Professional Technical Writing (PTW) Certificate courses

I develop and deliver instructional material for adult learners enrolled in these programs at the University of Washington, Professional and Continuing Education (PCE):

• Storytelling and Content Strategy certificate: I teach "Strategic Content: Designing for the User Experience." Learn more

• Professional Technical Writing certificate, described below.

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From July 2021 through May 2022 I completed a major curriculum development project for University of Washington (UW). The UW Extension engaged with me to fully revise the Professional Technical Writing (PTW) certificate's curriculum. Learn more about this instructional design project.

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I've taught all three courses, in both classroom and remote-real-time formats.

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PTW 310, Foundations of Technical Writing

Learning objectives

• Identify your best options for technical communication skills development, either for entry and growth in the field, or to enhance your technical communication skills in service of another domain of practice

• Implement effectives skills for the project management of technical communication work

• Apply the mechanics of markup languages including Markdown and HTML

• Design technical communication products including instructional graphics, how-to instructions, reference, and conceptual content

• Design your professional portfolio and protect yourself as a technical communication practitioner

• Use relevant tools and technologies to support the above learning objectives

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PTW 320, Intermediate Technical Writing

Learning objectives

• Apply domain and task analysis to users of technical communication products

• Apply phased editing to content development

• Implement effective editorial voice and tone techniques to technical writing

• Apply inclusive writing best practices to technical communication

• Use HTML with CSS

• Design technical communication products including UX microcopy, instructional videos, RFPs and proposals, and reports

• Use relevant tools and technologies to support the above learning objectives
   

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PTW 330, Advanced Technical Writing

Learning objectives

• Apply advanced accessibility, inclusive writing, and localization best practices to content development

• Explain the role of information architecture and content strategy in content development

• Produce XML in a structured authoring context

• Recognize the opportunities for technical communication career growth across several major industries

• Implement core competencies from technical writing to closely related fields, and vice-versa

• Design technical communication products including Web and social media content 

• Use relevant tools and technologies to support the above learning objectives

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