Seminar Offerings

ACC Technical Communication:
Catalog of Continuing Education Courses

These courses are offered through the cooperation of Technical Communications Program and Business Services and Continuing Education, both of Austin Community College. To register for these courses, call 223-7542. The mailing address is:

Center for Career and Business Development
Austin Community College
5930 Middle Fiskville Road
Austin, Texas 78752

You can reach David McMurrey, the coordinator of these continuing education seminars in technical communications, at hcexres@io.com.

Course Descriptions

Creating Online Resumes

In today's world, a powerful presence on the Internet can help you reach further in your job search. This seminar will help you create an effective on-line résumé. We will discuss web page design principles as well as how to present your experience and skills most persuasively. We will also provide instructions on how to put your resume on-line. In an ACC computer lab, we will examine successful on-line résumés and practice basic HTML coding. Previous web design experience is not necessary. (6 hours hands on).
For information on current offerings, costs, instructors, dates, and location, see ACC Continuing Education.

Graphics for Technical Writers

A hands-on seminar designed for technical writers who must create and edit graphics as part of their documentation work. This seminar focuses on identifying graphic file types, manipulating images, choosing image types, using screen captures, cropping and sizing graphics, anchoring and positioning graphics, and applying good graphic design principles. Although the instructor will use CorelDRAW to demonstrate graphics techniques, students will have time to experiment with CorelDRAW but Paint Shop Pro and Photoshop as well. (8 hours; hands on)
For information on current offerings, costs, instructors, dates, and location, see ACC Continuing Education.

FrameMaker: A Hands-On Introduction

FrameMaker has become an essential tool for technical communicators working in Austin-area industry. This seminar helps you get started learning this important desktop publishing application by providing an introduction to beginning and intermediate FrameMaker skills. In an ACC computer lab, you'll get a hands-on introduction to basic and intermediate skills such as creating and editing files; changing fonts, margins, tabs, indentation, columns, and page orientation; adding page numbers, headers, footers; creating tables, bulleted and numbered lists; using master pages; and importing and anchoring graphics. Special attention will be given to using the paragraph and character designer and to creating and using templates and styles. Advanced skills, such as creating cross-references and generating tables of contents and indexes, may be covered, depending on time left and the interests of seminar participants. (6 hours; hands on)
For information on current offerings, costs, instructors, dates, and location, see ACC Continuing Education.

Advanced FrameMaker: A Hands-On Seminar

FrameMaker has become an essential tool for technical publishing and is now required in much of Austin-area industry. This seminar helps you continue developing skills with this important desktop publishing application by exploring advanced FrameMaker tasks. In an ACC computer lab, you'll get a hands-on introduction to system- and user-created variables, adding cross-references to a document, creating a system-generated table of contents and index document, and grouping multiple files in a FrameMaker book document, which allows you to work with the files as a single unit. Additional advanced skills may be covered, depending on time left and the interests of seminar participants. Prerequisite: FrameMaker: A Hands-On Introduction or basic skills using FrameMaker. (6 hours; hands on)
For information on current offerings, costs, instructors, dates, and location, see ACC Continuing Education.

CorelDRAW: Part 1

An introduction to the tools, processes, and functionality of this powerful professional computer illustration package. Covers creating objects; manipulation of objects; use of the property bar, dockers, and customization; applying effects; text handling; and output for both print and web pages. You must be familiar with the Windows environment and have good mouse skills. (12 hours; hands on)
For information on current offerings, costs, instructors, dates, and location, see ACC Continuing Education.

CorelDRAW: Part 2

Presents advanced text and desktop publishing functions in DRAW; layers and advanced effects; tips and tricks to work smarter, not harder; interactive tools; converting to bitmap and bitmap manipulation tools in DRAW; and technical drawing features. Emphasis on both print and web output included in all exercises. You must have taken CorelDRAW Part 1 or have experience using the program. (12 hours; hands on)
For information on current offerings, costs, instructors, dates, and location, see ACC Continuing Education.

RoboHelp: Hands-On Introduction

This seminar introduces you to RoboHELP, one of the most popular online-help authoring tools in use by professionals today, providing a basic introduction to how these tools are used to create WinHelp and HTML-Help online documents and a review of the methodology and specific steps in designing, creating, and managing online-help projects. Included in the seminar will be demonstrations of numerous help systems created using this tool. Attendees will get an opportunity to experience using RoboHELP in a live online help project. While not required, a basic understanding of Word for Windows is expectedfor the best class experience. (8 hours; hands on)
For information on current offerings, costs, instructors, dates, and location, see ACC Continuing Education.

Adobe Acrobat Online

Learn to use this popular web document creation program. Software required: Adobe Acrobat with Distiller.

