Readability methodology makes sense for Tech. Writers

[Pat Gantt <pagantt -at- POSTOFFICE -dot- WORLDNET -dot- ATT -dot- NET>]

Tim and two other brave souls expressed an interest
in wanting to know more about simplicity. Specifically
fonting and visualization. What does readability,
job analyses, and instructional media have to do
with excellent tech. writing? Everything!

In fact, it is indeed, the mark of truly great technical
communications. If your readers - aka Users
can't read what you have written *for* them than
what good is what you have written?

Here are some of my old Reading Specialists sources
to check: [lest I get flamed or censored... just because
some sources are old does not mean they can not still
valid and reliable]

1.      Learning modalities - <i> Mills Learning Modalities Test </i>
2.      Reading diagnostics and corrections - _Reading Difficulties
        Their Diagnosis and Correction_ Bond and Tinker.
3.      B.F. Skinner - need I say more?

Newer Sources:
1.      _Instructional Media_ Heinich, Molenda, Russell
2.      <i> A Digest on Instructional Systems Development </i>
        Clifton P. Campbell
3.      <i> Adapting Instructional Materials to Local Needs,
        A Rationale and Methodology </i> Campbell
4.      <i> Preparing Instructional Materials with a Focus on
        Printed (Hard Copy) Materials </i> Campbell
5.      <i> Analyzing Jobs </i> Campbell
6.      Robert F. Mager's Six Pack - exquisite!

Newest:
1.      MIT AI - Research on Artificial Intelligence,
        specifically their work on how the brain thinks
        SCIENTIFIC METHOD - using brain imaging technical
        testing -- reachable via Internet

        Trivia Fact: did you know that men's frontal
        lobes (thinking, reasoning, short term memory
        visualization) shrink a full one third when
        they age?

        Women's lobes to a far lesser degree?
        So as you age, the more you are dependent on
        other modalities such as creative and intuitive
        skills in the lodged in subconscience...

        Gives credence to the "grumpy ol' man" moniker ;-0

2.      Fletcher-Flinn, C.M. & Gravatt, B. (1995). The
        efficacy of computer assisted instruction (CAI):
        A meta-analysis. _The Journal of Educational
        Computing Research. 12_ (3), 219-242.

I have many, many more sources but these should start
your searches. Of course, please visit:

http://votech.miningco.com/library/weekly/mpreviss.htm

0        06/16/97 - What is Modular Instruction? A Virtual
                    Interview with Mihkel Pilv...
                    Within this Feature contains examples
                    of perhaps the *best* sources of
                    modular instruction and technical
                    writing -- US Military

O        05/26/97 - Gender Variables and Computers: Excerpts
                    from "Antecedent Conditions and Their Affective
                    Outcomes on Ratings of Personal Beliefs and Computer
                    Self-Efficacy of Undergraduate Humanities Students"
                    Patricia A. Gantt, November 20, 1995.

Note:   The best* research is scientific research. Descriptive
        research is only reliable and valid tested through
        meta-analyses -> preponderance of the evidence.
<sigh>

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best Regards,

Pat Gantt, VoTech Guide
Personal email ~ pagantt -at- worldnet -dot- att -dot- net
The University of Tennessee, M.S. HRD
VoTech Guide ~ The Mining Company
Business Mail ~ votech -dot- guide -at- miningco -dot- com
http://votech.miningco.com
GO VOLS! Don't ask Peyton who!

 TECHWR-L (Technical Communication) List Information: To send a message
to 2500+ readers, e-mail to TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU -dot-  Send commands
   to LISTSERV -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU (e.g. HELP or SIGNOFF TECHWR-L).
  Search the archives at http://www.documentation.com/  or search and
browse the archives at http://listserv.okstate.edu/archives/techwr-l.html