Testing Technical Documents Pt. 1 (Tuesday)

Testing Technical Documents Pt. 1

Directions:

For the first part of this two-part assignment, you are to compose instructions for a basic task that can be completed by your peers in class on Thursday. In groups of 3-4, consider what you want to compose instructions for (how to make a paper airplane, how to draw a cat, how to create a pie chart in excel, how to fold an origami crane, etc.), how you want to compose your instructions (as a written list, an instructional video, using graphs/charges/images, etc.), who your audience is (and what tools they have at their disposal), and then compose your instructions accordingly. Try to create instructions for something that not everyone might be familiar with - but don't stress on this too much. There should be at least six steps in your instructions. Your set of instructions should also include a title, introduction, and conclusion. Once completed with your instructions, answer the following questions. You will share your instructions with another group on Thursday and attempt to follow their instructions to the best of your ability - ultimately assessing the usability, accessibility, and universal design of the instructions.

Due by the End of Class:

• Title of instructions
• Brief introduction
• Step-by-step instructions (using any modes of communication of your choosing)
• Brief conclusion
• Responses to following questions

Questions:

1. Who is in your group?
2. What did you decide to create instructions for? Why?
3. How did you decide to compose your instructions (on paper, as a video, etc.)? Why?
4. Did you use imagery (drawings, graphs, charts, etc.)? Why or why not?
5. What did you decide to focus on in your introduction? Why?
6. How many steps did you end up with? Do you think that is enough? Too little? Too much? Why?
7. How did you consider your audiences' skills, abilities, and access to the tools required for the instructions?
8. How did you consider the design of your instructions? Does your set of instructions follow the universal design guidelines we discussed last week? If so, how? If not, why not?
9. Are there any risks that the audience might encounter when they follow the instructions? If so, did you outline those risks in your instructions?
10. Did you have to define any terminology in your set of instructions? Why or why not?
11. What did you decide to focus on in your conclusion? Why?
12. Did you add any troubleshooting tips or a FAQ (frequently asked questions) section? Why or why not?
13. Do you consider your instructions to be successful (would I be able to follow them)? Why or why not?