UPSI Digital Repository (UDRep)
|
|
|
Abstract : |
This study provides a preview into understanding the needs of technical writing competency from the perspectives of 34 final year diploma engineering students of one Malaysian polytechnic and 15 lecturers from 5 different polytechnics in Malaysia. The rationale of this study is to investigate the students’ and the lecturers’ views on the needs of technical writing competency in terms of knowledge, skills and attitudes. A part from that, this study also attempts to identify specific technical elements to be included if a new technical writing module is to be introduced in the polytechnic education system. Through the employment of a need analysis questionnaire to the respective respondents, the perceived technical writing competency needs of Malaysian polytechnic students are recognized which include technical terms, grammatical aspects, writing style and convention. This paper concludes with an instructional design material as a suggestion to improve and develop technical writing competency in English among Malaysian polytechnic engineering students. |
References |
[1] K.G. Budinski, Engineers’ Guide to Technical Writing. The Materials Information Society. Materials Park, OH: ASM International, 2001. Retrieved from http://www.asminternational.org [2] L. Finkelstein, Pocket Book of Technical Writing for Engineers and Scientist. New York. McGraw-Hill: Higher Education, 2007. [3] S. Indra Devi, N. Husin, and B. Subatira, “The Effectiveness of a Technical Communication Course in a Malaysian Technical University: Engineers’ perspectives”. Universiti Teknikal Malaysia, vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 27-40, 2010. [4] G. Manivannam, Technical writing & communication: What & Why. 2005. Retrieved from http://www.usingenglish.com/articles/technical-writing-communication-what-why.html [5] E. Tebeaux, Keeping Technical Writing Relevant (or, How to Become a Dictator). College English, vol.45, no. 2, pp. 174-183, 1983. Retrieved from http:www.jstor.org/stable/377225 [6] J. Van Emden, Writing for Engineers (3rd ed.). New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2005. [7] P.A. Laplante, Technical writing: a practical guide for engineers and scientists, NW, USA, Taylor & Francis Group: CNC Press, 2012. [8] T.D. Rhoulac, and P. Crenshaw, “Preparing Civil Engineering Students to Meet Workplace Writing Expectation,” 36th ASEE/IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference, 2006. Retrieved from http://fie.conference.org/fie2006/papers/1684.pdf [9] H. Kassim and F. Ali, “English communicative events and skills needed at the workplace: feedback from the industry.” English for Specific Purposes, vol. 29, no. 3, pp 168-182, 2010. [10] McMurrey cited in Teh Zanariah Mohd Raus, Genre Analysis of Technical Report Writing in Engineering Studies. Unpublished project paper submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirement of the Degree of Master of Arts (English). Universiti Putra Malaysia, 2005. [11] N. Rosdiadee, Technical communication skills among recent electrical and electronics engineering graduates in job industries. Global Journal of Engineering Education, vol. 15, no.3, pp.160-164, 2013. [12] N. Ezihaslinda, M. R. Noor Raha, F. Wan Jumaini, and Z. A. Noor Azlinda, “The need for competent work ready English language learners.Procedia- Social Behavioral Science,” in International Conference on Educational Psychology, ICEEPSY 2011, vol. 29, 2011. [13] M. Raftopoulas, S. Coetzee, and D. Visser, “Work-readiness skills in the asset sector,” SA Journal of Human Resource Management/SA Tydskrifvir Menslikehulpbronbestuur, vol. 7, no.1, pp. 119-126, 2009. [14] J. Raybould, and, V. Sheedy, “Are graduates equipped with the right skills in the employability stakes?” Industrial and Commercial Training, vol. 37, no. 5, pp. 259-263, 2005.Retrieved from http://www.emeraldinsi&t.com [15] R. Bonk, P. Imhoff, and A. Cheng, “Integrating Written Communication within Engineering Curricula,” J. Prof. Issues Eng. Educ. Pract., vol.128, no.4, pp.152–159, 2002 [16] M.Z. Ainol, S. Isarji, S.N. Mohamad, and T.A.Tunku Badariah, “English competency for entrylevel employment: A market research on industrial needs,” Pestariang System. 2011. Retrieved from http://www.prestariang.com.my/ictindustryinfo/download.php%3Fid%3D602%26rid%3D1458 [17] J. Gerrish, C. Gunn, R. Snider, M. Tom, O. Robert, and A. Rose, Biosystem Engineering: Technical Writing Guide.Swartz, Michigan State University Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Michigan, 2007. Retrieved from http://www.egr.msu.edu/age [18] A.B Herzog, and T.J. Hinds, “Enhancing of Technical Writing Skills through Active Learning Methods: Peer Review and Jigsaw,” in 2015 ASEE North Central Section Conference, American Society for Engineering Education, pp. 1-8, 2015. [19] I. Hairuzila, “Feelings of ESL students at tertiary level toward writing in English,” Diges Pendidik, vol. 8, no.1, pp.90-97, 2008. [20] Department of Polytechnic Education, Competency Standard for Polytechnic Graduates, Curriculum Development and Evaluation Division, Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia: Putrajaya, 2009. [21] E. Ahmad, S. Asri, P. Suhaili, and J. Jaslina, “Applications of soft skills in engineering programme at Polytechnic Malaysia,” Social and Behavioral Science, vol.140, pp. 115-120, 2014. [22] M. Y. Ahmad Yasruddin, W. M. S. Wan Mohd Haniff, M. Affidah Mardziah, A. B.Noor Izma, and R. Farawaheeda, “The English proficiency of civil engineering students at a Malaysian polytechnic,” Asian Social Science, vol.6, no.6, pp. 161-170, 2010. [23] Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM), Engineering Programme Accreditation Manual, 2003. Retrieved from http://www.bem.org.my/eac/manual231003.pdf [24] S. Mohammad, “Investigating the English Language Needs of Engineering Students,” 2010. Retrieved from http://www.esp world.info/articles_31/ needs_analysis_salehi.pdf [25] B. N. Ma. Theresa, and R. H. Esther R., “Development and Evaluation of Modules in Technical Writing.” American Journal of Educational Research, vol. 2, no. 6, pp. 341-350, 2014. doi: 10.12691/education-2-6-2. [26] A.S. Sultana, “Developing the Technical Writing Skills of Professional Learners – An Eclectic Approach,” International Journal of Research in Humanities, Arts and Literature, vol. 2, no.8, pp. 45-58, 2014. Retrieved from http://www.impactjournals.us/download.php%/Ffname%3D-- 1409215587-8.Humanities-Developing%252... [27] Department of Polytechnic Education, Syllabi of Communicative English courses Version: 080510_1.1_Effective: 1 December 2011. Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia: Putrajaya, 2011. |
This material may be protected under Copyright Act which governs the making of photocopies or reproductions of copyrighted materials. You may use the digitized material for private study, scholarship, or research. |