CHAPTER 32
Technical Courses
CHAPTER CONTENT OUTLINE
I. Technical courses
A. Technical presentations include reports and proposals that provide instructions, advocate
a product or service, update progress, make recommendations, or request funding.
II. Preparing effective technical presentations
A. Gear the information to the appropriate level.
B. Use language that is accessible for your audience.
III. Engineering design review
A. An engineering design review explains the problem-solving steps in devising a product or
system in response to an identified need.
B. Design reviews often incorporate a prototype, a model of the design.
C. Presentations typically include:
2. Description of concept and specifications of the design
4. Discussion of the experimental testing that has been completed on the design
Chapter 32, p. 598
6. Discussion of schedule, budget, and marketing issues
1. Presentations include background on the site, discussion of the concept, and a
description and interpretation of the design.
V. Request for funding
A. The request for funding presentation provides evidence that a project, proposal, or design
idea is worth funding. It is persuasive in nature.
1. The request for funding usually includes an overview, an analysis of market needs, an
KEY TERMS
engineering design review oral presentation that provides information on the results of an
engineering design project
prototype model of a design
architecture design review type of oral presentation that enables the audience to visualize an
architectural design
request for funding presentation type of persuasive oral presentation providing evidence that a
CHAPTER STUDY GUIDE
I. SUMMARY QUESTION
What are some typical oral presentations used in technical courses?
There are two types of presentations in technical courses. The engineering design review is an
oral presentation that provides information on the results of an engineering design project. The
II. DISCUSSION QUESTION
1. Discuss some of the characteristics of effective presentations in technical courses.
Characteristics of effective presentations in technical courses include using visual
CONTENT PRESENTATION IDEAS
Chapter 32, p. 600
I. STUDENT ACTIVITY
1. Students often have personal experience giving presentations in other college courses. Conduct
a panel discussion to explore experienced students’ thoughts on their own presentations.
Organize a panel of students who have a variety of experiences from their own classes.
II. GROUP ACTIVITY
1. What kind of presentation topics are likely to be assigned in a technical course? Create a list of
technical courses on the board; then brainstorm possible topics for presentations in these
courses.
III. ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES
Professor Interview
Purpose: To learn what professors in other college courses expect from presentations in their
classes.
Instructions: Each student should visit a professor in his or her major department to conduct a
brief interview. Students should ask about the typical presentation in the professor’s class and
Chapter 32, p. 601
discuss the components of an effective presentation. Students should prepare a one-page paper
describing the interview.
So You Do the Lecture This Week
Purpose: To provide students with an opportunity to create their own college lectures.
Instructions: Each student should prepare a lecture for a course in his or her major. Use the