The Method

Course material takes shape around stated skills. For example, the ability to write a User's Guide is one such skill. Achieving proficiency in writing User's Guides requires mastering a specific set of knowledge and skill requirements. The mastery of any particular skill, such as writing a User's Guide, is accomplished through acquiring:

• A thorough understanding of the course material.
• The ability to apply theoretical principles to real, concrete situations.
• Proficiency in performing certain skilled activities. These include types of writing, technical editing, information organization and management, document design, layout and graphic design, and using state-of-the-art software tools.

View this short presentation on YEDA's Training

Lectures

Each lecture is emailed to you as a pdf file and consists of both lecture material and exercises. As you study the material, you complete the exercises for each section - you then email the exercises back to YEDA.

Analysis of your Writing

Students receive a detailed analysis of their work along with the next lecture. If you need extra help, or have questions regarding the material, you may contact the instructor using a chat program, Voice over IP, or by phone.

Virtual Tutorials

Using VoIP, students are able to communicate directly with the instructor and participate in small group tutorials that answer questions, provide more information, and enable the student to master skills on which they need more work. Students can show each other their work, ask questions, and exchange ideas.

Internship: Hands-on Practice

When the instructor is satisfied that the student can handle a certain amount of “real world” experience, the student will be given the opportunity to work on actual projects for hi-tech companies. This work is carefully monitored by the instructor and is for the purpose of gaining experience, expanding one’s portfolio of work, gaining a recommendation from the host company for whom the student works, and, in some cases, establishing a contact that will lead to employment at the company.

YEDA does not believe in placing students in companies before they are trained to produce professional documentation - anymore than it believes that someone learning to swim should be thrown into a deep pool without prior swimming lessons. Such methods are unproductive both for the learner, as well as for the host company.

Advantages of Online Learning

• Interaction with the instructor on a one-on-one basis.
• Extensive feedback on writing assignments.
• Use of internet resources to enrich the learning experience.
• Enables students to take the course even if they live far away, or have work schedules that do not permit attending regularly scheduled classes.
• Students have more time to complete assignments and can proceed at their own pace.
• Students benefit from the more individualized learning experience permitted by an online course.
• They can work longer on some areas than on others, depending on their background and expertise.