Additional menu

ISTC

Institute of Scientific and Technical Communicators

You are here: Home / InfoPlus / InfoPlus December 2023

InfoPlus December 2023

Filed Under: InfoPlus

ISTC Membership Renewals for 2024

Linda Robins FISTC, ISTC President

Renewals for ISTC Members open on 1 December and payment can be made via the website or by contacting the ISTC office (istc@istc.org.uk).

Members will receive an email with details and can check the renewals page of the ISTC website.

Reminder of member benefits

  • You are part of a vibrant professional community, with member-only discussion forums hosted on the ISTC website. This includes job vacancies.
  • You receive four issues of Communicator, in your choice of digital and printed formats.
  • You have access to the Communicator archive online (from 2004).
  • You are entitled to member rates for Technical Communication UK (our own conference) and are also often able to obtain discounted rates for other technical communication conferences. In addition, members are eligible for a 25% discount on our recently published books.
  • Entry-level members can get individual support from our mentoring scheme.

If you are a Member or a Fellow, to provide evidence that you have been accepted into the ISTC at those grades, you can:

  • Use the letters MISTC or FISTC after your name (as appropriate)
  • Use the Members and Fellows logos on your online profiles and elsewhere (business cards, for example).

If you are an Entry-level or Associate Member, have you considered applying for full Member status?

What we have been doing

We want to share some highlights of what the volunteer team on the ISTC Council and the wider network of volunteers and partners are doing.

  • We continue to provide a monthly newsletter – InfoPlus that is distributed to both members and non-members, providing industry news, event listings and ISTC updates.
  • The UK Technical Communication Awards.
  • We are working with universities and other education providers to identify courses and qualifications appropriate for technical communicators at all stages of their careers.
  • We support several area groups across the UK.
  • We continue to improve the ISTC website, making it both a resource for members and a way of raising the profile of the technical communication profession in general.

Your membership fee helps the ISTC to nurture, educate and support technical communicators from all areas of specialism. We aim to continue to do this and be even more effective for you and all our members.

Back to top

Become more involved in the professional community through the ISTC Area Groups, join us online at one of our monthly ISTC Meets events, and find us on social media (links at bottom of page). Members also have access to the ISTC Discussion Forums (login required).

If you wish to start your own Area Group, contact istc@istc.org.uk.

Online meet-up

Open to anyone involved in communication from any location, the Cambridge Area Group hosts a regular, free Zoom meeting. It is the second Wednesday of the month at 6pm for approximately 40 minutes. Contact cambridge_areagroup@istc.org.uk for more information.

London Area Group

As we reported in the last issue of InfoPlus, a new London Area Group was meeting in the South Bank Centre. We’re happy to report that Dr Vladimir Izmalkov MISTC has taken on the role of organising the group.

About Vladimir Izmalkov

Dr Vladimir Izmalkov MISTC

Vladimir has two university degrees and a scientific background with a PhD in technology. He is an accomplished technical writer with more than a decade of creating technical documentation tailored for software developers and engineers. Recently, he relocated to the UK to assume the position of Senior Technical Writer in a high-tech start-up specialising in polymorphic databases.

Vladimir effectively employs best practices in documentation engineering, including the docs-as-code approach, Git-based version control, static site generators, and agile practices. 

Vladimir led the Technical Writers Guild at his previous company, which boasted over 40 members. This role endowed him with experience in organising professional meetups, conducting training sessions, and managing a community.
Vladimir seeks to obtain new skills and knowledge by exchanging experiences with the professional community of ISTC. As a resident of London, Vladimir is eager to help organise ISTC London group meetings and activities.

Back to top

iiRDS Consortium publishes new specification

The iiRDS Consortium has written a PAS describing the iiRDS information flow and metadata models, including further information annexes on iiRDS metadata and information exchange scenarios. Find out more about the “IEC PAS 63485:2023 Intelligent Information Request and Delivery – A process model for the exchange of information for use”.

Back to top

Why learning to fail can teach us to thrive

Amy Edmondson, the world’s leading expert on the science of psychological safety, draws on a lifetime’s research to show how to get failure right. Watch the video from the RSA.

How effective listening boosts wellbeing at work

Great listening depends upon careful self-management as much as a flair for attentiveness and active participation, according to communication expert Janie van Hool. Read the blog from the Institute of Leadership.

Back to top

6–7 March 2024 – Nordic TechKomm Stockholm – Stockholm, Sweden

11–12 April 2024 – tekom Frühjahrstagung – Freiburg, Germany

5–7 November 2024 – tcworld conference 2024 – Stuttgart, Germany

Back to top

Armada

All courses available either in-class or live online.

December 2023

4-5 Introduction to Adobe Illustrator

Learn how to create and edit vector graphics quickly and effectively, in the leading application for vector graphics. The comprehensive toolset and features available provide everything you need to produce extraordinary graphics for print, video, the web and mobile devices.

10% discount for ISTC members (coupon code ISTC10).

£295 + VAT. Instructor led, live online course
£345 + VAT. In-class at Bromsgrove training centre

www.armada.co.uk/course/ai

4-5 Introduction to Adobe After Effects

Teaches all the key skills needed to use the leading professional software for motion graphics, video compositing and visual effects. Used across all forms of video and screen-based media, After Effects offers a powerful set of tools to deliver stunning visual results.

10% discount for ISTC members (coupon code ISTC10).

£345 + VAT. Instructor led, live online course
£395 + VAT. In-class at our Cardiff training centre

www.armada.co.uk/course/ae

11-15 Technical Authoring Training Programme

ISTC-accredited programme comprising:

  • Introduction to technical authoring (1 day)
  • Intermediate technical authoring (2 days)
  • Advanced technical authoring (2 days)

Training in core technical authoring skills for new and experienced technical authors.

Attend the complete programme, or just the module(s) relevant to your experience.

This course is now hosted by Matthew Ellison.

10% discount for ISTC members (coupon code ISTC10).

£1,195 + VAT. Instructor led, live online course
£1,495 + VAT. In-class at Reading training centre

www.armada.co.uk/course/tatp

January 2024

3-4 Introduction to Adobe Photoshop

Learn how to create and edit images using the de facto standard in the graphics industry. Techniques covered include colour correction, working with layers, compositing images and preparing images for use on the Web.

10% discount for ISTC members (coupon code ISTC10).

£295 + VAT. Instructor led, live online course
£345 + VAT. In-class at Bromsgrove training centre

www.armada.co.uk/course/ps

10-11 Introduction to Adobe InDesign

Provides a comprehensive introduction to the
powerful capabilities of InDesign, including setting
up new documents, shapes, frames and using
InDesign’s most popular features.

10% discount for ISTC members (coupon code ISTC10).

£295 + VAT. Instructor led, live online course
£345 + VAT. In-class at Bromsgrove training centre

www.armada.co.uk/course/id

25-26 Introduction to Adobe Photoshop

Learn how to create and edit images using the de facto standard in the graphics industry. Techniques covered include colour correction, working with layers, compositing images and preparing images for use on the Web.

10% discount for ISTC members (coupon code ISTC10).

£295 + VAT. Instructor led, live online course
£345 + VAT. In-class at Milton Keynes training centre

www.armada.co.uk/course/ps

Cherryleaf

New Course from Cherryleaf

Using Generative AI in technical writing

This online course covers how technical communicators can use Generative Artificial Intelligence to help them:

  • Be more efficient
  • Create better deliverables for their users

We went through all the key stages in a technical writing project. At each step, we investigated whether AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude could make a Technical Writer’s job easier and better. After a lot of research and testing, we ended up with the content for this course.

The course provides a framework that attendees can use to identify opportunities and best practices for integrating ChatGPT, Claude, LLaMA, and similar tools into their technical authoring processes – creating, managing, and delivering technical content.

Find out more at https://www.cherryleaf.com/training-courses/using-generative-ai-in-technical-writing-training-course/

Technical author/technical writer/technical writing e-learning course

https://www.cherryleaf.com/training/technical-author-basicinduction-training-course/ 

Learn to write like a professional technical communicator. This course teaches you the fundamentals of technical writing, and helps you understand your role as a Technical Author (or similar position).

This technical communication course is accredited by the Institute of Scientific and Technical Communicators.

Creating Content for User Onboarding

Everything you need to know about onboarding customers onto your product.

https://cherryleaf.teachable.com/p/creating-onboarding-content

Fundamentals of Technical Writing

Learn the fundamentals of technical writing, and understand the Technical Author’s role. Course accredited by the ISTC.

https://cherryleaf.teachable.com/p/technical-writer-induction-course

Intermediate/Advanced Technical Writing

You can take one or all of the 12 technical communication training courses in this bundle:

https://cherryleaf.teachable.com/p/advanced-technical-communication/

Creating Screenshots and Images for User Guides

Cherryleaf’s e-learning course on creating screenshots and images for user guides gives you the foundations for creating professional images in an efficient way. The course includes exercises and model answers for delegates to complete and review.

https://www.cherryleaf.com/training-courses/images-course/

New two-course bundles

We offer five bundle options that contain two courses at a discounted price:

Virtual Classroom Courses

We also offer the following courses in virtual classroom format for organisations:

  • Technical writing for developers
  • Technical writing for Support staff
  • Technical writing fundamentals
  • Writing policies and procedures
  • Writing financial policies and procedures

For more information, visit Cherryleaf training.

Free technical writing courses

Some free technical writing courses submitted by Mike Mee.

https://developers.google.com/tech-writing/overview

https://github.com/wise4rmgod/TechnicalWriterResources

https://iimskills.com/a-guide-on-technical-writing-and-technical-writing-training/

Let’s Talk ContentOps

ISTC Honorary Fellow, Rahel Bailie, hosts some webinars talking about things that are of interest to technical communicators. Recorded webinars include:

  • ContentOps as Part of Product Lifecycle Management
  • Let’s Talk Content Operations
  • Growing a Customer Support Site Into a ContentOps Pipeline
  • Turning Team Pains into Operational Gains

Find out more at https://www.brighttalk.com/search/?q=Rahel+Bailie.

Short-term Training in Technical Communication at Polytechnic University of Porto

You can enrol in individual modules of the Postgraduate Diploma in Technical Communication from the Porto Executive Academy (PEA – ISCAP-P.PORTO).

Most classes take place on Friday evening (18h30 to 21h30) and Saturday morning (9h00 to 13h00).

For additional information, to learn of any calendar changes, and to enrol, contact the Programme Director at alexalb@iscap.ipp.pt some weeks in advance.

Besides the course price, there is an additional enrolment fee of €30 (per academic year) that also covers insurance.

Information Gathering

Ana Remígio, Bosch Security Systems.

  • Identify the phases that constitute a technical communication project.
  • Understand the importance of interpersonal and intercultural communication in the technical communicator profile.
  • Develop search, gathering and management of information techniques, in technical communication projects.
  • Plan technical communication projects, with the support of the appropriate tools. Prepare and validate with specialists—SMEs—a first draft of the technical contents to be created.
  • Understand the importance and challenges of defining and creating technical content in the digital age.

16h (4x4h) from 7-Dec and 13-Jan.

€166.15, instructor led, live online course.

Domain Models

Joaquim Baptista, Farfetch.

  • Read UML class diagrams.
  • Refine class diagrams into business descriptions with use cases.
  • Create business descriptions from interacting actors and their motivations.
  • Identify business concepts and their relations.
  • Apply domain models to improve traditional documents.

12h (4x3h) from 15-Dec to 19-Jan.

€124.62, instructor led, live online course.

Technical Communication I

João Ribeiro, Synopsys.

  • Provide understanding of the basic principles of Technical Communication as well as different working methods.
  • Promote the development of linguistic, technical and communicational skills in (future) technical communicators.

24h (6x4h) from 20-Jan to 24-Feb.

€249.23, instructor led, live online course.

Technical Communication Tools

Bruno Santos, Synopsys.

  • Review some of the commercial tools.
  • Review Open source tools.
  • Identify different tools.
  • Select the tool suite according to the content and audience.

20h (6x3h + 2h) from 26-Jan to 6-Mar.

€207.69, instructor led, live online course.

Simplified Technical English

Ana Remígio, Bosch Security Systems.

  • Understand the history of the STE specification within the aviation industry and its range of applications.
  • Identify the structure and the overall principles and rules of the STE specification Apply the STE principles and rules correctly.
  • Have a relevant understanding of the tools available in the market to support the implementation of STE.
  • Rewrite texts which are not written in STE to be in conformance with the specification.

12h (4x3h) from 2-Mar to 16-Mar.

€124.62, instructor led, live online course.

Click to show/hide courses for March 2024 onwards

Structured Writing

Joaquim Baptista, Farfetch.

  • Gather detail with information types.
  • Identify concepts with information blocks.
  • Teach behavior with steps, decisions, and consequences.
  • Justify behavior with processes.
  • Make facts findable and comparable.
  • Leverage structure to cover detail and detect change. Explain harder decisions with principles.
  • Have a place for everything learned.

