We Cannot Teach Engineering Communication, but, Just as Important, We Can and Do Teach Reflexivity

Communication professionals cannot teach engineering communication. What we can teach, in fact, what we are teaching is reflexivity, specifically emergent and discursive reflexivity. There are three important implications. First, we can participate in teaching engineering communication only if we partner with engineering faculty. Second, as teachers of reflexivity, we are agents of both standardization and possibly innovation. Third, by offering students a “reflexive grasp,” we are helping them to understand how engineering communication really works