J.13 Bringing Techne Front and Center: Examining the Materials of the Art of Writing

I went to this presentation, but my notes are a little sketchy. I missed much of the first speaker’s talk.

Slattery used the phrase “Taloresque language,” which I guessed might refer to Todd Taylor, since he did the C&W keynote last year, but I’m not entirely sure. Technical writers Slattery observed used 37-50 documents over an hour to hour and a half periods and 14-15 software applications. They used content from email, IM, comments on drafts, notes, previous versions, related docs, and notes to draft a revised version. He recommended that students hack their own processes to become more effective.

Stolley argued that it is too easy for students to publish and it should require more of an investment. He advocates teaching students (in what class?) how to code and showed how his own resume in two different formats as an example of how students can use style sheets for print and for screen.

A question from the audience seemed to illustrate resistance to always learning new technologies. I really don’t understand this stance, for aren’t we supposed to be advocates of lifelong learning? Shouldn’t we take this pill even if it is difficult to swallow? Why do people resent learning technologies?