Valeta OIS1500A

Blog6

2009-06-01T07:13:00.000-07:00

My final e-resume project is coming along well. I began by designing the template, and then followed the rubric on adding the proper content. So far, the most difficulty that I have had is adding the pictures and getting the text that I want with the picture in the correct place. I have all of the pages designed except for the podcast page and the e-mail form page. I still need to record my podcast and add dynamic content to one of the pages.
I have not done the podcast or the dynamic content because I am not sure how to do either of them. We recorded a podcast in our group project, but it was awhile ago. I am concerned about how to load it onto my site. I have printed out directions on how to record the podcast, and need to find the directions on loading it onto a website. I should be able to find this information on the video textbook. We added a dynamic content to our Copyright website 2 weeks ago, but I had a hard time following along with that challenge activity, so I need to review this on the video textbook also.
Overall, I feel confident about my website. I have enjoyed designing it, and I have definitely learned a lot through this class. It has been fun to learn something new that I didn’t know anything about before enrolling in the class. I don’t know that I will ever be designing a web site in the future. However, if I do then I will have a general idea and feel confident that I could design the site.

Viewing team websites

2009-05-21T10:54:00.000-07:00

Last week we reviewed the websites made by another class. It was a good experience to view another website that people in the same class had made. Looking through the website we had to check if all the information was on the site. This helped me to understand what was expected. The team that I evaluated had a lot of information on their site. However, the design was not very impressive to me. Each page had the same picture on it. The color of the backround was a dark green, and made it difficult to read. Overall, it was good information but not an attractive site.
Our team recieved the information back from the evaluation of our site. We had two misspelled words to correct. It was also suggested that we lighten the blue background at the top of our page. We decided that we did not want to lighten this color, so we changed the font color from black to white. The white font color made a drastic difference. Other suggestions were made that we did not feel needed to be changed. One of the suggestions was regarding a picture that was slightly out of focus. Another suggestion was to change the background in the body from white to another color. We did not change this because we felt that the colors flowed well together and looked good. Even though we did not agree with all of the suggestions, they did help us with knowing what might be attractive to other people.

Web Hosting

2009-05-17T13:04:00.000-07:00

In choosing a web host there are several questions to ask yourself. Some questions to consider are what do you plan to do with your site, how much time do you have to spend on it, and how much can you afford to spend. There are 5 basic types of host users. The first type of user is a solo operator. These people are usually new to web design, and need the simple step by step design tools and templates that are offered. The next type of user is a small business. This group would require a more customized look with more room to grow. Another group would be the online store. These users would be interested in advertising and selling products. The last two groups are medium and big business or enterprise. Both of these groups have a need for a more complex host. The type of site you build determines the type of host that you will need. There are three types of host available which include do it yourself host, shared hosting, and dedicated hosting. If you would just like to get information out about yourself or your interests, you would only need a simple host. However if you are running a business and would like to do transactions such as selling items, you will need a good high quality host. Since my site is not conected with a business, I would probably use an easy to use host. Homestead basic seems to offer a good rate, and doesn't look so complicated.

Experiences in Webpage Authoring

2009-05-04T07:04:00.000-07:00

Since I do not have a lot of experience with computers, I came into this class feeling like it was going to be very overwelming. As we have gone along I have started to enjoy the class. Before this class, I had never given any thought regarding how to create a webpage. It is not as difficult as it seems.
The activity that I have enjoyed the most, was last Thursday when Shawn and I designed our index page. I had listened to the podcasts and taken notes so that I would have some ideas what to do. It really paid off. We had several questions as usual for our instructor but we understood the general idea. It was fun and rewarding to see our page come together. My least favorite activity was creating the podcast. I understood how to record the podcast, but I am still very confused on how to save it into a file and submit it. This concerns me for the final project. I would understand better if I had printed directions that I could read and go over. The most usefull information that I have learned so far would be using the Properties at the bottom of the webpage in Dreamweaver. It is helpful having the tools you need for the page right there where you can see them. The Properties section is easily understandable.
I have enjoyed working with my team on the group work. The three of us have struggled through and have helped each other learn. Each person has done their part in creating our projects.
At this time I haven't done much with the final project, except to read over the directions and the rubric. As we go through the team website project, I am beginning to understand the final project much more. I do know that I need to begin planning out my sight. It is not a project that can be done in a day or two.
Overall I am enjoying this class, and feel like I have learned some new things. It has been very helpful when our instructor leads us through the challenge activities. When we are finished we are able to put what we learned into practice on our projects.

