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TECM Boot Camp - Kelli Vazquez
In a recent course survey, I compared this course to boot camp and a keyboard my weapon. Of all the courses in the UNT Professional and Technical Communication program, this one has been the toughest by far.
Asking for Help, Colleagues, Juggling Work and School, New Job, Questions, Self-Assessment, Teamwork, Workplace
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TECM Boot Camp

07 Dec TECM Boot Camp

Posted at 19:46h in TECM by

I’m glad Dr. Kim assigned the self-regulated learning (SRL) assessment. It’s not something I gave much—if any—thought to after my bachelor’s degree and settling into the workplace routine. At one point early in this course, I was juggling software tutorials, a new job, and a major fundraising event. I had a lot of plates in the air. Relying on my previous learning techniques alone wasn’t enough to get me through it.

I had to ask for help.

In a recent course survey, I compared this course to boot camp and a keyboard my weapon. Of all the courses in the UNT Professional and Technical Communication program, this one has been the toughest by far. There is a mind-boggling number of tutorials to complete at a rate of almost one per week: WordPress, MadCap Flare, Camtasia, HTML, CSS, and a topic-based & structured authoring tutorial.

As I waded crawled through the quagmire of this course, I relied on SRL help-seeking strategies with increasing zeal. Sure, I am an old hand at typed and organized notes, captioned screenshots, physical and digital sticky notes. I began to involve people, which was my biggest stumbling block. I asked for help from my instructor, my class partner, the UNT instructional lab supervisor, and if there were any more weeks in this program, the psychic hotline.

To recap, these are the self-regulated learning strategies for the help-seeking impaired like myself:

  • Ask someone if you can reach out to them for help—before you need it.
  • Write down one resource you will use if you get stuck.
  • Keep the contact information for your helper visible when you are learning.
  • Start each learning session by reminding yourself to seek help.

Help-seeking final progress report

SUCCESS: These four strategies have been very successful for me, not only in this class but in my new job. I find I am more comfortable asking for help or just asking questions in general than I ever have in the past.

CHALLENGE: To continue to use these tactics regularly instead of allowing myself to become complacent.

FOCUS AREA: Seeking help is my weakest link in the four focus areas and needs continuous attention.

CAREER APPLICATION: I have been happily struck by the teamwork atmosphere in my new workplace where questions are encouraged and help is freely given. I hope this environment helps cure my resistance to seeking help.

ASSESSMENT: Considering the aversion to help-seeking I brought into this course, I think I’ve come a long way. I may not be out of the weeds yet, but at least I can see over them.

I want to give a shout-out to my instructor, Dr. Kim Campbell, who put in tireless hours helping me and my classmates get through this class despite software glitches and other obstacles. She always answered communications promptly and (gasp!) was available to answer questions on weekends. If I am a soldier, then she is the drill sergeant keeping this unit together and moving forward to become effective technical communicators.

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