atw: Re: accreditation survey Why not be radical and use something tha t works?
- From: Andrea Tappe <Andrea.Tappe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "'austechwriter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx'" <austechwriter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 4 Nov 2004 10:08:27 +1100
Thank you for your apology Erisa. I'll admit I was slightly offended, but
above all, I was confused. We've only got one question on skills, and that's
in the demographics question. Unless I was extremely tired and left it out,
there should be a 'misc other' category and a text box at the bottom. If you
think we've missed something, there is also a question at the end which
basically says 'Tell us if you think we've missed something'. So I'm not
sure why you are so offended that the questionnaire doesn't take your
particular skill set into account.
We are not asking about your skills. We are asking for your opinion.
Obviously, I'd prefer that people who are not primarily technical writers
did not respond to this survey, hence the skills q. If someone ticks every
skill except T.C., I'll assume they've answered the survey by mistake, and
put their input to one side. Hey, I have programmers telling me what to do
every day, I'm damned if I'm going to let them tell me how to manage my
professional life as well as my documentation projects ;-)
Also, I didn't say that IQ tests were offensive. The majority of the tests
that are currently available have a very strong cultural bias, and use a
very narrow definition of intelligence. They could more accurately be
described as a measure of your ability to take tests. There is some
relationship between ability to take tests and career outcomes, but it's a
pretty thin straw to rest the future of a profession on. I would much prefer
to see success be its own reward.
I hope this helps to clarify?
Thanks and regards
Andrea Tappe
-----Original Message-----
From: erisa linsky [mailto:slinkah@xxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Thursday, 4 November 2004 1:14 AM
To: austechwriter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: atw: accreditation survey Why not be radical and use something
that works?
Andrea, I am terribly sorry to offend you, because I know you are a highly
intelligent person, and I respect you enormously. Please accept my apology
if I have offended you by my criticism of the survey.
Perhaps I was in a rush and didn't gauge the effect of my comments, however,
honestly, the point is, I believe intelligence is the primary thing we have
to offer.
There are many people more knowledgeable than me in writing templates,
macros, transferring one type of document or media display to another,
creating on-line and web based help...........and I fully respect that. I
respect their skills, and that, by and large, they are very intelligent
people.
I am a different type of beast. I am more of a technical author, an
analyst, a procedures person, I have been in the IT industry for many years
as a programmer, systems analyst, technology journalist, consultant etc.
The ASTC survey didnt really take my type of skills into account. (And
there are many of us.)
So, what I am saying is...........dont cut out this half of the tech writer
population as qualified to act.
I work with systems engineers and other techos who aren't necessarily that
bright. (Some are quite briliiant but........ ) Hey, they're mostly Ok,
but not the rocket scientists they would have us believe. Mostly they can't
structure, or manage things. But I respect the skills they have got. (
Although I am concerned at the degradation of the professions within the IT
industry).
I hang out and absorb their knowledge, going for the relevant bits,
extrapolating the significance of things, for whatever projects are
underway, and write the issues into a report of some kind, so that everyone
relevant can understand. I write for the technos, (from other techos),
and from the techos to management. I work as the go between, balancing the
opinions of various consultants and stakeholders to produce reports, and
propose strategies, policies etc. I work as an individual or in a team or
small duo/trio.
I am called a technical writer...........even if I'm really something else.
( A low paid consultant/), If so, I am happy to continue as such.
Anyhow, all our careers are at risk from the vast amorphous facisti!
They are out there, going after the money that these jobs provide. They
will do the certifications and then create industry certified abuse as they
have done in most other professions.
The thing about IQ tests is................You can always have another go.
You CAN accidentally get a low reading! ....................You
CANT accidentally get a high reading! We have nothing to fear from these
tests. They aren't perfect, but they're the best thing we've got to protect
this profession. They are less easily bought with money than a university
degree. Why not be radical and use something that works?
Remember, the human race is getting less intelligent............... again,
that's why we're needed.
Re sacred cows.
Why is an IQ test offensive?
Is it not equally offensive to call someone unqualified?
Regards,
Erisa
erisalinsky@xxxxxxxxxxx
Tech writer/Procedures Analyst
0407 811 937 02 6286 8959 (Canberra)
Box 4051, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic 3052 Australia
>From: Andrea Tappe <Andrea.Tappe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>Reply-To: austechwriter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>To: "'austechwriter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx'" <austechwriter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>Subject: atw: Re: survey on accreditation
>Date: Wed, 3 Nov 2004 13:07:49 +1100
>
>
>Hello Erisa,
>
>I'm not sure if you have understood the purpose of the ASTC (Vic) survey. I
>have not said at any point that the Victorian Chapter would be introducing
>an accreditation scheme, and neither have any of my colleagues on the ASTC
>(Vic) committee.
>
>We are simply carrying out some very general exploratory research to see
>what people think about the issue. When we know what people think, we will
>either develop or adopt an appropriate scheme, or accede to the wishes of
>our members and abandon the whole idea.
>
>I am completely at a loss to know how you have drawn the conclusion that we
>are actively trying to accredit our members, regardless of their
>competence.
>And I second Warren's comments about IQ tests - as part of my Psychology
>degree, I've had to write a number of essays on the flaws inherent in
>intelligence testing, and there is no shortage of source material to prove
>Warren's point!!
>
>If you have any other concerns, please feel free to call me on 0408 316 461
>at any time.
>
>Thanks and regards
>Andrea Tappe
>
>pp ASTC (Vic) Committee
>
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