Valeta's 2nd Blog

2009-04-20T11:49:00.000-07:00

As we began our group podcast assignment, I was nervous. I had never created a podcast, and to be honest didn't really know what a podcast was. Once we were put into our groups, we began discussing what a podcast is and how we were going to go about creating ours. Alison was the only one who really knew anything about how to do this. She explained to us that we would record our information and then we would put it all together into a podcast.
My group which consisted of Alison, Shawn, LaTonya and myself were assigned to category of Student Services. We decided to each take a different student service offered at Marion Technical College. After we choose our service, we each researched the information on the MTC website. We went home and wrote a script for what we wanted to share in the podcast. My service was the library. During the next class, I recieved an e-mail from Alison that she would not be in class that day, and an e-mail from Shawn that she was sick and would not be in class. After several obstacles with the headphones, LaTonya and I were able to record our portions of the podcast.
During the next class we recieved an e-mail from Alison that she would no longer be in our class. Wow! we had no idea what to do. With some instruction from our instructor we were able to record Shawn's portion of the podcast, put the recordings together into one podcast and upload it to blackboard.
I enjoyed working in my group. I think we all learned some new things about podcasting. Each person did a great job in helping the group. We were able to brainstorm together and reach our goal.
After using the Audacity software to create our group podcast, I feel like I could use the software somewhat on my own. I am not sure if I could do all of it without some assistance. I do see how podcasting could be beneficial esspecially in the educational arena. It is helpful to listen to your instructor teaching instead of just reading it on your own.

Valeta's 1st Blog

2009-04-02T13:12:00.000-07:00

My name is Valeta Goon, and I am in the Medical Office Administration Program. I have always shied away from the computer because I am not very knowledgable at using it. Since I am in the medical office program, it is important that I learn how to use the computer. My goal in the OIS1500 Web Authoring Class is to successfully make it through the class. I struggle with computer classes, therefore I am very nervous about this class. I have already taken Computer 1 and made it through with the help of a wonderful tutor. I am hoping to understand how to use the World Wide Web and the computer in general more efficiently. The computer will be a vital tool in my future position in a medical office. I am excited about learning to blog, and design a Web Site. I plan to meet my goal of mastering this class by attending each of the classes and participating during the in class work. I learn the best by doing hands on assignments. Our professor, Mike Cotterman, is very helpful in explaining the different assignments and instructing us on the steps to completing these assignments. The text for our class "Non-Designer's Web Book" is very informative. After reading the first two chapters I have a greater understanding of the Computer and the Internet.
The information in the "In Three Design" web site was informative to me, and will be useful throughout the quarter as we discuss building a proper site. As we discussed in our first class, there are many web sites that have no real purpose. In reading this information hopefully I will gain knowledge in building a site with purpose. The information stated the importance of defining your audience, in order to target who you would like to visit your site. If you do not target the proper audience, you site will be of no value.
By analyzing your competition, you can determine what your site needs in order to entice your visitors to spend time at the site instead of going to another. You can analyze your competition by surfing the Web and looking at other sites that are trying to sell or promote something similar to your site. Look for what other's are doing that works and what doesn't work.
The content of your site is be accurate and of good quality. An important aspect to keep in mind is how friendly user is your web site. If the person has difficulty using your site, they most likely won't return. A well organized and easy to follow site will be much more attractive to your audience.