D#15 HW#2

In your blog post an individual reflection on Written Evaluation Report. In your reflection include the following:
What were the steps you took to complete the project? How might you change your process if you were to complete the project again? What steps do you think you will take for your next project?
This project was more difficult than the proposal because it required significantly more time.  It was difficult to coordinate the efforts of our wonderful team with final exams, work, and travel commitments.  In the real world, most people would be on similar schedules with their business commitments.  However we had a great group, and everyone pulled together to get the project completed in a timely manner, with professional results.

We were able to communicate via email and Smartsheet, with everyone contributing to various sections of the report.  One member laid out the ‘bare bones’ structure, and we all filled in as we went along.  The challenge was that some people were working on the same sections at the same time.  However in the end, it all came together with careful editing (MANY revisions:-) on everyone’s part.

For my next group project, I will assign specific sections to individuals to avoid duplication of effort.

What are you most proud of in this project? Why are you proud? What are you most concerned with in this project? How did you try to address that concern before finally submitting your project? If you had more time, how might you further work on that concern?
I am most proud of the effective communication environment that we created, given our challenges.  We were in different time zones, with different schedules, and different commitments.  We managed to make it come together, and there was absolutely no negative communication or conflict.
In terms of learning about composing, what did you specifically work on to improve during this project? Do you feel you succeeded in improving your composing processes or skills? What composing processes or skills will you work on during your next project?

This project was more challenging than the last in terms of composing skills required, because we were inadvertently working on different versions and compilation of a final, cohesive project was difficult.  I had to print off many versions and try to physically compare the changes to make sure I wasn’t missing anything.  In the future, I would look for a platform other than Smartsheet.  I don’t know exactly why it failed us, but it wasn’t the best application for collaborative writing.

What course outcomes did you work towards during this project? Do you feel you achieved them? How do you know? What evidence does either your process or product for this current writing provide towards demonstrating your achievement of a course outcome?

With this project, I was definitely more focused on processes.  We worked on many, many drafts and ‘final’ edits, proofreading, editing, and more proofreading and editing.  The collaboration process was a bit rocky, but not because of any inherent communication problems; simply schedule conflicts.  We were all flexible, and worked with it.  I was most proud that people who were available jumped in to take over when other people were overwhelmed with other responsibilities.  I believe that finishing a professional, polished, comprehensive project ahead of schedule — and with happy group members– is evidence of achievement of this course outcome!

D#14 HW#3

Memo sent May 2:

TO:  Dr. Rodrigo
FROM:  Osmara Altenhof, Valerie Cooper, Jennifer Nguyen, Kathryne Nunley, Marsha Wasson, Anthony Corder

RE:  Proposal Update – Online Project Management Applications

Below, please find an update to our proposal regarding evaluation of online project management software applications.  Time and Action project deadlines are updated as follows:

Task 1: Investigate Problem

1.      Complete Screen for three largest missed deadline projects complete April 23.

2.     Complete Begin analysis of missed deadline projects April 24.

3.     Complete Complete missed project analysis April 25.

Task 2: Identify Options

1.      In Process Begin feature analysis of available Project Management applications.

2.       In Process Identify three applications for further research by April 27.

Task 3: Identify Comparison Criteria

In Process, as above.

Task 4: Research Options

1.     Complete Identify associates for in-field usability testing by April 25.

2.      In Process Prepare protocol for in-field usability testing by April 25.

3.      Complete Acquire trial software for usability testing of three applications identified, by April 26.

4.      Scheduled May 1 Conduct 7-day usability testing in field.  Complete testing May 4.

Task 5:  Evaluate Options

On Schedule  Analyze results of usability testing.  Compile and complete final report for Board by May 7.

Task 6:  Prepare Recommendation Report

We look forward to presenting the results of our analysis and testing to the Board, as scheduled, on May 8.

D#14 HW#2

In your blog post the section names and page numbers of what sections in The Handbook of Technical Writing might help the information presented in Chapter 23.

The following sections supplement the material in Chapter 23.  I like the checklist and bullet-point style of HTW (particularly the Using Visuals checklist), and it will serve as a good reference for the in-depth information in TC21.

Presentations (p. 391-400)

• Analyzing Your Audience (p. 392)
• Gathering Information (p. 392)
• Selecting  Visuals (p. 395) and Using Visuals (p. 553)
• Delivering a Presentation (p. 398)

D#13 HW#3

In your blog, reflect on the changes you made to your blog. How and why is it “better” in terms of it’s rhetorical purpose and audience?

