Course Reflection.

First of all, I would have to say how great of an experience this class has been. I think a lot of the projects that have been done will guide through upcoming classes. They have given ways to make my projects unique and creative. Though at the beginning of the semester I was have a tough time getting used to Dreamweaver. To tell you the truth my heart wasn’t even in it and the class wasn’t what I thought it was going to be. It was a struggle because the most important thing I like putting into my projects is my own identity and creativity. I wasn't aware of how to do that with a program I wasn't familiar with. However, it got better and I got used to it. In the meantime, I realized It’s all about the time and effort you put in to it not about the actual things. In the end all the projects were awesome and I’m so glad we got the chance to choose our topics and ideas the whole way through. I chose animals and the environment in which was so natural for me. It was amazing how you let us write for us and who we are. We wrote what we wanted to write about and sometimes we never get the chance to. So, I thank you for giving me that chance and I learned to be me and that’s what matter most because I end up seeing why I wanted to be a writer in the first place. What I’m really saying is with your gifted self encouraged inspiration 101.
As for in class, I would have to say the atmosphere was really open and we all were innovative and clever. The coolest thing was I met a few inspiring and rad people. I give thanks to Kristina, Megan, Rimi, Tabatha, and Mindy for making the class humorous. They just made the time go bye when times in class got rough and when I wanted to throw the computer at the wall.
As for you Crystal Cox that is easy. All I have to say is I’m so glad I have got the chance to learn from you for like an entire year. I am well aware yet appreciated for you letting me in your class and all the hassle you had to go through. I was taught a lot and your advice was well taken. Through you I have learned my strengths and weaknesses when it comes to writing. Not a lot of students realize that and I have. The class definately broadened my horizon.

p.s. Stay in touch and happy holidays! Cheers.

-- always Megan

Unit 3 Reflection.

I would have to say for starters how exciting and neat this project was for me. This project really stood out from all the previous projects I have created for class. I think it was due to the fact I tried to make the project represent a part of me and how unique and creative I could make it. In my head it was really eye-popping and fun to complete. As for the Multimodal Webzine, at first, I was interested in doing organic foods but in the end I decided to focus on something to do with animals. Since I already knew I had such a passion for animals, I decided to do the project over Zoological Gardens as known as Zoos. In particular, my Webtext centered on what a zoo was, the purpose of a zoo, how zoos obtain animals for showcase, and the negative aspects of a zoo. As for my podcast, it hit the bull’s eye of talking about the different types of zoological gardens such as a safari park, a petting zoo, and an aquarium. I think this topic was a great choice because I know a lot about zoo and I have had experience there as well like any child would. Ever since I was a kid myself, a zoo has always felt like a place where my imagination can grow. I have learned a great deal especially responsibility in raising animals.
Intended for the project, I would have to say I am somewhat proud of how my projects have seemed to intertwine. At first, I was having a bit of trouble but in the end it all came together. In favor of the audience, this little adventure was projected towards people who care about animals and the environment, even people who are interested in it and environmentalists. My main disadvantage, pertaining to the podcast slideshow, was sometimes I actually have a rough time expressing myself though sometimes it comes naturally through words and writing. All in all, I had a rough time at the beginning because I felt like my podcast slideshow didn’t show any emotion at all. However, it changed in the end and I figured it out that my audience needs to hear emotion to realize that the topic is worth being heard. However, I would have to say my pictures were adorable and that I think was my favorite part of this project.
The purpose of my Multimodal Webtext was to inspire my listeners about how much joy a zoological garden can bring to not only a child but to an adult. I also wanted to mention to my audience about the concerns of animals today and their safety. Mainly, I wanted to motivate my audience to increase animal awareness as well as create a friendly biome for all of us.
As for deciding the organization of the webtext, I wanted my main points to go with the flow and be original. I wanted to flow away from the traditional introduction, body, and conclusion. I tried making all of my sub-points reflect my my main point. I tried to make everything understanding, in detail, yet to the point. My links really helped when it came to explaining things especially the animal prisoner article link though I couldn't find a lot of links that contributed. The design of my webtext was creative, with tranquil colors, and lots of adorable photographs. I messed around a lot with design and used pretty earthy and rustic colors.
Allembracing, I would have to say this was my favorite project of all. Though I really enjoyed how every project was a little piece of our unique selves. I had fun and gained a lot of knowledge through all my classmates projects. Raise your Voice! Thanks Again,
--Megan

Podcast Reflection.

