Six professional courses.
Members pay less.
About your instructor, Kwriter
I have managed my own writing and communications business since the 1990s while working for business and government in BC and Alberta. I have worked with colleges, universities, health authorities, corporations, and professional associations and learned a great deal along the way.
I created and delivered a course on writing for business and government at Grant MacEwan College, now MacEwan University, in Edmonton, AB. I then led courses for employees with the City of Edmonton and the Government of Alberta. I would go on to teach undergraduate students at Royal Roads University in Victoria, BC, while working as a communications officer with the University of Victoria.
All of my past experiences have informed the six new courses presented here. I have aligned my syllabus with curriculum standards, sought out professional peer reviews, current employer needs, new Open Textbooks, and communication outcomes from a mix of projects and campaigns.
It's fair to say this is all new, highly relevant and authentic learning, loaded with skill-building lessons and offered at a fair price. I invite you to be among the first to explore these courses and see where the learning can take you.
Welcome,
Kate Hildebrandt, instructor
Kwriter Academy
About the need for professional skills
Professional skills are critically important in the workplace today. Employers highly value technical knowledge and computer skills as well as interpersonal and behavioral attributes. Career success today includes having the ability to adapt, to be productive, supportive and effective.
The key skills employers seek today are:
- Communication and writing.
- Critical thinking and problem-solving.
- Adaptability and Flexibility..
- Leadership.
- Emotional Intelligence and Empathy.
- Teamwork and collaboration.
- Time management and organization.
- Continuous learning.
About learners and their stories
Undergrad
You're about to begin your first year at university. It's a big step, but you're read. You made a plan to polish your writing and presentation skills for the best possible grades. Smart! You signed up for our professional writing course because you prefer self-paced learning with some instructor support.
Working dad
You've got a happy life and a great job. An opening has come available at work for a leadership role that's got you thinking. You need to refresh your communication skills to meet the job requirements. Our strategic communications course caught your attention. It's just what you were hoping for.
New hire
Congratulations on the new job. The workload is interesting, steady and, at times, quite challenging. You've been thinking about building an online portfolio to showcase your work and how you've progressed.
New citizen
You have worked hard to master the English language -- reading, writing, speaking fluently. What an achievement. Now, you are building a career plan to define specific goals usng our Career Building + Job Hunting micro course. Up next, the Membership Plan. Onwards!
About our learning resources
Various reputable sources add relevance, depth and interest to each lesson so learners can connect with real life concepts, stay engaged with their course content and retain the learning each lesson provides.
The only textbooks needed for each course are Open Learning* pressbooks and links are provided within each course plan. Many of these Open texts are published by Canadian colleges and universities. The majority have been issued within the last three years.
By using a mix of Open Learning textbooks and selected resources, we uphold academic rigor, authenticity, and the thrill of great learning with a dash of the unexpected.
*Open Learning allows anyone access to free educational resources across the globe via the Creative Commons copyright. Read the full story in our blog posts.
About course format and delivery
- Course plan
You will receive a course plan by email. It will include a schedule, a course outline, information on what your will study across each module, and details about how to log on and access each lesson.
Tasks and assignments will be explained so the learner will know what to do. Lessons are structured with mixed media to enable various learning styles. The 'knowing' and feelings of confidence may start slowly and should build gradually towards completion. -
Course delivery
These are part-time, 100% online courses that each require six weeks to complete.
The micro course is a free three-week course.
Real-time sessions are held Mondays every other week. Log in to access these sessions using the schedule provided in your course plan.
Learners work through course modules on their own time and at their own pace.
Your instructor provides feedback on your assignments in writing. These comments are to acknowledge your effectiveness and where you can further advance your skills. A virtual meeting can be arranged to discuss your work, request support, or ask questions.
You also have access to a forum in which you can post and discuss questions with other learners. - Learning objectives
Each course overview*, included in your course plan, is built around four or five objectives learners are expected to achieve.
Course content is structured to support learners using various learning resources including readings, slide decks, videos and handouts.
*Go to the home page and click on the course overview button to learn more about the courses that interest you.
- Expect a slow start and gradual increases in complexity
Each course begins with a storyboard on the key learning process within each course.
Building on each step of learning, course content becomes gradually more complex.
Refer to your course storyboard which explains the key process of each course. Get to know each step and, in time, you will master the process. - Various formats for various learning styles
A variety of formats are used to improve all learners' abilities to understand each lesson.
Content is visually appealing, written in Plain Language and easy to understand.
Learners complete quizzes, assignments and a final open book exam with each course, except the micro course.
If you get stuck, feel confused or want to raise a question, email your instructor to arrange for a chat.