My new blog theme is more professional and polished than my previous ‘fun’ yoga-type theme.  I feel that this theme is more reflective of the audience to whom I will be addressing my posts.  While I personally liked the ‘green’ theme, it would be better suited for a blog that targeted that niche audience.  These posts will be read in an academic environment, and will be of a serious nature.  I feel that the colors and overall theme represent the content of the posts better than the previous theme.

In addition, I added two categories (Assignments and Reflections), and tagged each post with keywords that would enable searching.  I incorporated a calendar widget, which would be helpful for searching for assignments within a particular time frame.  I also incorporated a category drop-down list widget, which is helpful for searching for posts by category.  And finally, I incorporated a ratings bar above each post which is visible on the front page of the blog.  In this manner, readers can search for posts based on information that they are looking for, within a particular time frame or, if they are pressed for time, search for only the most highly-rated posts based on audience ratings.  The audience ratings will also help me improve the quality of future posts by targeting subjects and material that seem to be of interest to my audience.

D#12 HW#2

In your blog post an individual reflection on Evaluation Project Proposal. In your reflection include the following:

What were the steps you took to complete the project? How might you change your process if you were to complete the project again? What steps do you think you will take for your next project?

Next, after referring to the template of Project Evaluation Proposals in our textbook, I filled in some rough ideas (freewriting) for each section (Opening, Body, Conclusion) and tried to keep in mind the objective of problem identification (does a problem exist?), clearly defining the problem (some statistical analysis would be required ) and proposing logical solution for the problem.  The proposal should persuade the audience that there is a problem, and that the proposed solution makes sense.  I emailed rough drafts back and forth between our group.  If I were to undertake this type of problem again, I would proceed in the same way, however there was some duplication of efforts on behalf of our group. I’m not sure how I would handle this differently; perhaps by using another form of communication.  I felt that Smartsheet was a little cumbersome, and group members often found that we were working on the same sections of reports at the same time.  Perhaps defined specific sections to work on a little more clearly; a time and action plan with more specifics.   Given our time frame and other constraints, I felt we really addressed these issues well and everything came together as it should.

What are you most proud of in this project? Why are you proud? What are you most concerned with in this project? How did you try to address that concern before finally submitting your project? If you had more time, how might you further work on that concern?

I feel that the proposal was professional, and was very pleased with the end result.  I was also very proud of the fact that, as a group, we all worked well together and I felt that everyone contributed significantly.  It was the best group project that I have worked on at ASU, and I have worked on many.  My biggest concern was finding a way  to work with everyone and incoroporate everyone’s ideas while still having a cohesive end result.  I didn’t want the project to look as if it was pieced together from several different people.  If I had more time, I would have laid things out a little more clearly and taken the opportunity to meet with everyone personally, if possible.  But we really had a great group of people, and no major issues.

In terms of learning about composing, what did you specifically work on to improve during this project? Do you feel you succeeded in improving your composing processes or skills? What composing processes or skills will you work on during your next project?

This was a great exercise for improving my collaboration and composition skills.  It was challenging to compose everything into a final project that read as if it was written with one voice.  But with everyone’s contribution, I felt that I had time to devote to editing and polishing the final product.  Even after my final edits, however, other group members found a few errors that I missed, so I will work on editing with a more careful eye in the future.

What course outcomes did you work towards during this project? Do you feel you achieved them? How do you know? What evidence does either your process or product for this current writing provide towards demonstrating your achievement of a course outcome? What outcomes do you think you will work on in your next project?

I worked most on rhetorical knowledge, especially the following:

• Use conventions of format and structure appropriate to the rhetorical situation
• Adopt appropriate voice, tone, and level of formality
• Identify, articulate, and focus on a defined purpose

Since I was responsible not only for contributing some content, but also for final editing, these skills were important.  I felt that the final project clearly identified the problem, and spelled out a specific game plan for identifying a solution.  I also felt that the active voice used in the final project was very professional.  I worked to ensure that the proposal was concise and complete, and I feel we achieved that objective.

I will continue to polish these skills in the next project, and will also focus on critical thinking, reading, and inquiry as we will have a lot of research that will need to be incorporated into our final project.

D#10 HW#3

• In your blog post a reflection on Project #3. In your reflection include the following:
  • What were the steps you took to complete the entire project #3? How might you change your process if you were to complete the project again? What steps do you think you will take for your next project?

  I set deadlines for myself for each stage of the project, however I did not adequately plan for large projects in other classes.  As a result, I found myself having to spend too much time toward the end of the project in order to complete it before the deadline.  I generally like to get large projects done well in advance of the deadline, but needed all of the time allotted to complete this one.  In the future, I will evaluate the big-picture of all class projects when planning project deadlines.
  

  • What are you most proud of in this project? Why are you proud? What are you most concerned with in this project? How did you try to address that concern before finally submitting your project? If you had more time, how might you further work on that concern?

