on the map!The Community of the Year and Most Improved Community are announced at the Communities Reception.

IDL Progression

Tuesday at 1:00 PM
Regency Ballroom, 3rd Floor
http://lanyrd.com/sdkptm

David Dick, Viqui Dill, Robert Hershenow, and Kim Lindsey

Honors Reception

Tuesday 5:00–7:00 PM
Regency Ballroom, 3rd Floor
http://lanyrd.com/sdkptp

The former Honors banquet has been reimagined in to a livelier reception format, scheduled to start after the education sessions end on Tuesday. The Honors Reception will feature appetizer stations and will celebrate this year’s honorees, including Fellows, Associate Fellows, Jay Gould, Ken Rainey, and Frank Smith awards. Join your STC colleagues in networking with and congratulating these individuals.

Honors After-Party

Tuesday 8:00 PM
Denmark on High – North Room (off-site)
http://lanyrd.com/sdmtyk
For those with stamina…

Education sessions

Wednesday
Watch for these IDL members who are presenting today:

  • Appreciative Inquiry and the Art of Interviewing Wednesday, 24 June at 8:30-9:15 AM Kit Brown-Hoekstra http://lanyrd.com/sdhdth

The Training & Research Track

The Future of Technical Communication Programs: Data Points from the Field
Tuesday, 23 June at 8:30–9:15 AM
Lisa Meloncon

Professional Certification Info Session for Aspiring CPTCs
Tuesday, 23 June at 9:45–10:30 AM
Craig Baehr, Ronn Faigen, Chris Lyons, and Liz Pohland

(Mis)Communicating with Electronic Media
Tuesday, 23 June at 2:15–3:00 PM
Carolyn Boiarsky

Moving Into Instructional Design—Basics for Technical Writers
Tuesday, 23 June at 3:45–4:30 PM
Stephen Van Esch

Online Education: Where Benefits Outweigh the Challenges
Wednesday, 24 June at 8:30–9:15 AM
Linda Oestreich

Technical Editing: Today’s Competencies for Tomorrow’s Editors
Wednesday, 24 June at 9:45–10:30 AM
Susan Lang and Laura Palmer

 

You know, if you haven’t registered for the Summit yet… there is still time. They are taking registrations up until June 15. Register at summit.stc.org right now: it’s not too late!

PS: Although she is not presenting this year, IDL SIG member Jamie Gillenwater is the Track Manager for both the Leadership and Management, and Consulting & Small Business Management Tracks. Thanks for your hard work, Jamie!

PPS: If you are a student IDL SIG member and you are participating in any of the Student activities or volunteering at the Summit, please send me an email at manager@stcidlsig.org.