Blueprint for impact
Get a look at the pillars shaping this course.
While development is still underway, these highlights offer an early look at the skills and outcomes you’ll be working toward:
“This course was created to connect usability with technical communication in a way that’s hands-on and immediately valuable. Learners get to work on real challenges that show how design thinking and communication strategy intersect.”
Flexible. Applied. Built for business.
Exploring this for your team, not just yourself? You’re in the right place. This course is still in development, making it an ideal time to explore how it could support your workforce goals. Whether you're planning ahead or seeking a strategic fit, we’ll help tailor the experience so it delivers value for your team from day one.
Usability Strategies for Technical Communication
Boost your communication impact by mastering usability. Learn to create user-centered documentation that’s intuitive, accessible, and effective across digital platforms.
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Course description
Usability is the cornerstone of effective technical communication. This course equips learners with the skills and strategies needed to evaluate, design, and enhance technical content that works for real users. Through hands-on activities and portfolio-worthy projects, participants will explore how user experience principles directly influence clarity, comprehension, and accessibility in documentation.
You will learn how to conduct user research, identify usability issues, and apply findings to shape content that aligns with user behavior and expectations. From UX audits to wireframes, every element is focused on making technical communication more usable, responsive, and impactful. This course also reinforces collaboration and iterative design practices that are vital in content development and review cycles.
Whether you’re looking to improve existing workflows or build new content strategies from the ground up, this course gives you practical tools to elevate your communication approach. The skills you gain here are applicable across roles, industries, and formats, helping you stand out as a communicator who designs with people in mind.
Course outcomes
- Apply Usability Principles
Integrate usability strategies into documentation workflows to create more intuitive, user-centered experiences. - Conduct User Research
Design and execute small-group user research that informs content decisions and improves clarity. - Create a Usability Plan
Develop a full usability plan for an application, e-commerce site, or content-heavy interface. - Audit and Evaluate Content
Perform usability audits and content analysis to identify areas for improvement in documentation. - Map User Journeys
Use journey maps and wireframes to visualize and refine user interaction with technical content. - Enhance Accessibility
Evaluate and adjust documentation for accessibility, inclusivity, and ease of use. - Analyze UX Writing
Understand and apply usability-specific writing styles for technical audiences and contexts.
The learning experience
This course is designed for professionals and emerging communicators looking to level up their content through usability and user experience principles. No prior UX training is required, though familiarity with technical communication is helpful. Learners will engage in research, workshops, audits, and design exercises, all contributing to a final usability plan for their portfolio. The course is delivered asynchronously over six weeks, allowing learners to work flexibly while still receiving instructor guidance and peer feedback.
Cost
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This course is designed by RIT and delivered on the edX platform. Enrollment is available exclusively at edx.org. Please visit the edX website to explore more detailed information about pricing options, start dates, time commitment and more.
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Ready when you are
This course is not currently open for enrollment, but that doesn’t mean the opportunity has to wait.
If this course aligns with your goals or your team’s needs, let us know. Your interest helps us plan future sessions and may even accelerate the timeline. We also offer custom options for organizations looking to run tailored versions of this experience.
Hear from the experts
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Insight
“This course was created to connect usability with technical communication in a way that’s hands-on and immediately valuable. Learners get to work on real challenges that show how design thinking and communication strategy intersect.”
Value
“I believe that every technical communicator benefits from seeing their content through the lens of the user. This course helps people build that perspective and apply it with confidence.”
Flexible. Applied. Built for business.
Exploring this for your team, not just yourself? You're in the right place. RIT Certified courses and certificates deliver high-impact ROI whether used off the shelf or tailored with our team to align with your workforce strategy. Each offering builds in-demand skills that help teams grow, retain talent, and stay ahead in a world of constant change. We don’t just deliver training. We help you plan for what’s next.
Pathways and certificates
This course is part of a broader mastery certificate.
Explore how it fits into a full learning journey.
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