  Overall, I am very proud of this project.  I am particularly pleased with way I was able to incorporate visuals into the project, and used some of the technology that we had learned earlier in the course in order to accomplish these.  I was concerned that the language was consistent, formal and professional.  I edited for grammar several times, and had more than one ‘final’ revision.
  

  • What course outcomes did you work towards during this project? Do you feel you achieved them? How do you know?

  As noted above, rhetorical knowledge was a particular concern.  It was necessary to write clear, concise information, while ensuring that the project was thorough.  I am most comfortable writing in a ‘familiar’ tone, so this was a challenge for me.  I learned to depend more on collaborative processes, such as feedback from other classmates, to ensure that I was producing a quality product.  And I further needed to collaborate to complete the usability testing.  It was a pleasure working with Valerie, Jennifer, and Osmara on this aspect of the project; they were a tremendous help, and completed their usability testing ahead of schedule.  They also took the time to turn in quality work, which supported my final project.
  

D#10 HW#2

What sections in The Handbook of Technical Writing might help with communications in a team project?

A Teammate Misses a Deadline (p. 106-108)

I have encountered this situation more than once when attempting to navigate a group project.  The question becomes, when to get the instructor (or supervisor) involved, without creating animosity among the group or being insensitive to the needs of another group member.  I thought the example of the letter sent to professor addressed the situation professionally and will use it as a ‘template’ if a similar situation arises in the future.

A Teammate Turns in Poor Quality Work (p. 108-109)

Another common scenario when working with group projects.  Again, I liked the suggestion that an alternate version be prepared and tactfully submitted to the group, allowing the group to make the decision.

Other Team Members are not Committed to a High-Quality Project (p. 115)

I have had this situation in the past, and addressed it by dividing up the work, with each member responsible for their own work, with their name attached to that section.  Unfortunately, the result is still a sub-standard project in the end.  I like the book’s suggestion to refer back to the Team Charter, and really liked the suggestion to have the Professor review the project ‘so far’.  This is perhaps the best suggestion, and I will consider using this in the future.

D#10 HW#1

1. Which of the communication or problem solving styles do you tend to favor?

I scored 15  for the holistic problem-solving approach, and 13 for the action-oriented problem approach, so I show characteristics of both.  In general, I tend to problem-solve holistically, but that really depends very much on the type of problem and the urgency of the need for it to be solved.  For example, my brother-in-law is responsible for fire management of the Tonto National Forest.  If I were in his position, I would holistically problem-solve with big-picture type problems, such as how to best work with environmental groups and homeowners groups who have differing needs and opinions.  However, if I had to literally put out a forest fire – a big, urgent problem – I would not weigh the pro’s and con’s of how to best extinguish the blaze for very long.  Some problems are fires, others are fire management, and both require different approaches.

2.  Do you prefer a competitive speaking style or considerate?

In general,  I would consider my speaking style more considerate.  A competitive speaking style, however, has it’s place as well.  Sometimes, if everyone is being ‘considerate’, nothing gets done.

3.  Can you think of a time when your preferences for one style interfered with your ability to work on a team?

In a recent group project for another class, I found that my considerate speaking and problem-solving approach wasted considerable time.  As I waited for people to respond to my solicitations for ideas, and to ensure that I wasn’t making all of the decisions, nothing got done.  After repeated requests, and making suggestions trying to be careful not to step on anyone’s toes, I finally had to change my style, make decisions, and give everyone deadlines.

Deadline #9 – FINAL Project #3

Here is a link to my final Usability Study YouTube FINAL

Happy Easter:-)

D#8 HW#5 Reflection/Peer Review Process

I reviewed Osmara’s and Valerie’s rough draft usability studies, and posted links to my comments in a previous post.

I thought it was helpful for everyone to post a rough draft of their usability study.  Most followed the exact structure of the usability guidelines that had been established, but it was interesting to see how nearly everyone interpreted each section differently.  The Executive Summary was planned as a list of Executives, titles, and names in one study, and as an overall overview of the study in another.  I found it helpful to note how people had planned to administer the testing, versus my plan.  Osmara had decided on an online survey, which seemed like the perfect solution.  After hearing this, I did some investigating and decided on an online survey company as well.  My initial choice restricted ‘free’ access to only 10 questions (which I discovered after completing the survey) and I needed at least 12 to meet my goals.  I finally found a suitable company.

It was difficult to have any meaningful contribution with regard to grammar, structure, etc. as these were rough drafts.  I thought, as such, they were well-written and clear for preliminary work.

Comments have not been made on my draft as of today, but I will update this post as they become available.