Introduction to DITA

This online training course teaches the basic skills in how to create content using the DITA XML technical writing standard

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This online training course teaches the basic skills in how to create content using the DITA XML technical writing standard. The ten learning modules in this course contain videos of the trainer with supporting slides and images. The course includes exercises and model answers for the delegates to complete and review.

If you’re not sure what DITA is, and why you’d want to use it, download our free illustrated guide to the business benefits of DITA.

To enrol: http://cherryleaf.teachable.com/courses/writelessons

dita elearning course screen

“The Cherryleaf DITA course ticked a lot of the boxes for me: good content, good value, and available without having to travel to the South East. The introduction to the key DITA areas was presented very well – I have read similar information in books and online, but I was able to absorb it much better through the e-learning course.” Craig Wright.

Who is this course for?

If you need a solid understanding of the basics of DITA, this affordable training course is ideal for you. We’ve designed the course for anyone who wants a solid understanding of DITA.

Course outline

  • Introduction
    • Introduction – What is DITA?- In plain English
    • Introduction – What DITA is not
    • DITA – What it looks like
    • Which problems is DITA trying to solve?
    DITA Fundamentals
    • Topic-based writing
    • Fundamentals – Topics
    • Fundamentals – Maps
    • Fundamentals – Information Typing
    • Fundamentals – Specialisation
    • DITA and reuse
    • Granularity
    • Transformations
    Introduction to Topics
    • Topic-oriented writing
    • Compulsory elements and attributes
    • High-level topic elements
    • Body elements
    • Sections
    • Block level elements
    • Phrase level elements
    • Table elements
    • Images and figures
    The base types of topics
    • Concepts
    • Tasks
    • References
    • Metadata
    • Constraints
Maps
  • What are maps?
  • Relationships in a map
  • Collections
  • Map elements
  • Grouping content together in a map

Linking

  • Linking and reusing topics
  • Cross references – pros and cons
  • Related Links
  • Relationship tables
  • Conrefs
  • Conditional content
  • Ditaval syntax
  • Indirect linking

Transforming and publishing DITA

  • Transforming DITA
  • Why transform DITA?
  • What is XSLT?
  • What is the DITA Open Toolkit?
  • What is Ant?
  • What is FOP?
  • Running transformations
  • Creating other outputs

Using tools with DITA

  • Publishing tools

Duration and delivery format

The course comprises ten modules in total, which you can complete at your own pace. The course will take delegates approximately 1 day to complete.

The course modules are delivered via the Web in small, manageable modules. With the exercises, each delegate will need to allocate around seven hours to complete the course.

You can pause the modules at any time and return to the course, for a period of six months (we can extend this on request).

Professional certification

certified member logoIf you want to become a Junior, Certified Member or Certified Fellow of the technical communicators’ national professional body - the Institute of Scientific and Technical Communicators (ISTC) - Cherryleaf’s training courses can help. Junior Members, Members and Fellows are certified by the ISTC through a vetting process, with Members and Fellows entitled to use the initials MISTC or FISTC after their names. All ISTC members have a responsibility to maintain their professional competence through Continuing Professional Development (CPD) , and Cherryleaf’s courses can help demonstrate you are extending and updating your skills.

How to Enrol

This course is part of WriteLessons, from Cherryleaf

WriteLessons, from Cherryleaf, provides you with access to a range of courses in technical communication. You have access to all of the courses contained within WriteLessons, which you can take at your own pace.



Your Instructor


Cherryleaf
Cherryleaf

Cherryleaf is a technical writing services company formed in 2002 by people with a passion for technical communication and learning development.


Cherryleaf is recognised as a leader within the technical communication profession. Our staff have written articles for the Society for Technical Communication's (STC) Intercom magazine, the Institute of Scientific and Technical Communicator's Communicator journal and tekom's TCWorld magazine. They've also written books on technical communication. We've presented webinars for Adobe, Madcap Software or the STC, and we've spoken at various conferences around the world.


Today, organisations throughout Europe use Cherryleaf’s services so they can provide clear information that enables users and staff to complete tasks productively.


Course Curriculum


  First Section
Available in days
days after you enrol

Courses Included with Purchase



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Documenting REST APIs
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Revising and Editing Content
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n/a: £308


Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?
After enrolling, you have access to this course for as long as you are a subscriber - across any and all devices you own.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 30 days and we will give you a full refund.

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