Blog post for November 27th

BAD (AND I MEAN HORRIBLE) SITE
http://www.dokimos.org/ajff/

My computer is lucky to still be functioning. Thank you to the less-than-brilliant design of this webpage, it was all I could do to not throw my computer on the floor to stop the pain of this website. The background is visually assaultive, it has horrible digital music looping in the background, there are random graphics of animals moving all around the page, and I have no real idea what the point of the page is even after trying to examine the links without getting a splitting headache. While all of the links work, each page is filled with pointless graphics and animation. Navigating away from the main page was enjoyable only for the fact it eliminated the obnoxious main screen background and music. The only thing that would have made this page worse is if GWB's voice was looped in with the ear-splitting jamtrack that kept repeating over, and over, and over, and over...

GOOD SITE
http://www.expedia.com/
Expedia has immense amounts of traffic for a couple of reasons. First, it provides travelers with some pretty enticing deals when setting out to explore the world. Second, finding these deals is significantly more easy than finding someone to sit on your suitcase so you can zipper it shut, not wanting to leave that seventh pair of shorts home during your three-day trip. Expedia, funded by many corporate dollars to fuel their website, has clearly put themselves in the chair of their consumers. Categories are easy to identify, links are clearly labelled. Even when faced with a challenge in trying to find solutions to your travel woes, Expedia's site will suggest alternatives and additional options to help satisfy you on your visit to their site. The site can, at times, be a little bit busy with scrolling specials and locations luring you to tropical destinations or exotic adventures. But even the first time user should feel comfortable using Expedia to search for deals, with the main function of the page, "Build Your Trip", greeting every nomad crossing through.


Students creating digital writing for the first time could easily get caught up in all the bells and whistles of the newest programs and innovations. Wanting to use to many graphics, adding distracting animation, and uploading audio just for the sake of sound are common mistakes students will make. Irrelevant links and excessive text are also common errors associated with digital writing. While blogs leave you plenty of room to "journal", things like PowerPoint presentations and webpages are best presented with concise, easily categorized information. The best way to assist students in learning best-practices in relation to digital writing is to have them evaluate current pieces in existence and, most importantly, create their own. It is important to first gage your students' experience with different tools, such as wikis and podcasting. Despite the digital revolution constantly happening, many students have yet to experience some of the most exciting tools available. That being said, let your students explore these programs after a very basic tutorial. Have small groups create web pages, PowerPoint presentations, and the likes. When each project is completed, have the groups rotate around and review and critique each project, making suggestions and pointing out the things that work.