For the podcast assignment, I decided to focus on the area of making green choices or going green. It was particularly a great choice because I feel really passionate about this topic. More or less, I felt a need for spreading the word of how important it is to keep an eco-friendly environment. I really enjoyed doing this pod cast as well as the first one because in the end all of our assignments are creative and they all seem to intertwine one another somehow. As for the pod cast itself, I had a rough time at the beginning because I felt like my pod cast didn’t any emotion at all. However, it changed in the end and I figured it out that my audience needs to hear emotion to realize that the topic is worth being heard.
The purpose of my pod cast was to inspire my listeners about the concerns of our surroundings. Also, how easy it is to change their lifestyle and habits to benefit a friendly biome. Mainly, I wanted to motivate my audience to increase environmental awareness. My audience is aimed towards those who are interested in the environment or those who want to change their lifestyle or habits to benefit a natural environment.
As for deciding the organization of my pod cast, I think it was well organized for an everyday listener. My introduction was about what I was talking about, then I led into what it was, then the main poi
nts I was going to talk about, and finally I concluded to say helping the environment is just a step towards a brighter future. However, I believe everything turned out well though I was slightly unsure how to write a script. In the end, I was really proud of the turnout.
Anyhow, I think my pod cast was informational and well put together. I think many other students might enjoy what I have to say because it seems to that making green choices is becoming a new trend. With the pod cast, I was really proud of how expressive and detailed I was. When the pod cast was concluded, I have to say the music at the beginning which was big yellow taxi was a unique way to start. Also, I wouldn’t have done so well if it weren’t for the helpful information from the all time best website www.treehugger.com. It was amazing because it give people information about how to go green in every area such as travel and design. What can I say, the site filled me with knowledge!
In general, if I wouldn't have missed a week of class I think my podcast might have been a bit better and i wish I knew more about audacity program. All in all, I believe my podcast was done with the best of my ability. All in embracing, I was interested in my podcast and I hope my fellow podcasters will be influenced as well. Overall, I look forward to hearing what everyone one else has to say.

References

"Take Back The Tap: Protect America's Water." Food and Water Watch. http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/
water (accessed October 15, 2008).

Arthur, Kate. "Going Green: Simple hanges make vast improvements on the environment." Pantagragh.
http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2007/03/03/life/doc45e88d3b6780f818752697.prt (accessed
October 16, 2008).

"Green Basics." Treehugger. http://www.treehugger.com/green-basics/ (accessed October 14, 2008).

Greener Choices. http://www.greenerchoices.org/ (accessed October 16, 2008).

Green Peace. http://www.greenpeace.org (accessed October 14, 2008).

Make Green Choices.

I'm really excited about the podcast project. Since I have already done podcasts before, I learned that its a great way to appeal individuals and as a podcaster you find your own voice. As for my podcast, I plan on spreading out my topic and talking about how to make green choices. I want the listeners to understand the topic and what it is exactly. Not only are you keeping the environment safe but you are helping yourself as well as you family, neighborhood, animals, etc. I also want the listeners to become aware of how easy it is to change their lifestyles and habits with a few simple steps to benefit an eco friendly biome. More or less, I want to increase environmental awareness and motivate the audience to take part in environmental issues around the world.
In pertaining to the upcoming Multimodal Webtext, I'm not really sure of all the details yet. Maybe do something along the lines of friends of earth. Like intertwining ways everyone could lend a hand making the planet a better place for everyone. All I know, it's a good idea to include different ideas of expressing yourself because we all are different learners'. Make it knowledgeable yet amusing for everyone.

