Andy Blood's Blog

Deadline #10 HW #4

Andy Blood — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 03:30:52 +0000

- What were the steps you took to complete the entire project #3? I went online and looked at some examples of Usability Reports and than went to the text and reread the sections on Usability Reports. Than I looked at the grading sheets and put my own together. I had to edit quite a bit because I tend to over complicate things.
- How might you change your process if you were to complete the project again? I wouldn’t change my process.
- What steps do you think you will take for your next project? Probably the same stumble around and figure out what I am trying to do to get a good grade. There are definite drawbacks to being in an online class.
- What are you most proud of in this project? The fact that I completed it.
- Why are you proud? Because this class has been a whole lot of work.
- What are you most concerned with in this project? Nothing.
- How did you try to address that concern before finally submitting your project? Not concerned.
- If you had more time, how might you further work on that concern? Not Concerned.
- In terms of learning about composing, what did you specifically work on to improve during this project? Nothing that I am aware of.
- Do you feel you succeeded in improving your composing processes or skills? Not really sure.
- What composing processes or skills will you work on during your next project? Probably focus on the same thing finishing.

Deadline #10 HW #3 – Revised Written Instructions

Andy Blood — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 02:28:53 +0000

Our New Home Page

Adding Themes to your iGoogle homepage

Adding Gadgets to your iGoogle homepage

Using Chat on iGoogle

Deadline #10 HW#2 – Team Writing Chapter 8

Andy Blood — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 02:11:35 +0000

Handbook of Technical Writing

Section – Organization Writing and Revision p.72 Collaborative Writing

Deadline #10 HW#1 Team Writing Chapter 7

Andy Blood — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 01:33:30 +0000

My discussion style that I favor is a competitive one. The reason for this is the way that I was raised. I am also very passionate about certain subjects and am not afraid to share my true feelings. I was raised in a loud family and I am a naturally competitive person. I do admire the considerate discussion style and strive to be more like that in my everyday life. My wife has a considerate discussion style. She has learned to be more vocal being married to me and I have learned to be more considerate from her. We compliment each other.

My presentation style did not lean in the direction of the self depreciating style or the self promoting style. I feel that I am more balanced in this area. Or that’s what I chose to believe and my perception is my reality right?

My problem solving style leans more toward the action oriented style vs. the holistic approach. I think I can appreciate both strengths in each style. I also have experienced the weakness of both styles in my life as well. Never planning before I jump in to action or planning to much and never taking action. Oh to balanced is what our aim should be.

Deadline #8 HW #3 – Team Writing Chp 3 & 4

Andy Blood — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 04:53:28 +0000

I have never worked in a group in class or my job. Up until now I have an Associates in Graphic Design which requires a very singular type of work. I have however been on the leadership team with in my church. I love the charter it is a great idea. We had the bi-laws which had been revisited since Moses parted the Red Sea. I love team Goals and defining what constitutes success. I love the team preparation work sheet it will come handy if I ever have need to work in a group. I guess I work better alone. On my schedule since it is so tight. The task schedule is pretty detailed and project management software would be an asset only in certain situations like work. I have found in volunteer situations you can’t get people to put forth that much effort or honestly answer questions like those. So it really loses momentum right out of the gate. So in an ideal world or work. These parameters would be very valuable.

Deadline #8 HW #5 – Peer Reviews and Reflection

Andy Blood — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 04:21:51 +0000

Commented: Project #3 Draft

Commented: D#7HW#6 project 3 draft

Comment: kolstein2005 on Deadline 7 HW 6 – Usability Test Draft

These are the 3 that commented on. First of all I was very surprised at how little comments are out there.

The first comment I did their was not enough on the draft to fully evaluate it like my professor would have me do. I did better on the second one because their was more content but I still could not do it exactly according to the format that was supplied me. I think you really need a very complete draft and some obvious glaring mistakes or suggestions that need to be made. Well at least I do.

BTW I just figured out the time zone thing in my setting so my time stamps should be accurate now.

I only had one person review mine because I didn’t try to recruit until late. Last minute Larry I am sorry to say. Anyway in summary I think it is very difficult to critique someone else’s work when you are grasping at straws just to comprehend yourself. Cheers.

