Algonquin College Technical Writer program priority: developing links with local industry The new programs Two kinds of links: – finding sites for student project work – finding practicing technical writers who can create and deliver courses in the programs Question: can the STC help us develop these links (and/or others)?

Algonquin College technical writer offerings Technical Writer (a full-time, post diploma/degree program; September-June; hours to a certificate) Concepts and Tools for Technical Writers (a continuing education program; hour courses; 100 hours to a certificate)

Why full-time attendance for ten months? Writing skills are developed only through practice – and that takes time. Development of technical writing skills has to be done in a context that involves –meeting face-to-face with people –learning new technical subject matter –learning new authoring tools.

Algonquin College Technical Writer Program subject-area time distribution Writing/communication courses: 60% Technical primers: 30% Authoring tools: 10%

Full-time program: Technical Writer – Semester I Technical writing I Document planning and management I Introduction to basic electronics Computer technology: hardware basics Computer technology: software basics Adobe FrameMaker: desktop publishing On-line Documentation I

Full-time program: Technical Writer – Semester II Technical writing II Document planning and management II Designing technical documentation: basic principles On-line documentation II Telecommunications: digital and analog Computer and network technologies: selected topics

Full-time program: Technical Writer – Project An on-site documentation project: preparation done in “Document planning and management I and II”

Link #1: Industry participation in the program project We need placement sites for students to do their two-month on-site projects. We want students to do a comprehensive project: from needs analysis, to proposal, to deliverable. We are open to any form of co-operative arrangement to achieve the goal of having students complete a comprehensive project.

Algonquin College technical writer offerings Technical Writer (a full-time, post diploma/degree program; September-June; hours to a certificate) Concepts and Tools for Technical Writers (a continuing education program; hour courses; 100 hours to a certificate)

The audience for the C.E. program, “Concepts and Tools for Technical Writers” People already practicing as technical writers who want to improve their skill sets –Most technical writers in the area have not gone through our program. –Skill-set upgrading is an ongoing process: graduates from our program are potential users of a continuing education program.

“Concepts and Tools” course offerings (general) So far, course subject matter has been auxiliary to the activities of actual writing. Other possibilities: –Technical subjects, both primers and advanced –More authoring tools courses –Writing courses focusing on specialized areas

Examples of writing courses focusing on specialized areas Accessibility techniques Writing and visual support Marketing-oriented writing Specific kinds of documents e.g. proposals Specific writing issues associated with concepts like single-source documentation

“Concepts and Tools” course offerings (specific) FrameMaker (21 hours) On-line documentation (18 hours) Writing for on-line documentation (12 hours) Document planning and management (12 hours) Designing technical documentation for print and on-line (18 hours)

Link #2: Teachers from industry For the full-time day program, we would like to have a mix of full- and part-time teachers. For the Continuing Education program, “Concepts and Tools for Technical Writers,” we would like to have teachers who are practicing writers.

Improving the general level of technical writing services in the Ottawa area Those of us in the STC and at Algonquin College know that ongoing technical writer development has at least three benefits: –Clients get better services. –The reputation of the technical writer field is enhanced if clients regularly get good services. –Individual writers have the opportunity to grow in a career that they’ve chosen.

Get involved in technical writer professional development Teach part time in the Algonquin College full-time day program. Teach in the Algonquin College continuing education program.

Benefits of participation in Algonquin College technical writer programs Benefits to employers who support their employees teaching in Algonquin College Technical Writer programs Benefits to individuals who teach in Algonquin College technical writer programs

Benefits to employers of having their writers teaching in a professional development program Direct curriculum input Active participation in the development of a larger pool of competent writers Pre-interview acquaintance with employee prospects

Benefits to individuals of teaching in a professional development program The experience of teaching enriches your concept of what “instruction” means – an important consideration for a technical writer. Teaching a subject gives you new perspectives on creating useable documentation for customers. Classroom experience is a good item on a résumé. Reference: Gary Bist, intercom, November 2000

If you’re interested in organizing and delivering a course or want more info about the programs: Contact Jan Boogerd x3402 David Matheson x3327 Also visit the Algonquin College Technical Writer Web site: