Number 23 Plus One ("Thing" Number 24)

I'm working on my 23 Things plus one activity (activity #24). I created a learning activity that exposes individuals to the RightNow technology that we use at my job for our online answering system. I work at USF and "RightNow" is the technology that we use to answer prospective student questions. It was kind of neat being on the teacher side of things. It was also helpful to force myself too communicate in a way that was clear for users to understand.

I asked my mom to complete the learning activity that I created.

My mom's comments were:

"These are good questions for students to know. If the person needs to know a specific answer they can go directly to the question and there's the answer.

Then you just click on ask a question and get to ask a question very easily."

Reflections on Web Design Module

My reflections on the Web Design Module are as follows:

I used SeaMonkey software for my webdesign project. It is a very basic software that does the basics (links to files, lists text, etc.). Since the general public is so used to seeing more extensive websites, I do look forward to learning how to use more extensive software (such as possibly DreamWeaver) to create more customized sites.

I chose not to put a picture on the face of the site because I don't think you're supposed to really have a picture with something that is used as a supplement to your professional resume? I think that's the general rule but I could be wrong.

I had a little bit of difficulty getting the tables on SeaMonkey to appear as I wanted them to and the spacing and tabs seemed to be a little off.

I am happy that my site looks great on Mozilla Firefox but, unfortunately, it does not appear correct at all on Internet Explorer. My solution to this, at my current skill level, is to request that users only try viewing the site on Mozilla Firefox.

Nevertheless, creating the site was a good learning experience and I have already begun using it in my work and professional life.

Reflections on Podcast Module

My reflections on the podcast module are that I really like the Audacity Software and the ability to record podcasts. I created a podcast for my professional portfolio and it really makes things more personal rather than just reading text. One thing I noticed is that you really have to make sure and not talk to close to the microphone as it creates a "blasting" sound when you play back the recording.

It is really good to have free software for technology such as this so that a person's potential is not limited by their financial ability to purchase for-profit software.

Reflections on Publications Module

I have now completed the Publications module. My reflections on this are that Microsoft Publisher is much easier than Photoshop!

I had worked with Photoshop and other Adobe products before but was already apprehensive about producing documents because I always seemed to forget the rules about layering, etc.

I like Microsoft Publisher much better and now feel comfortable about using it in the future.