- International Fees
International fees are typically 3.25 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
Course Overview
This hands-on course combines concepts and practice as students work through all stages of designing and writing a quality Help system, including analyzing user needs, designing information and visual schemas, writing, indexing, and testing. Students will have the opportunity to learn about industry-standard authoring tools and publishing formats, and discuss the future trend of online Help.
Prerequisite(s)
- No prerequisites are required for this course.
Credits
3.0
Domestic fees
$649.26
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, the student will be able to:
- Determine suitable content for a Help system, based on audience needs and logical workflows.
- Organize information into different topic types (conceptual, procedural, reference, and wayfinding) and know the basic structure of each topic type.
- Design a consistent and predictable information flow and visual schema to help users quickly and easily find the information they need.
- Write topics to industry standard guidelines.
- Provide multiple pathways to access information by developing a table of contents, index, and effective links. They will also be able to explain how progressive disclosure and various search methods affect a user's ability to access information.
- Ensure the quality of a Help system by testing and completing quality checklists.
- Understand the differences between standard Help formats such as HTML Help, WebHelp, and Flash Help.
- Assess industry standard help-authoring tools to determine which will best meet organizational and user needs.
- Understand how the emergence of XML Help, task panes, push versus pull delivery, and an integrated approach to user-support may impact traditional Help systems.
Effective as of Fall 2006
Related Programs
Designing and Writing Online Help (COMM 1260) is offered as a part of the following programs:
- Indicates programs accepting international students.
School of Computing and Academic Studies
- Technical Writing
Associate Certificate Part-time
Course Offerings
Fall 2025
Below is one offering of COMM 1260 for the Fall 2025 term.
CRN 34584
Dates
Sep 11 - Nov 27 Loading
- CRN 34584
- $649.26 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 11 - Nov 27 | Thu | 18:30 - 21:30 | Online |
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
TBD
Course outline
Course outline TBD — see Learning Outcomes in the interim.
Important information
- Internet delivery format.
- Important course information will be sent to you prior to your course start date. Check your myBCIT email account to access this information.
- International fees are typically 3.25 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
- COMM 1260 is only offered during the Fall term. *(A)*SYSTEM REQUIREMENT: Windows based PC. You will be required to download and install MadCap Flare on your computer. On the first day of class, your instructor will provide step-by-step instructions for software installation. *(B)*COURSE DELIVERY: Synchronous online learning. You will be expected to be available and online on the posted days and times shown on your registration schedule. On the start date of your class (not before), log into learn.bcit.ca at 6:30 p.m. to access your course link. *(C)*BCIT CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP MARKETING ASSOCIATE CERTIFCATE STUDENTS: You are encouraged to take COMM 1009 instead of COMM 1260 for your certificate. You may choose either course, but your program highly recommends that COMM 1009 is preferred instead of COMM 1260 because it is more relevant. Contact your program area at mktgpts@bcit.ca with any questions.
Status
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice.