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Technical Communication in the Hi-Tech Environment
The technical writing course that turns you into a hi-tech professional
FACT: There are more than 5,000 hi-tech companies in Israel…and they all need to communicate with the rest of the world in well-written English.
FACT: Hundreds of Anglo professionals in Israel have re-trained as technical and marketing communicators and are doing great in a range of hi-tech positions.
QUESTION: Is it time for you to join Israel’s hi-tech industry?
JBS's course, Technical Communication in the Hi-Tech Environment is offered in Jerusalem and Herzliya. The course is instructed by one of Israel's top technical communicators and trainers, Eli Jacobs.
Here's what course graduates say about Eli Jacobs:
“I was a participant in the first JBS Technical Writing training course. Amazingly, during the seventeen weeks of the course, we were transformed from casual computer users with some knowledge of Word to savvy, budding technical writers. Eli Jacobs does a tremendous job integrating his extensive technical knowledge, thorough familiarity with the world of corporate hi-tech, and complete command of the skill set needed for technical writing gotten through his many years as a top technical writer. AND - he's an excellent teacher, so that the pacing of material, the classroom dynamics, and student motivation are all handled to perfection. Last but not least, as the CEO of a growing technical writing company with many connections in the field, his eager assistance in placement is invaluable. In sum, the JBS Technical Writing course was all that I could have wanted - I recommend Eli's course most enthusiastically!”
Yehoshua Kahan
“I did not expect to enjoy this course as much as I did. Eli succeeded in bringing the material to life in an accessible, manageable way so I never felt overwhelmed. His years of experience as a classroom teacher, combined with his years of experience in tech. writing make him uniquely qualified to teach this course. He is patient, clear, responsive and organized. I appreciated his focus on excellence above all, a rare quality indeed.”
Sarah Halevi
"Eli draws upon extensive experience as a teacher and technical communicator to create a comfortable, warm learning environment that is both challenging and engaging. Eli’s curriculum reinforces the key tools of the trade and introduces the core foundations of the latest trends in high tech. This develops in the motivated learner a solid and advantageous knowledge base from which to launch a rewarding technical career."
Nicholas Sisson
Here's what one industry executive says about Eli Jacobs:
"In hi-tech, explaining complex technical topics in documents and presentations is mission-critical. During the years I worked with
Eli Jacobs I saw him deliver lectures and training courses to a range of personnel—engineers, marketing and senior management—around the world.
He leaves his audiences fascinated and with a crystal clear understanding of the material.
He is one of the best technical communicators I've seen in my 20 years working in the field of technology."
Gadi Tirosh
Jerusalem Venture Partners, General Partner
Former Vice President of Marketing, NDS
Read more about the course instructor at the bottom of this page.
About the Course
Technical Communication in the Hi-Tech Environment follows the lifecycle of a product in a hi-tech company—from the sales and marketing phase, through development, testing, installation and operations—and teaches you how to generate and maintain the technical documents used in each phase.
With this broad approach you learn how to write and edit the many different types of technical and marketing documents required throughout the hi-tech lifecycle. Other courses focus mainly on one type of writing—end-user documentation—and thus leave you less prepared for the real world of hi-tech.
Each course module (covered over a number of sessions) focuses on one phase in the project lifecycle and, using a holistic approach, combines these elements:
- Document Types
- Writing Skills
- Tool Usage
- Key Concepts in Technology
Hands-on exercises—done in class, labs and as home assignments—reinforce the concepts studied, in an integrative manner.
Two sample modules appear below.
The final syllabus and course details will be posted soon.
Module: Software Design
In the course module on Software Design we will learn about:
- Document Types: Design & Architecture specifications, Interface specifications and APIs (Automated Programmatic Interfaces)
- Writing Skills: Structured writing and chunking, Conveying complex concepts in diagrams, Documenting Use Case scenarios, Writing an API scenario
- Tool Usage: Creating data flow diagrams in Visio
- Key Concepts in Technology: Standards-based interfaces, the KISS principle, Re-use, Extensibility, the “politics” of technology
Exercises:
- Create a numbered data flow diagram in Visio and detail the steps in text
- Analyze a document and explore at least two different ways the content could be structured
- Write an API scenario
Module: Technical Operations
In the course module on Technical Operations we will learn about:
- Document Types: Operator’s Guides, User’s Guides, Configuration Files, Troubleshooting Manuals, Training Material
- Writing Skills: Writing for navigability, The concept of Indexing
- Tool Usage: Creating an index in Microsoft Word, Working with graphics, Working with an XML editor
- Key Concepts in Technology: Monitoring & Alerts (SNMP), Error Handling, SOPs, Troubleshooting, Disaster recovery
Exercises:
- Write an outline for a User Guide
- Write three chapters for an Operator’s Guide, including screen captures
- Create an index for a large Operations Manual
About the Instructor
In 1994 Eli Jacobs took a course in technical writing and began a 12 year career at NDS, one of Israel's leading hi-tech companies. Starting as a technical writer, Eli went on to serve as documentation manager, project manager and product marketing manager. Before '94 Eli was known as one of Israel's leading adult trainers in English language and education, working, among others, for the Hebrew University and a major professional training company.
Over the years at NDS, Eli developed and delivered courses covering many aspects of technology and content management and for a full range of skill levels. His audiences, which included hundreds of technical and non-technical personnel—writers, engineers, sales people and all levels of managers—came away saying, "Now, I understand." He has also lectured extensively at professional conferences around the world.
In Technical Communication in the Hi-Tech Environment Eli brings you not only his expertise as an outstanding writer and trainer, but also his insight into the role of the technical and marketing writer in the hi-tech world.
Eli will teach you what makes the difference between success and failure in
hi-tech, and for the truly motivated, what makes the difference between mediocrity and becoming a key player in the hi tech world.
Read more about Eli Jacobs
Letters from Trainees and Colleagues
Dear Eli,
As I reflect on our long association I am particularly grateful that you were my mentor during my first months working as a technical writer. Although, having taken a technical writing course, I was well acquainted with the basics of the work, I soon realized that there was so much more about hi-tech that I needed to learn.
You always insisted on having firsthand knowledge, learning from the architects how things worked on paper and seeing all the equipment and understanding how things really worked in the lab. Your exceptional pedagogical talent and patience made it a pleasure to work with and learn from you.
I’m convinced that no one knows better how technical writers operate in high-tech environments.
Chaim Mayerson
Senior Technical Writer
Eli,
Teaching is an essential aspect of technical writing.
I learned of your expertise as a teacher when you mentored me in NDS technology.
I saw from the documents that you wrote that you were able to extend your teaching gift to your writing.
Moreover, you recognize that it takes hard work and a sensitivity to technology to be able to produce effective technical documentation. You know what it is to be a technical writer rather than a technical scribe.
I am confident that anybody with the basic necessary skill set and willingness to work will greatly benefit from training with you.
Regards,
Yehezkel Missel, PhD
Program Manager at NDS
Former Senior Technical Writer
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