Technical Communications is a broad area - it includes much more than just Technical Writing. Technical Communications also includes

Marketing Communications - the creation of marketing materials that are used to help market and sell products and service

Desktop Publishing and document management - both requiring expertise with software tools and management practices.

The Technical Communications prepares students for a career in all of the above areas. This opens up far greater opportunities than a single course in just one area - especially in today's economy where the value of employees is often measured in how quickly they can adapt to new tasks and responsibilities.

Course Structure

The course consists of four modules: Technical Writing, Marcom, Desktop Publishing, and Technology. These four areas overlap and compliment each other in almost any task the technical communicator is required to perform:

The Technical Writing module teaches the fundamentals of documenting complex systems in clear, easy to read terms. Students learn how to simplify complicated language, how to investigate a hi-tech system, how to write effective instructions and powerful explanations, and how to write specific sections of a technical manual from simple instructions to complete chapters.

The Marcom module provides very comprehensive training in the art of analyzing target markets, developing powerful messages, and turning the messages into successful copy. The module deals with a wide range of tasks:  writing for brochures, press releases, writing a white paper, writing for the web, corporate identity and branding, trade shows, and more.

The Desktop Publishing module enables provides the skills you need to use a wide range of software programs: Word, PowerPoint, RoboHelp, FrameMaker, Acrobat, Screen Capturing, Visio, Author-it, and others. You'll do a lot of hands on exercises with patient help from your instructor/tutor when you get stuck. Learning to use these tools enables the student to build up an impressive portfolio of work.

Lastly, the Technology module is a quick, but comprehensive, course in the key concepts behind today's hi-tech systems. You'll learn to read a C and C++ progrram, to undertand Assembler, and to understand and write about data communication protocols and concepts. As part of this module the student learns how to write API documentation and even produces some samples to add to the portfolio.

Number of Lectures

There are 40 lectures in all

For more in-depth information on each module, click the appropriate item in the Tech Comm Course men (or click one of the above links in this article).

Course Features and Benefits

Features

• 40  easy-to-follow Lectures of over 500 pages covering
  • Technical Writing
  • Desktop Publishing (Word, PowerPoint, Visio, RoboHelp/Flare, FrameMaker, and other programs)
  • Marketing Communications (marcom)
  • Technology

• Narrated presentations explaining various topics in the lectures.

• Numerous examples and links to on-line material that illustrate the principles taught in the course.

• Extensive feedback on nearly 200 exercises!

• On-line support through Skype chat or voice, or email.

• One-on-one tutorial sessions

• Recorded Video lectures on various topics in Technical Communication

Benefits

• Self paced
• Learn from your own home
• Individualized instruction
• In-depth feedback on your work