Download to read offline
Uploaded byTony Self
Overview of TCTrainNet
tctrainnet is an initiative of tcworld offering English-language blended learning training in technical communication. The program, led by Dr. Tony Self, includes webcasts, interactive activities, and collaborative learning for a duration of six months with a certification exam at the end. Participants are encouraged to fully engage and support one another in a positive learning environment.
Overview of TCTrainNet
- 1. Welcome to TCTrainNet © 2011 tcworld GmbH
- 2. Dr Tony Self– Director of tcTrainNet © 2011 tcworld GmbH 2
- 3. About the training TCTrainNet Initiative of tcworld Part of tekom All training is in English “Blended learning” Guided by an online trainer © 2011 tcworld GmbH 3
- 4. Dr Tony Self I live in Melbourne, Australia TCTrainNet is international Students have different backgrounds Started as trainee technical writer Software documentation Computer-based training and hypertext Founded HyperWrite in 1993 Taught tech comms at Swinburne University PhD in semantic mark-up languages © 2011 tcworld GmbH 4
- 5. Being a student Nervous? Hard work 8 hours per week 6 months Activities Webcasts (like lectures) Interactive Learning Activities Quizzes Discussion Forums Reading Exam © 2011 tcworld GmbH 5
- 6. Working in ateam Collaborative learning You should “fully engage” Compare and share is win-win Supportive environment You won’t be criticised But you must be nice to others! Don’t be shy © 2011 tcworld GmbH 6
- 7. Pathways to Professionalism Formalised training in various skills Certification Exam Benefits of certification: For you: personal achievement For employers: assurance that you are qualified © 2011 tcworld GmbH 7
- 8. Good luck! Technical communication skills Online learning experience Welcome! © 2011 tcworld GmbH 8
Editor's Notes
- #4 Hello! My name is Tony Self, and I am the Director of Training for TCTrainNet. You will probably “see” me online when you engage in the discussion forums that make up part of your learning activities. As you probably know, TCTrainNet is an initiative of tcworld, which operates under the umbrella of tekom, the German professional association for technical communication. All of the training materials in TCTrainNet, and the certification exams, are in English.The approach taken in TCTrainNet is known to educators as “blended learning”. This means the training takes place in a variety of learning environments. You will view Webcasts, for example, quite passively, in that they are pre-recorded. But you will also complete interactive learning units, which are very engaging and partipatory. You will also interact with other students, and take advantage of “collaborative learning”, in discussion forums. You will also do a lot of reading. And all along the way, you will be guided by an online trainer, such as me.
- #5 As I mentioned, my name is Tony Self, but you should just call me Tony. I am from Australia, which is quite an informal society. And this helps me emphasise another feature of TCTrainNet… it’s very international. While TCTrainNet is based on the established German language tekom certification system, it has adopted a very international approach. I myself am based in Australia, and I am a native English speaker. Many students will be from non-English speaking countries, and a typical class of students will live in many different countries, in different time zones, on different continents. This international exposure is one of the great things about TCTrainNet. But I was introducing myself. I started my technical writing career over 30 years ago as a trainee technical writer in an aircraft factory, writing aircraft manuals. I became interested in IT, and documentation technologies, and progressively moved to software documentation, then computer-based training (that’s what eLearning used to be called), then hypertext and multimedia. I started my own technical writing company specialising in hypertext, called HyperWrite, in 1993. In addition to my work at HyperWrite, I started teaching at Swinburne University in Melbourne in the technical communication, business communication, and journalism programmes. In 2011, I completed a PhD in semantic mark-up languages. I also have a graduate certificate in teaching and learning in higher education, and a graduate diploma in technical communication. And I am a fellow of the Institute of Scientific and Technical communicators. So I have been a very busy boy, as you can see!
- #6 Depending upon your own background, you may be quite nervous about studying for the tekom certificate. It is certainly fair to say it’s hard work. You will have to find eight hours per week for six months. You will spend those eight hours per week viewing Webcasts (which are very much like university lectures, except you can pause and replay them!), completing interactive learning units, testing your knowledge through self-assessment quizzes, asking questions and engaging in discussion forums, and doing lots of reading!At the end, you will sit an exam for your tekom first level certificate.
- #7 Some of your study will involve working with other members of your class; this applies particularly to discussion forums. Technically, this is known as “collaborative learning”. Studies have shown that there are learning advantages in discussion forums, so make sure you fully engage in these activities. Comparing and sharing your own experiences and ideas with others is good for all parties involved! The TCTrainNet forums are a supportive environment, so you won’t be criticised for being wrong, or for not knowing something. But this is a two-way street… make sure that YOU are also supportive of others. If you know an answer, or have some ideas on a subject being discussed, or have a question to ask, don’t be shy!
- #8 tcTrainNet provides pathways to professionalism in technical communication. It provides formalised training in the different skills of technical communication, provides a certification exam, and ongoing professional development opportunities. The certificate provides two key benefits. One benefit is that it gives you pride in the achievement you have made in developing new skills. Another benefit is that it provides future employers with an assurance that you are a qualified and competent practitioner.
- #9 Good luck with your studies. I hope you enjoy learning new technical communication skills, and I also hope you enjoy the online learning experience. Again, welcome!