20h (6x3h + 2h) from 8-Mar to 26-Apr.

€207.69, instructor led, live online course.

Translation Project Management for TW

Alexandra Albuquerque, PhD, PEA – ISCAP-P.PORTO.

  • Understand the role of translation management in technical communication projects.
  • Familiarize with computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools for technical content. Identify potential risks and implement risk mitigation strategies.
  • Integrate content management systems (CMS) for efficient translation management.
  • Develop comprehensive project plans for technical translation projects.
  • Monitor project progress and make data-driven decisions for successful outcomes.

12h (3x4h) from 23-Mar to 13-Apr.

€124.62, instructor led, live online course.

Technical Communication II

João Ribeiro, Synopsys.

  • Apply different writing techniques in English.
  • Understand the specifics of creating content in a non-maternal language.

20h (5x4h) from 27-Apr to 25-May.

€207.69, instructor led, live online course.

Editing and Proofreading

Joana Fernandes, PhD, PEA – ISCAP-P.PORTO.

  • Problematize the theoretical concepts of editing and proofreading.
  • Discuss issues concerning decision-making processes.
  • Get familiar with English normative and reference linguistic resources.
  • Experience different proofreading and editing tasks.
  • Critically analyze the content of existing norms such as style guides and quality control grids.
  • Test and critically analyze free and proprietary software tools to support text revision.

12h (4x3h) from 3-May to 24-May.

€124.62, instructor led, live online course.

Documentation of REST APIs

Joaquim Baptista, Farfetch.

  • Identify reasons and decisions that led to the widespread usage of REST APIs.
  • Identify details of commands and responses of REST APIs, and how developers specify them.
  • Walk in the shoes of client developers to answer their questions in references.
  • Visualize large APIs using UMLish diagrams.
  • Improve incomplete and ambiguous API specifications.

16h (4x3h + 4h) from 31-May to 26-Jun.

€166.15, instructor led, live online course.

Docs as Code

Jaime Vasconcelos, Probely.

  • Use a version control repository (Git) to track and manage your documentation.
  • Write documentation using simple plain text markup (Markdown).
  • Collaborate with other people while writing documentation as a team with Git.
  • Structure the documentation in a topic-based approach.
  • Publish the documentation to a website and see your work evolve as you go.

16h (4x4h) from 1-Jun to 22-Jun.

€166.15, instructor led, live online course.

Introduction to Technical Writing Project Management

Bruno Santos, Synopsys.

  • Manage and develop a technical communication project, taking into account the different phases that constitute it.
  • Create content for a manual, translate the manual and manage its terminology, using the appropriate tools.

16h (4x4h) from 14-Jun to 29-Jun.

€166.15, instructor led, live online course.

TCTrain Net Training from Tekom.eu

TCTrainNet is an international online training program for technical communication accredited by ISTC and tekom. The two-level course system was designed for beginners and advanced students and can also be booked as part of a master’s degree program. The curriculum and learning materials were developed by leading experts from industry and academia.

Courses:

The course duration is 8 or 12 months. Both include the international tekom certification.

Get an overview of all content and preview two units of the TCTrain Professional course via the free trial access. You can email the provider at info@tc-train.net.

Back to top

InfoPlus is your go-to source for staying informed about our profession, featuring news not only from the ISTC but also from across the technical communication community. If you have noteworthy information to share with your peers, please send it my way at newsletter.editor@istc.org.uk. We want to ensure that your news reaches as many people as possible.

Published and distributed on the first working day of each month, InfoPlus occasionally experiences slight delays until the first week of the month. Keep this in mind when submitting time-sensitive information.

Please get the information for the January 2024 edition to me by Friday 15 December 2023.

InfoPlus, the Monthly Newsletter from the Institute of Scientific and Technical Communicators (ISTC), is a valuable resource for the largest UK body representing scientific and technical communicators. Whether you are involved in technical writing, technical illustration, or other forms of communicating technical information, ISTC is the professional association dedicated to supporting your career.

Explore the benefits of ISTC membership and find out how to join.

This complimentary newsletter is emailed to approximately 1500 individuals. In addition to ISTC news, InfoPlus features listings and articles of general interest to the profession. Subscribe to InfoPlus here.

For advertising inquiries, contact istc@istc.org.uk.

Back to top