Multimodality

After completing the readings for this week and reviewing the work I've done so far in the various class projects, I realized I have not been fully taking advantage of all of the various modes of communication available.  So far, I have mainly relied on the textual mode of communication, although I have included some visuals into my work, particularly my enthusiast blog, as well.  Still, I think I could include other modes, and more visuals, into my work in the future, especially seeing as both blogs and Wikitravel are very multimodal in nature, providing opportunities to include not only textual information but visual, audio, animation, and other modes of communication.  In my Wikitravel work especially, I have not used any modes besides textual, so I hope to change that.

What visuals and text I have included, specifically in my enthusiast blog, I feel work well with the overall feeling and meaning I hope to convey.  I tend to write a lot, so the visuals help to break up the text and also provide some color, which I think makes the whole thing feel more interesting.  I have tried to use the text to set a conversational, reflective, and slightly humorous tone.  For example, at one point in my post about how drama continues past high school, when describing the initial feeling of high school graduation I say: "You can breathe a little easier, knowing that your years of required schooling are done.  What you decide to do now, whether you decide to work, to go to college, or to spend time getting high in your parents' basement is completely up to you."  Not only do I directly address any readers, but I also include a bit of humor.

Overall, I think the ability to communicate through multiple modes is a strength.  The more modes one uses the easier it is for people of many different backgrounds, with different thoughts and ways of learning, to understand.  Multiple modes also makes things more interest.  If a blog was all text and no photos or other modes, for example, it would most likely get boring faster than if there were photos or other modes included.

Impacts of Info Ecologies on Info Architectures

Changes to information ecologies would naturally have an impact on information architectures, because the system and parts are connected.  Changes to the system impact how the information is presented, just as changes to how the information is present impact the system.  And who is able to contribute to the system and create understanding also changes how everything is organized.  Different people are able to provide different information, data, knowledge, and wisdom, for everyone has different experiences.  Wisdom is especially diverse depending on who is contributing, since it comes from within, and thus is different for everyone.  The types of information, data, knowledge, and wisdom determine how everything is organized.  For example, in Wikitravel, if no one contributed information about restaurants, it would not be necessary to have an "eat" section.  Since many people now rely on websites to gather information, data, etc., having many people from different backgrounds being able to contribute provides a greater chance of being able to find the information or data a person is looking for.


Electronically mediated writing environments like Wikitravel provide people with a greater amount of different information from many different sources which would otherwise not be as easily found in one place.  Therefore online writing, by making more information available and more easily accessed, and through organizing it in different ways, make it possible for people to understand information faster and more easily.  It also makes it easier for people of many different areas to collaborate, thereby making changes in the contexts outside of online easier.

Review

After reading both of my group members' descriptions and about me statements, I'm feeling like I might need to sit down and think about possibly changing some parts of mine.  One of my group members in particular really impressed me with both his description and his about me statement.  It was very creative, and especially in his about me statement, his personality really shined.  


Although I feel that my description is pretty strong, I do think I could tweak it a bit to make it less vague.  One of my group members suggested I make the reference to history stronger, but that's actually one of the parts I like most about my description: it includes both of my majors and relates them to what I'm talking about in my blog.  


My about me statement, however, definitely needs some work.  The same group member pointed out that the first half is a little weak, and I can see the truth in that.  I'd like to change it a little by including more unconventional or quirky facts about me, as suggested, in order to include more of my personality and make it more creative and appealing.  I think the second half I will probably leave as is, however.  

Brainstorming

I've starting trying to come up with topics to talk about in my enthusiast blog, just so I have some plan.  I figured I'd list them here.  So far I have the following:

• Finding out who your true friends are
• High school drama never ends
• Learning to depend on others/accept help
• Change isn't always bad
• Dealing with stress
• Living in a dorm/sharing space
• Finding confidence

Drafting a Description

If I thought finding a successful blog about the college experience with a profile or "about the author" statement was difficult, it was even more difficult to find one with a description.  In fact, I wasn't able to find a true, full-fledged description.  Of the very limited descriptions I was able to find, this one was my favorite.  Why you might ask?  It was simple, creative, related well to the title of the blog, and left me interested to read more.


Now, for drafting...


Whoever said college is a journey was right.  It is a journey- a journey of self-discovery.  In college, you learn more than about how humans evolved or why the Roman empire fell.  You learn about yourself: who you are, who you were, and who you will become.  This blog is a place for me to reflect on what I've learned in college so far.  Hopefully through reading about my experiences, you will be able to better appreciate your own and to learn how to look inside yourself as I have.  So come with me, and let the journey begin...

Drafting a Profile

It was surprisingly difficult to find good blogs about the college experience with an "about the author" blurb or profile.  When all was said and done, I managed to find about three total, and of those, this one was my favorite.    It's simple yet has just enough description, makes readers feel as though they've just been actually introduced to the author, captures interest by addressing readers directly, and leaves readers wanting to see more.  


Now, it's drafting time...


I'm a sophomore at the University of Rhode Island majoring in History and Anthropology with a possible minor in Art History. I'm not the typical college student. I'm not into wild parties; I don't enjoy getting drunk or high. Still, that doesn't mean I don't have fun and enjoy life. It's just the small things in life- walking on the beach with my boyfriend, feeling the sun in my hair, hearing leaves crunch under my feet, sharing a laugh with friends- that bring me the most happiness. My goal in life is to always find at least one good thing about each day, because I appreciate the fact that we have only one life to live, and I'm determined to live my life to the fullest.  College has only helped to strengthen this goal, and since starting the journey I've discovered that with each day that passes and every new experience I learn a little more about myself and just what I'm capable of.  Read on to hear about my journey and see just what I've learned and maybe you'll learn something too...

Enthusiast Blog Goals

When I initially chose the topic for my enthusiast blog, it was difficult for me to decide what to focus on.  I knew I needed to choose a topic that would continue to interest me for the entire semester, as well as a topic on which I would be able to find enough to write about.  I also knew that it would be easier for me to blog about a topic that I had firsthand experience in.  So, what better to write about than my college experience?  Still, while I want to be able to reflect on my experience, I also want to make the topic relatable, and perhaps help others in some way.  While there are plenty of college students, each experience is different, so I had to think about how I could make my blog of interest to not only myself.  I decided, therefore, to specifically write about what I've learned from my experience, and maybe that way others in college will not only gain a greater appreciation for their own experiences but also realize that the college experience is not just about partying or simple academic learning- it can also help you learn more about yourself. Thus, "A Journey Inward" was born. 


With all this in mind, the audience for my blog is mainly college students, or perhaps anyone who has had or is interested in a college experience.  To make my blog successful, I need to make what I've learned relatable to others, or at least interesting, and appeal to readers' desire to learn and appreciate their lives and experiences.  The stance is going to be relaxed.  I want readers to be able to get a sense of my personality and for the writing to be informative but still engaging, meaning that as far as tone goes, while I do think the majority will lean more towards being serious, I would like to make it as witty and playful as possible in order to keep readers interested.  

Successful Blog Examples

Upon checking out "The Future", "Through a Gypsies Eye", and "Stitched Personae", three successful former enthusiast blogs, it was clear each had its own strengths and weaknesses.


The first thing that struck me about "The Future" was how dark everything looks, with the black background, and the contrast between that and the bright text.  I was fully expecting to read a blog about astronomy...but I guess it could fit a blog about technology.  The picture in the header is nice, although I would've liked to have seen some more color or pictures to brighten things up and make it feel a little more welcoming.  Other than that though, I have no complaints.  The blog posts themselves are informative, interesting, and easy to read.  I felt like I was having a conversation with the writer.  The language is simple, yet descriptive, and you can feel his enthusiasm for the subject.  That enthusiasm and simple yet descriptive language continues throughout the description and the profile.  The description gives just enough detail to capture potential readers' interests and let them know what he'll be blogging about.  As for the profile, I thought it was brilliant.  There is just enough information about him and his interest in technology, and it has a nice personal touch to it.


"Stitched Personae" didn't capture my interest as much as "The Future", but it was not because the blog is poorly executed.  I'm simply less interested in cosplay than I am in technology.  That being said, this blog does achieve something the former didn't: a welcoming, light, fun feeling right at the outset.  The color scheme is nice yet simple.  I liked how she includes photos as well in some of her posts.  And just as the posts of "The Future", the posts here are easy to read and conversational.  Despite my lack of interest, I appreciated being able to recognize her passion for the subject, both in her posts and her description and profile.  Speaking of her description and profile, both are well done.  The description is maybe a little longer and wordier than I would have preferred, but it is interesting and explains the subject of the blog well.  As for the profile, it like that of "The Future" has a personal touch.  It explains just enough about her and gives just enough detail about her subject.  I especially liked how she makes it possible for those who are unfamiliar with cosplay to understand what exactly it is.


Finally, there was "Through a Gypsies Eye".  Of the three, I have to say this blog was my least favorite, as far as overall impression goes.  While I love traveling and so found the topic interesting, the posts were not as easy for me to read as those of the other two blogs.  I appreciated the detail and the tone is conversational, but I found the writing itself to be a little more choppy.  It might just be a personal preference.  However, the photos are nice, and it feels welcoming and light, just like "Stitched Personae", with its nice, bright background and simple layout.  As for the description and profile, I found them to be good, though they did not appeal to me as much as the others.  The profile has a nice personal touch like the others, though I felt like it does not flow as well.  The description is better, and it does capture potential readers' interests right away by asking questions and drawing them into the subject, yet I think I would've liked a little more detail...maybe like a snapshot of where she traveled or plans to travel?  It just felt as though it is missing something.


Overall, I feel as though "The Future" has the strongest profile and description.  They are both simple yet descriptive, giving just enough detail in just the right amount of words.  Further, the profile has a great personal touch.  I hope to be able to accomplish something similar in my own profile and description.  I would like to capture readers' interests and come across as easygoing and personable- someone they can have a conversation with and relate to.