Deadline 7 HW 6 – Usability Test Draft

Andy Blood — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 02:04:20 +0000

Usability Team
- My usability team would consist of 3 people one from each of my target audiences. A student an instructor and staff member from the marketing department involved with student recruiting.
  - “What is most important is that the team are all stakeholders in the learning more about the usability of the document “ (Durbin)

Test Parameters
- Two different tests.
Student test.
- Set for the first day of open enrollment for freshman in the fall. Set up will be in the common area just outside of admissions. Set up for 5 days Monday through Friday. Two hours in the morning two hours in the afternoon.
- Will use IT department computers set up on wifi. 10 each
- Time frame 30-40 minutes. Plus an exit questionnaire. Plan for an hour. Assuming we are full that should give us 200 student samples.
- Budget buying GTU t-shirts to hand out to each participant. Purchase at the bookstore cost. Purchase using marketing dollars earmarked for advertisement.
Faculty and staff test
- Set in the cafeteria will coincide with the same week that the student test is set for. Set up for 5 days Monday through Friday.
- Open 2 hours for breakfast 2 hours for lunch.
- Will use IT department computers set up on wifi. 10 each
- Time frame 30-40 minutes. Plus an exit questionnaire. Plan for an hour. Assuming we are full that should give us 200 faculty or staff samples.

Budget for giving away a 10.00 gift certificate from the cafeteria. Purchase the certificates for the actual cost of the food plus labor no mark up.
Will give
We will time each test to see if people are getting through it quickly.
We will also have them use their personal information so the adoption rate will be higher.
Audience for the test results is the Direct of IT for GTU.
Goal for this test is to determine how effective and easy is it for someone to adopt the new technology, iGoogle.
Issues could include people not wanting to take the time to participate.

User Profile
Ages 18 and older, Men and women
All ethnic backgrounds. Should be able to speak and read English to attend or work at GTU.
Test Issues & Goals

Deadline 2 HW 8 – Reflection Chpt 2-4

Andy Blood — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 00:32:24 +0000

In chapter 1 and 2 in Technical Writing for the Twenty First Century deal with some common issues but ones that we don’t always take into consideration when writing. It is very important for us to stop and think before we write. This is a common problem of all people that have to write on their jobs. Good habits are learned from making mistakes and not wanting to a repeat performance or from classes like this.

The text talks about work place problems and rhetorical problems, which speaks right to how to approach certain types of audiences with your message and how to craft a message for the best way to approach your audience. You have to take careful consideration because audiences vary significantly and audiences have expectations and attitudes.

In chapter 3 it brings the most significant point that writing is not necessarily writing anymore in this digital age. There are many ways to communicate your message but all have to be filtered through a deliberate thought out approach that is learned. It is like one layer is built on the other making a strong foundation.

In chapter 4 we deal with ethics in writing. This chapter is usually a no brainer for most people. But there are certain situations that could easily be overlooked. And this chapter brings us back to the foundation of slowing down and thinking before we transmit our message. Communicating with others to see if we are getting all the perspectives before we transmit our message.

I love learning new technology that has been real fun.

Commented: D#2.0, HW#8 – Reflection

Commented: D#2.0, HW#8: Reflection

Commented: TWC 301 D#2 HW#8 VCOOPER’s Reflect on Learning from D#1 and D2 response to classmates

Deadline #7 HW#4 – Chpt 23 HTW

Andy Blood — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 05:40:45 +0000

In chapter 23 of our text some of the main points that stood out to me that were important and often overlooked are…

Assessing the Physical Location

•Visit the location ahead of time

•Consider rehearsing under simulated conditions

•Know where you’ll be, relative to your audience

•Familiarize yourself with the equipment

Determining the Time Available

•Budget one to two minutes for each slide

•Use leftover time to expand on main points

•Limit your presentation to the time allotted

•Save time for setup, interruptions, and questions

These 2 groups fall under being prepared and practicing.

In the THW book these were the points that stood out to me in my reading…

Structure the Presentation p. 393

More detailed information that I don’t believed was covered in chapter 23 on ways to begin your presentation, your introduction.

An attention getting statement-

A rhetorical question-

A personal experience-

An appropriate quotation-

Delivering a Presentation p. 398

Eye contact-

Movement-

Gestures-

Projection-

Pace-

Important stuff to remember while practicing and even to be reminded of by notes in your presentation.

Presentation Anxiety p. 400

the best way to master anxiety is to know your topic thoroughly-knowing what your going to say and exactly how your going to say it will help you gain confidence and reduce your anxiety as you become immersed in your subject.

Deadline #7 HW#3 – Chpt 12 HTW

Andy Blood — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 05:18:55 +0000

The three sections I read in the Handbook of Technical Writing were…

1. Correspondence p. 102

2. Selecting the Medium p. 494

3. “You” Viewpoint p. 575

I really like the handbook because it’ s seems to be a concise read. I love the practical examples of “weak” and “improved” examples. It really breaks it down for me. I like the writers check list it is a little less to read than the summary at the end of the chapters in Technical Writing for the Twenty First Century.

In this chapter as well as the Technical Writing Handbook it reminds you to stop and think before you write and consider things before blasting off an email or a text. Now if I can just remember to do just that. :0)