Unit 1 Reflection

For the Web text assignment, I decided to focus on the area I love the most. This was wildlife animals and the World Wildlife Foundation. I really enjoyed doing the web text and writing about something that had me written all over it. It was a project that made all of us unique and genuinely, every idea stood out on its own. It was mainly something I felt real passionate about. As for the Web text process itself, I found it to be rewarding learning something new and how to make something of my own creative. The purpose of my Web text was to speak out about how captivating the World Wildlife Foundation really is. This organization dedicates their time to help animals and speak out to people on why it is important to protect the planet. They not only stand for wildlife animals but have concerns about the environment. It’s beneficial to us for the reason it is the only thing we have left as well as the only thing we resort to for natural resources. I wanted the audience to understand how emotional the subject was and how important it is to conserve the natural environment. I wanted the readers to gain knowledge about this topic and maybe have a higher respect of what this organization does. They are giving the future generations something to look forward to. So in concept, I wanted everyone to enjoy what they were reading.
As for deciding the organization of the web text, I wanted my main points to go with the flow and be original. I wanted to flow away from the traditional introduction, body, and conclusion. So my points turned into getting to know who the World Wildlife Foundation was, what they do, who they help, where they strive, and how you can lend a helping hand. Honestly at the beginning of the assignment, I was very unsure about the fact of how to set up the web text and how to express myself through my own words. However, I was happy about how the organization turned out. More importantly, in constructing the design of the web text, I was going for something rustic yet earthy. Colors that symbolized my subject. I didn’t really want something busy and not readable. I wanted to catch the reader’s eye not turn it away. Most of all, it was satisfying on how crafty the photographs represented my words and the text. I believe it to be well put together and everything balanced out. I tried to explain in good means so the reader would have a good point of view and understanding. That is were my links came into a major role. Especially with the poaching idea upon pandas.
All-embracing, I was satisfied by the way the web text came out. Personally, I thought it would come down into shambles due to the fact I felt at times I didn‘t know what to do and was confused. I wish I had better experience with Dreamweaver and how to do more creative things with it. Though it is good to learn new things, I think I would have done better if it weren’t for Dreamweaver. For example, I tried adding music because I had the greatest song in mind but it just wouldn’t budge. If I had more knowledge, I would have added different multimedia to the web text since some are more visual learners. Never the less, I would have to say thanks to my resources and how amazingly informational they were. Each resource filled me with new knowledge about animals as well as the environment. Especially the panda site. In the end, I hope I interested some people and I look forward to learning from other people in the class.

Podcast Possibility.

As for the podcast project, I think I have a few ideas that come to mind. Those ideas consist of maybe talking about a specific kind of wildlife specie like either the giant panda or the pink dolphin. It would be really neat to base my podcast on a unique animal such as the pink dolphin and how some say the animal is rare yet soon to be extinct. I even wouldn't mind talking about global issues such as the going green trend or climate change. I'm really not even sure if I really want to stay on the topic of my Webtext subject, but if we have to then I would choose between one of those ideas. However, if we don't have to stay on the subject of our Webtext then I wouldn't mind talking about music, a t.v. show,a book, or a recent/upcoming movie.

How's the Webtext going?

Personally, I would have to see that so far this project is quite unique and creative on my part. It's going to have me written all over it. In developing my webtext, I found a couple of neat things that I think I'm going to use on my webtext. For instance, a WWF commercial, possibly a podcast, and some really ordinary photographs that will definately make you laugh yet look twice. Also it's amazing how many wildlife volunteer programs they have around the world.

As the webtext itself, it's so far, so good. My webtext is moving along slowly but surly. I think I know what I'm doing but I started having difficulties writing over the weekend! I just sometimes get confused on which way I wanted to write about my topic. More or less informational or personal experience. I thought I would use a little bit of both. However, then I felt it was to "all over the place." I pretty much have everything down on what I want to say and how I want to construct it. Though I have so many thoughts in my head that I can't put it into words!

Webtext Proposal.

This is Megan and Monday during class I never showed my powerpoint proposal. However, I planned on doing my webtext on the World Wildlife Foundation. Basically explaining brief history about the foundation, what they do, and how you can help or even get in involved!

Reaction to Webzine and Potential Interest.

In my group we discussed "Why Gen Y Is Going to Change the Web." Overall, I also thought it was the most interesting. It was really appealing how they talked about everything from how our generation has a short attention span from how one day we are going to be in the future needing help from the new generation in which we used to be. It was also interesting how it was stated that the digitial natives are so overly composed with Ipods, t.v., surfing the web, etc but we don't care what people think of us.
My possible potential interest for a Webzine would have to be something to do with the new trend of going green. Such as recycling, reducing, and reusing. It would be neat to talk about ecology, the conservation of the world, nature, and how to improve the environment overall. Maybe talking about harmful effects of pollution, talking about global warming, what companies are taking stand, and how you can help.

Possible website ideas:
http://www.thegreenguide.com/
www.thedailygreen.com/going-green