Carlena Mattiello: Spring 2011 Technical Writing and Information Design: A Reflection on the Learning Process.

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Transcript Carlena Mattiello: Spring 2011 Technical Writing and Information Design: A Reflection on the Learning Process.

Slide 1

Carlena Mattiello: Spring 2011

Technical Writing and Information Design:

A Reflection on the Learning Process


Slide 2

PROJECTS: A Gradual Progression

Project One:
SCHEMATIC

Project Two:
MULTIMODAL

Project Three:
TECHNICAL
REPORT

Project Four:
WEB SITE

Information Design Through Hands-On Assignments


Slide 3

Project One: Schematic
sche·mat·ic
[skee-mat-ik, ski-] –adjective
pertaining to or of the nature of a schema, diagram, or
scheme; diagrammatic.
Organization and Flow of Ideas and Information


Slide 4

Project One: Schematic
For the first assignment, we were required to use a schematic diagram to enhance
our first project proposal.

For Project One, I proposed the creation of an Avery training guide.
I explored various
programs that
specialize in
diagram/flowchart
creation such as
Omnigraffle; however,
I used Microsoft Word
to create my
flowcharts.
(See next page.)


Slide 5

Project One: Schematic (Continued)

I created these two flowcharts to
present information to the reader in
an organized manner.


Slide 6

The schematic taught me how to:

- explore new applications,
- organize presented information,
- write concisely for a target audience, and
- remain on-point with my proposal.


Slide 7

Project Two: Multimodal
mul·ti·mod·al
[muhl-tee-mohd-l, muhl-tahy-] -adjective
Characterized by several different modes of
activity or occurrence.
Project Enhancement and Using New Media


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Project Two: Multimodal

For Project Two, we
were required to use at
least three unique
interactive media tools
to present information
to our target audience.
I created a Web site
with embedded video,
virtual photo galleries,
poll, downloadable PDF
files, and hyperlinks.


Slide 9

Project Two: Multimodal (Continued)

The Web site included an
embedded video, which I
created and uploaded to
YouTube, in addition to
interactive photo galleries.


Slide 10

Project Two: Multimodal (Continued)

The links above allowed users to download grammar worksheets as PDF files.


Slide 11

The multimodal project taught me to:

- adhere to design constraints,
- consider user interaction, and
- use new media applications.


Slide 12

Project Three:
Technical Report
Technical Report: A document that describes the process,
progress, or results of technical or scientific research or the
state of a technical or scientific research problem. -Wikipedia
Template Creation, Formatting, and Organization of Information


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Project Three: Technical Report

While creating the
technical report, I
worked on creating
my own template in
Microsoft Word,
which included
formatting
consistency and
linking the Table of
Contents with
paragraphs and page
numbering using the
program’s menu
options.


Slide 14

Project Three: Technical Report (Continued)

I used various
Microsoft Word
formatting
options to
create a
template that
would update
itself as
information
was added.


Slide 15

Project Three: Technical Report

Finally, I learned
how to create
simple, yet visually
attractive graphs
using graphing
software.


Slide 16

The technical report taught me to:

- research components of a
technical report,
- design a functional template, and
- consider formatting consistency.


Slide 17

Project Four: Web Site

HTML Coding, File Uploading, and Site Management


Slide 18

Project Four: Web Site
I am currently completing Project Four: a Web site that focuses on Maryland’s
blue crab culture and traditions.

So far, I have been able to:
 Use TextEdit to prepare HTML
code
 Upload files successfully to a
server/host
 Successfully add photos and
embed videos (linked to
outside pages and those
saved within files)
 Alter font size, type, and color
 Create simple tables
 Create bullets/lists/block text
 Link to interior/exterior pages


Slide 19

Project Four: Web Site (Continued)

I was able to use
Filezilla to upload a set
of organized files to a
server that displays my
Web site online.


Slide 20

The Web site taught me:

- the basics of HTML coding,
- to consider audience usability,
- trial and error techniques, and
- how to combine the design elements
learned throughout the semester.