MODULE 4: TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION AND TEAMWORK IN THE ABE

PROFESSION

Lessons: Technical communication and teamwork in the ABE profession

Learning Outcomes: At the end of the lesson the students will be able to:
1. Understand the concept of communication
2. Explain what is technical communication in the field of engineering
3. Explain the importance of technical communication and teamwork in the
ABE Profession
Time Frame: 10-12 hours

Introduction:
Hello my students! Welcome to the fourth module of this subject. In this module you will
understand the technical communication and teamwork in the Agricultural and Biosystems
Engineering profession in which you need to know the technical communication of this
program such as information design, user experience design and instructional design.

Activity:
In celebrating the 32nd Philippine Agricultural Engineering Week, for this activity, write your
insights about the theme "Harnessing Industry 4.0 for Agricultural and Biosystems
Engineers".
Analysis:
Supplementary Questions:
1. What is the technical communication?
2. Why is communication so important in the field of engineering?
3. What are the other communication barrier? How can you say so?
4. How do you differentiate teamwork to groups?

Abstraction:
Technical communication is an important skill for students across disciplines. This
also becomes one of the most challenging skills. Ultimately, the main objective of technical
communication is to send an important information as effectively and efficiently as possible.

Communication is the transmission of information in the form of words, images, and

sounds. In traditional academic setting, the writing classroom tends to be about the
demonstration of knowledge by writing different types of papers or essays while the technical
communication may be similar but with the increased focus on the professional context for
communicating. Communication becomes a thread that ties together your expertise, duties,
and professional relationships.
The communication process refers to a series of actions or steps taken in order to
successfully communicate. It involves several components such as the sender of the
communication, the actual message being sent, the encoding of the message, the receiver and
the decoding of the message. Communication process consists of certain steps where each
step constitutes the essential of an effective communication.

Sender
The very foundation of communication process is laid by the person who transmits or
sends the message.

Message
Message is referred to as the information conveyed by words as in speech and write-
ups, signs, pictures or symbols depending upon the situation and the nature and
importance of information desired to be sent. Message is the heart of communication.

Encoding
Encoding is putting the targeted message into appropriate medium which may be
verbal or non-verbal depending upon the situation, time, space and nature of the
message to be sent. The sender puts the message into a series of symbols, pictures or
words which will be communicated to the intended receiver.

Channel
Channel(s) refers to the way or mode the message flows or is transmitted through.
The message is transmitted over a channel that links the sender with the receiver.

Receiver
Receiver is the person or group who the message is meant for. He may be a listener, a
reader or a viewer. Any negligence on the part of the receiver may make the
communication ineffective. The extent to which the receiver decodes the message
depends on his/her knowledge of the subject matter of the message, experience, trust
 and relationship with the sender. The receiver is as significant a factor in
communication process as the sender is.
Decoding
Decoding refers to interpreting or converting the sent message into intelligible
language. It simply means comprehending the message. The receiver after receiving
the message interprets it and tries to understand it in the best possible manner.

Feedback
Feedback is the ultimate aspect of communication process. It refers to the response of
the receiver as to the message sent to him/her by the sender. Feedback is necessary to
ensure that the message has been effectively encoded, sent, decoded and
comprehended. It is instrumental to make communication effective and purposeful.

“Developing excellent communication skills is

absolutely essential to effective leadership. The
leader must be able to share knowledge and
ideas to transmit a sense of urgency and
enthusiasm to others. If a leader can’t get a
message across clearly and motivate others to
act on it, then having a message doesn’t even
matter”
– Gilbert Amelio
Technical Communication and its importance for Engineers

Technical communication is also a type of communication that has a specific purpose with a
well-defined audience. Technical communication has to be correct, accurate, clear and
appropriate, and to the point. The language being used should be clear and can be understand
easily. One of the objectives of Technical Communication is to provide organized
information that aids in a quick decision-making.

Engineering work is highly dependent upon communication skills, Engineers must be able to
report their ideas and designs clearly and succinctly to their subordinates, coworkers,
supervisors, and clients. The format of engineering communications can vary widely, from
order placement letters to letters of enquiry, from technical memos to analytical reports, from
product instructions (manuals) to power-point presentation.

A person utilizes various visual aids like tables, graphs, charts, drawings, diagrams,
photographs and maps in their reports and presentations. And a well-designed professionally
generated presentation has the capability of increasing audience interest and also to increase
the impact of message. It helps the listeners to retain information and the speakers to present
ideas without depending on any paper notes.

The Role of English in Technical Communication

At the age of globalization, engineering students and practitioners must need to enhance their
English communication skills and other soft skills in order to cope up with increasingly tough
competition in the job market. Engineering students need to be able to think critically, solve
problems, communicate clearly, be creative and work in a team in order to get placed in a
reputed company.
Philippine Society of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineers

The Philippine Society of Agricultural Engineers (PSAE) was founded in 1950 to advance
the theory and practice of agricultural engineering. PSAE is a non-profitable professional
organization duly registered by the Securities and Exchange Commission in accordance with
the Corporation Code of the Philippines (Batas Pambansa Blg. 68), approved on May 1, 1980.

The PSAE as provided for in RA 8559, agricultural engineers are mandated to conduct
studies, evaluation, operation, and management on agricultural machineries & facilities, soil
& water conservation, energy management for rural electrification, environmental engineering
& management, and other related task to the field of agricultural engineering.

The Philippine Society of Agricultural Engineers (PSAE) is now the Philippine Society of
Agricultural and Biosystems Engineers (PSABE) which aid to country’s professionals in the
agriculture sector become more aware of trends in the field of bio-tehcnology and related
sciences.

Moreover, the Philippine Society of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineers –

PreProfessional Group or PSABE-PPG is a federation of BS in Agricultural and Biosystems
Engineering students which also aims to established and promote bond and camaraderie
among undergraduates with the course BS in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering.

Application:
Make a short video clip explaining the importance of technical communications and
teamwork in the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Profession. The video must be 2-3
minutes. In the video, state your name first and your year and course then followed by your
explanation.
For example: Hi! My name is Rigen Kappa Y. Sirado, 1st year Agricultural and Biosystems
Engineering student. The importance of technical commu… xxx…

References:
Chetia, B. (2015). Technical Communication for Engineering Students – Relevance in the
Indian Context. International Journal of Management and Applied Science. Heritage Institute
of Technology, Kolkota.

Hall, L. & Wahlin, L. A Guide to Technical Communications: Strategies &

Applications. The Ohio State University.

www.psabe.org.ph