by Martin Wallace
Fall 2018 Technical Writing (ENGL 2338) “Shark Tank” Projects
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Once again, Dr. Christian Worlow’s English 2338 Technical Writing students participated in the Maker Literacies program. This course provides students with an introduction to technical writing and its associated skillsets. Students learn and practice writing clear and concise prose and several document types, including brochures, resumes, cover letters, memos, instructional documents, proposals, studies, and more. Many of these technical documents center on a hands-on design, prototype and fabrication project that student teams complete in the FabLab.
With opportunities to work both individually and collaboratively in teams, students develop and practice good time and project management skills to successfully complete their FabLab projects. Dr. Worlow requires several supplemental documents along with final drafts of the documents that reflect these professional skillsets, and these documents can include the following: document style guides, project/time logs, team meeting minutes, thumbnail sketches, prototype documents, usability testing reports, and audience profiles. More information about this course, including Creative Commons-licensed curriculum materials, can be found on our Maker Literacies website.
On December 6 the teams pitched their final project proposals to a panel of FabLab, Libraries and English faculty and staff in a “Shark Tank”-style contest. Over the span of the semester, student teams developed prototypes of their projects, and In lieu of a final exam they arrive ready to convince the panel to “fund” their startup ventures with a persuasive pitch. While we did not offer any actual monetary awards, Dr. Worlow gave the students on the winning team extra credit points on their final written proposals.
The winning team was PhreshMount who pitched their idea for and prototype of a combination air freshener and cell phone holder that attaches to a vehicle’s air vent. In addition to the design of the cell phone holder, they included prototypes for a variety of custom logos that can be etched into the wooden essential oils infused air fresheners (photos below). PhreshMount consisted of students Morgan McLean and Jennifer Mosqueda.
Honorable mentions go to Faith Gutierrez and Kenia Espinoza who designed a lighting system for eliminating shadows on a drawing surface; Charlotte Stubbins and Melissa Peralta who designed a "Mavs Stay Active" t-shirt; and Diana Rodriguez and Carolyn Perez who designed a muscle roller for athletes.
"Given the scope of the project and the skill level of the students, I feel the actual made objects matter less than their ability to reflect on the process. In some ways, this project wound up being more about exposing students to the competencies, which are in a way an extension of the same core competencies that successful technical writers should develop; but the physical object mattered less than their articulation of the experience... I found the reflection activities helpful in making students articulate their own development of these competencies." –Dr. Christian Worlow
PhreshMount with essential oil-infused Maverick logo attached to car's air vent.
PhreshMount with mobile phone inserted, attached to car's air vent.
Two essential oil-infused custom logo designs for PhreshMount.
Comments
It is good to see how our…
It is good to see how our students are using their full potential to achieve their goals. Congratulations to the English department. These contests are a good alternative for the development of young people.
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