For information on current offerings, costs, instructors, dates, and location, see ACC Continuing Education.

Microsoft Front Page 2000

Learn to create web pages the Microsoft way. Take a look at how fast basic web pages can be created by using this popular web page creation software from Microsoft.

For information on current offerings, costs, instructors, dates, and location, see ACC Continuing Education.

Flash Web Animation - Multimedia Authoring

Design and deliver distinctive, low-bandwidth web sites with Macromedia Flash, the professional standard for producing high-impact, vector-based web experiences. Learn to create engaging graphics, script interactivity, and publish Flash content for reliable, cross-platform performance.

For information on current offerings, costs, instructors, dates, and location, see ACC Continuing Education.

Flash Advanced

This class focuses on the advanced features of Macromedia Flash, including ActionScripting and working with multiple timelines. Streamlining productivity with SmartClips and shared libraries is also covered, as is using the Movie Explorer and the Debugger to troubleshoot and edit movies. Prerequisite: Beginning Flash Web Animation. This class presumes students have a firm understanding of the Flash work environment, the drawing tools, symbols, and animation methods. Prerequisites: Introduction to Flash (Introduction to Multimedia Authoring).
For information on current offerings, costs, instructors, dates, and location, see ACC Continuing Education.

Adobe GoLive

Create and manage cutting-edge Web sites with the innovative visual-design tools in this Web authoring program. With Adobe GoLive, Web designers can make full-featured Web sites containing cutting-edge technology with tools for editing QuickTime movies, DHTML, pop-up URL lists, cascading style sheets and a palette window that allows quick placement of graphics and actions. GoLive provides an impressive array of tools for working with page design and site creation, as well as site management and link management, and HTML editing. "Point and shoot" linking pages can be linked within a site from a simple palette.
For information on current offerings, costs, instructors, dates, and location, see ACC Continuing Education.

Multimedia with Macromedia Director Part I

An application for the Web and beyond. Director is a multimedia application from Macromedia which allows you to combine graphics, sounds, video, and other media in any sequence and then add interactive features with Lingo, the program's powerful scripting language. You can just as easily create interactive media for the World Wide Web, CDs, information kiosks, presentations, and interactive TV. Topics Covered: Getting Started with Shockwave; Making Web Content with Shockwave; Creating a Movie; Creating Graphic Cast Members; Managing and Modifying Cast Members; Creating and Modifying Sprites. Prerequisites: Should have completed the first two (X)HTML classes and at least one of the Graphics classes (ITNW 6034 or ITNW 6001). Student should have an above average knowledge of his/her operating system. Required Software: MacroMedia Director.
For information on current offerings, costs, instructors, dates, and location, see ACC Continuing Education.

Multimedia with Macromedia Director Part II

A continuation of Part I. Topics Covered: Adding Navigation and User Interaction; Adding Audio/Video and Other Media; Preparing and Delivering Movies; Managing Color; Creating Animation; Attaching Behaviors; Writing Script with Lingo. Prerequisites: Multimedia with Macromedia Director Part I. Required software: MacroMedia Director.
For information on current offerings, costs, instructors, dates, and location, see ACC Continuing Education.

Web Graphics Introduction: Paint Shop Pro

Create fantastic graphics with PaintShop Pro, the world's most popular paint and graphics program. Discover how small graphics can speed up your site, while animated ones liven it up. Your favorite photographs can quickly become one-of-a-kind images on your Web pages. Learn how to use masks and discover how to create imagemaps, banners, transparent GIF's and animated files. Materials/software needed - PaintShop Pro version 7.0 or higher. Prerequisites: Part I: World Wide Web Authoring and (X)HTML, similar course, or equivalent experience. (Also known as Web Graphics Design and Implementation: Introduction.)
For information on current offerings, costs, instructors, dates, and location, see ACC Continuing Education.

Web Graphics Advanced: Paint Shop Pro

Building on the knowledge gained from the beginning web graphics class, learn how to manipulate graphics to create eye-catching variations of your individual creations as well as readily available clip art. In this online-only course, learn how to create textures like wood, gold, silver, chrome, copper, and marble. Learn how to create picture tubes, filters, and your own brush styles. Use JAVA and JavaScript to enhance your web pages with animated navigation buttons and other startling effects. Including photo retouching. Materials/software needed - PaintShop Pro version 7.0 or higher. Prerequisites: Web Graphics, Design and Implementation; Introduction, similar course, or equivalent experience.
For information on current offerings, costs, instructors, dates, and location, see ACC Continuing Education.

