The eLearning Center for Gatlin Education Services

Nearly every project, development, or study calls for concluding paperwork; some sort of a report. There have been many reminders and cartoons saying that “the job is not finished until the paperwork is done”. But often there is reluctance on the part of those involved to pursue the task of preparing a report. This course explains why some of the reluctance appears, suggests a technology-based approach to writing, provides ideas and concepts that assist writers in creating and presenting material, and illustrates key methods in accomplishing the objectives of a report.

This orientation, then, can assist engineers with:

• Personally preparing a report and improving writing techniques.
• Directing the preparation of a report written by others.
• Mentoring engineers and other technologists in the improvement of writing skills.

This course is not a detailed lesson in English usage. It is rather a set of guidelines and recommendations that are intended to assist engineers in the creation of written reports by reviewing fundamentals and by describing an engineering approach to writing.

The student must take a multiple-choice quiz consisting of twenty-five (25) questions at the end of the course to obtain PDH credits.

State Board Acceptance

This course can be used by professional engineers to fulfill PDH requirements mandated by state and provincial licensing boards. Decatur Professional Development is an approved provider of continuing education in all states that pre-approve course providers. In all other states that mandate continuing education for engineers, it is the individual engineer's responsibility to determine the suitability of activities for PDH credit. The state boards typically accept online* courses that cover technical, managerial** or ethical content and which are relevant to the practice of engineering. The course must have a clear purpose or objective with a content that will maintain, improve or expand the skills and knowledge of the licensee's field of practice. For questions about your mandatory PDH requirements, visit the website of your state licensing board.

*Online courses are accepted by all state licensing boards that mandate continuing education. Other than New York (which limits online courses to 18 PDH) and Iowa (which limits online courses to 6 PDH), there are no limits placed by other states on the number of hours that can be earned through online continuing education. Consult with your state licensing board if you have any questions about the acceptability of online courses.

**The New York State Board of Engineers does not accept general office management courses, but will accept project management courses that are offered by an approved provider and that are technical in nature and contribute to the engineer's professional practice.

Please Note: Continuing Education credits for this course are awarded as PDH (Professional Development Hour Credits).