Reflection+Piece

Note: Individual reflection pieces can also be found at the bottom of their corresponding page.

Wiki Assignment #1: Start wiki
In starting my wiki, I concentrated on the initial look: the use of color (subtle, modern) with black text on a white background, which Redish recommends. In adding and organizing the content, I focused on what my audience needed and expected (another Redish recommendation) and put only the information that was relevant to the "essential message." The organization of pages listed on the left-hand side was designed so that people could easily find the information related to the course.

Wiki Assignment #2: Fitness Sports home page redesign
Here I used many of Redish's principles including compacting information into groups, using color and illustrations effectively, naming links so that they are meaningful and easy to use for site visitors, and putting advertising where people expect it (on the lower, right-hand side). I also edited the text for consistency, spelling, and word usage, cutting the text where necessary to streamline the site, making it easier for users to skim and scan the content for what they need.

Wiki Assignment #3: Wiki review
When conducting my review, I used Redish's ideas about: focusing on the big picture and finding out whether or not my reviewer understood what my wiki was trying to achieve and that they understood its key purpose, which I had told them beforehand. I also asked my reviewer to proofread my text and asked for input and suggestions regarding appropriate content and links that could be added to enhance the user experience to my wiki. I received a useful critique of my wiki and incorporated many of his key elements, which I feel really enhanced my wiki.

Wiki Assignment #4: Lists and tables
For this assignment, I created a table called "Wiki Assignment Schedule" that made the information about each wiki assignment easy to view and follow, per Redish's suggestion. Additionally, I kept the table relatively simple and used as few words as possible without sacrificing user understanding. The Activity Log and Weekly Slides pages on my wiki are also done in tables, which follow the same Redish principles.

Due to the limitation of the wiki site, however, I couldn't format the tables as precisely as I would have liked. For example, I would have liked to put more spacing between columns and rows for easier readability. Additionally, I would have used more columns, which was not possible -- due to wiki site restrictions -- without compromising the overall look.

Wiki Assignment #5: Incorporate Illustrations
In keeping Redish's principles in mind, I didn't feel that there were many places on my wiki that using an illustration would be effective or appropriate. The coursework content just didn't seem to necessitate an illustration. However, I added illustrations in two places where I felt they added value: 1) the cover to Redish's book (which is also linked to Amazon's bookselling site); and 2) STC's logo, which is also linked to their website.

Wiki Assignment #6: Style guide
I put my style guide in alphabetical order, as Redish shows in Figure Interlude 3-1. With its sparse entries, my style guide's initial format was a logical sequence (format, content, spelling, etc.). However, I realized that once additional content began to fill up pages, which it would in time, the information would be easier for users to find if it was in alpha order.

My wiki content is consistent with my style guide standards that I set, e.g., the spelling of website, the use of style headings, and the consistent layout of pages.

Other conventions I used that Redish suggests are: starting small (it will grow along with the addition of content); using easy to find topics in alphabetical order; and making the style guide accessible by putting a page link to it on the left-hand side of every page.