Professional Technical Writing

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Certifies our technical writing and XML courses

Provides the XML course editor for our courses

Professional Technical Writing

$499USD/749CAD

The technical writing profession requires a wide range of abilities, including excellent communication skills, document management knowledge and strong collaboration techniques. These skills are best acquired through supervised instruction and feedback, through interaction with other professionals and through personal time for research and exercises. This course provides an effective blend of all of these elements.

Professional Technical Writing is a 12-week online course that combines instructor mentoring via discussion groups, chat and e-mail with self-paced lessons and four practical ‘marked’ assignments (distributed at three-week intervals). Students can accelerate their efforts in order to complete the course material in much less time if they wish.

The course teaches students to write precise technical documents, to work with modern markup editors and to use both new and established writing techniques to complete hands-on assignments.

Course Outline

Module 1 - Introduction to course tools. Writing resumes and cover letters

The first module covers letter and resume writing, an introduction to XML, and a tutorial on the XML editor used in the course. You will also be given your first assignment, where you will write a cover letter and resume. You will author your assignments in XML, and then convert the assignments to HTML and PDF for viewing in a browser. The course provides tutorials to get you started in creating structured documents.

Module 2 - Writing a manual

The second module discusses why audience is of primary importance when writing technical documents. You will also read an introduction to using graphics in technical documents. The focus of this assignment is to learn how to write an effective manual.

Module 3 - Usability testing and revising a manual

In this module, you will have the opportunity to further develop your skills in creating manuals. You will learn why standards are important in technical writing, and how you can start to develop your own standards. A primer on document design introduces basic concepts of design that you should consider when creating technical documents. In the third assignment, you will conduct a usability test on your manual from assignment 2. Using the feedback from the usability test and the marker's comments, you will revise your manual.

Module 4 - Reporting

In this module, you will learn you how to write an effective formal report. This module also includes an introduction to typography. The last assignment in the course requires that you write a formal report.

Course Requirements

Prerequisites
The course requires students to have a working knowledge of English and basic awareness of creating files on a computer. A basic knowledge of HTML is preferable although not required.

Course Software
Students receive a CD-ROM that contains all course readings and software. Students receive a copy of XMetaL, an excellent XML editor from Softquad. This version of XMetaL functions for the duration of the course. Students may purchase XMetaL after the course is finished at a special reduced price.

System Requirements and Compatibility
—	pentium-compatible processor (133 MHz or faster)
—	32 MB of available RAM
—	super VGA display, 640 x 480 resolution
—	35 MB of disk space
—	40 MB extra disk space during installation
—	CD drive
—	an XML-compliant browser: Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher is recommended
—	Internet access
—	e-mail program: such as Outlook or Outlook Express
—	Windows XP/Windows 2000/Windows ME/Windows NT/Windows 98

Further Information

Certification
Students receive a certificate of completion for this course. Please see certification for details.

Price
US $499.00 includes a CD-ROM with all necessary authoring software and extensive reading materials.

Mentored Learning
All of the course readings, discussions, and assignments are conducted electronically. The instructor works directly with each student in the course via email. In addition, the instructor holds regular web chat sessions to discuss topics of interest and assignments with the class as a whole. Students may also use the online discussion bulletin board to post messages regarding topics of interest and assignments.

Communication with your instructor and your classmates is an important aspect of this course. Several tools are provided to help you communicate more effectively. The tools can be accessed from your 'student locker' page.

Students are encouraged to communicate with each other through the course discussion group and through regular chat sessions. Use the discussion group to share information or to seek assistance with assignments. If you have a question on an assignment that is of a general nature, use the discussion group to post your question since other students will also benefit from the response. If you need personal assistance, e-mail your instructor.

Students are not required to attend chat sessions; however, most students find them beneficial. During chat sessions, students may ask questions relating to assignments or usability issues.

The instructor will send out weekly e-mail updates. The instructor's comments will discuss course issues, assignments, and other information that is related to the course. Since students are participating from locations around the world, communication is especially important. Using the course communications regularly will help students to have a richer learning experience.

Student testimonial
"Online-learning.com provides individuals with a valuable skill-set. The PTW course covers what more traditional training facilities teach in three or four course modules -- and teaches it well. Online-learning.com has a long history of teaching students the technical and writing sides of PTW. Students will complete the course with the knowledge that their skills and abilities will see them through any technical writing challenge and into the future of business, computers and communication." - Aimee Rice

Further Information
If you have further questions about this course, or have special circumstances (i.e. student/corporate group needs), we would be glad to talk with you!

About the author
Dr. Paul Beam is president of online-learning.com and is a faculty member in the English Department at the University of Waterloo where he has specialized in online learning and computer-based instruction for the last 25 years.

About the instructor
Kitty Bucsko has been teaching business communications and computer technology courses for over 30 years including courses for the Canadian Institute of Management. She has been a member of Ontario College of Teachers since its inception and has a passion for the Internet and telecommunications technology. She is also a member of the Society of Technical Communications (STC).