Photoshop Web Graphics (Beginning)

Photoshop is the world's leading image editing software, and the tool of choice for most web designers. In this introductory course, you'll learn the basics of digital imaging, and how to use Photoshop's most common tools, palettes, and commands for manipulating images and compressing them for the fastest downloads. Exercises include color correction, image retouching, photo montaging, designing entire web pages and indexing graphics for the web. There is no prerequisite for this class.
For information on current offerings, costs, instructors, dates, and location, see ACC Continuing Education.

Photoshop Web Graphics (Advanced)

This course delves further into the power of Photoshop. Learn techniques for creating photo-realistic textures, animating, creating JavaScript rollovers, image maps, and interface elements. Exercises are realistic, web-specific applications of Photoshop, and its companion program, ImageReady. Prerequisites: Beginning Photoshop Web Design before enrolling.
For information on current offerings, costs, instructors, dates, and location, see ACC Continuing Education.

DreamWeaver Introduction

Learn the top web publishing tool used most often by professional designers. If you already know how to code in HTML and find `wysiwyg' editors to be more of a hindrance than a help, this class is for you. DreamWeaver is an editing/site creation tool used to manage entire web sites. The program can be used separately to make the creation and management of any web site a breeze. Prerequisites: (X)HTML Part I and Part II.

For information on current offerings, costs, instructors, dates, and location, see ACC Continuing Education.

DreamWeaver Advanced

This class is an advanced class that is taken after you have successfully authored a Web site in the DreamWeaver Introduction class. This class will focus on advanced components of DreamWeaver. Topics include: Integrating DW with other programs, Advanced DW behaviors, DW style sheets, DW timelines, Extending DW. Prerequisites: DreamWeaver Introduction.
For information on current offerings, costs, instructors, dates, and location, see ACC Continuing Education.

UltraDev

This DreamWeaver-based program allows designers with little to no programming experience to create applications and connectivity using information stored in a database. Create great looking catalogs, forms and text-on-the-fly using an easy, intuitive interface and your knowledge of X/HTML. Prerequisites: MUST have passed the ACC DreamWeaver course and all three X/HTML classes, or permission of instructor. Some database knowledge helpful.

For information on current offerings, costs, instructors, dates, and location, see ACC Continuing Education.

Part I: Introduction to World Wide Web Authoring and (X)HTML

Part I of a three-part series is an overview of the Web, an introduction to (X)HTML markup and Web page design principles, and a tour of interesting, useful, attractive web sites. Students get hands-on experience in an Internet-connected ACC computer lab where they build simple web pages with hypertext links and graphics. Includes Web-authoring tools and an overview of techniques for extending Web sites. Prerequisites: Familiarity with PC and browsing the internet.

For information on current offerings, costs, instructors, dates, and location, see ACC Continuing Education.

Part II: Intermediate World Wide Web Authoring and (X)HTML

Part II of a three-part series is intended for intermediate Web authors. Provides skills needed to move beyond basic Web page creation. Introduces table design, forms, and frames construction. Learn tips and tricks for maintaining an active Web site. Hands-on experience in an Internet-connected computer lab. Build complex Web pages using techniques and principles covered in class. Prerequisites: Part I, similar course, or equivalent experience.

For information on current offerings, costs, instructors, dates, and location, see ACC Continuing Education.

Part III: Advanced World Wide Web Authoring and (X)HTML

Part III of a three-part series, this class is for advanced web authors who took Part II of this series. Introduces XML, dynamic (X)HTML, style sheets, and techniques to create images with small file sizes. Features a hands-on investigation and analysis of using these technologies with existing web sites. Prerequisites: (X)HMTL Part II.
For information on current offerings, costs, instructors, dates, and location, see ACC Continuing Education.

XML: Part I

Introduces extensible Markup Language (XML) and covers the similarities between SML and HTML as well as between XML and SGML; the advantages of XML over HTML; the process of switching from HTML to XML specification process and "production rules"; XML DTD's; XSL tools and resources; XSL style sheets; and the future of XML.

For information on current offerings, costs, instructors, dates, and location, see ACC Continuing Education.

XML: Part II

Intermediate Level. Provides the tools necessary to move beyond basic page creation and into complex XML documents and Document Type Definitions. Topics: Linking mechanisms, Xpointer, Xpath, adding style to XML documents, CSS and XSLT. Prerequisites: XML, Part I, or equivalent experience.
For information on current offerings, costs, instructors, dates, and location, see ACC Continuing Education.

XML: Part III

Advanced Level. Covers complex XML applications, XML Schema, the W3C, and the evolution of XML and XML-related technology. Prerequisites: XML: Part II, or equivalent experience.
For information on current offerings, costs, instructors, dates, and location, see ACC Continuing Education.

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