Thanks to resources such as weebly, creating a blog or website is incredibly easy nowadays. Just set up an account, start pressing the magic buttons ... and abracadabra, presto, shazam ... a proud blog owner I am ...
But that's where the easy part ends. Figuring out what you have to say, who you want to say it to and how to get their attention (and preferably keep it) is the hard part.
In that regard, creating a web-based resource is no different from more traditional forms. The 2.3 AECT standard defines computer based-technologies as the following: “Computer-based technologies are ways to produce or deliver materials using microprocessor-based resources” (Seels & Richey, 1994, p. 39). ...yawn... And the Oxford dictionary defines a book as: "a written or printed work consisting of pages glued or sewn together along one side and bound in covers." ...zzzzzzzz...
Wake up! We all know it's much more than that.
So I've decided to compile a list of five tips for myself (and anyone else who's interested) concerning how to make "a microprocessor-based" resource delivery service into something a little more appealing:
1. You talking to me? Knowing your audience is absolutely vital. Besides myself, my audience here is mainly professors who have to read dozens of these posts and fellow students who (let's face it) probably won't bother!
2. Dance like nobody's watching. It's rare to find a blog or website that is one-of-a-kind. But it's the genuine content you provide and the angle you take that can offer a unique experience setting you apart from the rest.
3. The seventies called - they want their shirt back! The reason why the saying "Don't judge a book by it's cover" exists is because we all do it. Every day. We have to. It's a time saving way of filtering and categorizing the insane amount of information we come across. And the internet is probably the gold medalist in information overload. To get people to pay attention to what's beyond the cover you have to give them a reason to believe it's worth their time. Image may not be everything - but it sets the tone and prepares your audience for your content.
4. One click, two click, more make me so sick. The structure of the website should be simple, organized and intuitive. In contrast to life, navigating through a website should be all destination and little journey.
5. Bling rhymes with ding-a-ling. Consider what every image, what every animation, what every accessory to your written content actually adds to your site. If it doesn't support your content - take it off Lady Gaga!
So there you go... creating quality websites and online resources isn't a bunch of hocus pocus after all. It's just common sense.
But that's where the easy part ends. Figuring out what you have to say, who you want to say it to and how to get their attention (and preferably keep it) is the hard part.
In that regard, creating a web-based resource is no different from more traditional forms. The 2.3 AECT standard defines computer based-technologies as the following: “Computer-based technologies are ways to produce or deliver materials using microprocessor-based resources” (Seels & Richey, 1994, p. 39). ...yawn... And the Oxford dictionary defines a book as: "a written or printed work consisting of pages glued or sewn together along one side and bound in covers." ...zzzzzzzz...
Wake up! We all know it's much more than that.
So I've decided to compile a list of five tips for myself (and anyone else who's interested) concerning how to make "a microprocessor-based" resource delivery service into something a little more appealing:
1. You talking to me? Knowing your audience is absolutely vital. Besides myself, my audience here is mainly professors who have to read dozens of these posts and fellow students who (let's face it) probably won't bother!
2. Dance like nobody's watching. It's rare to find a blog or website that is one-of-a-kind. But it's the genuine content you provide and the angle you take that can offer a unique experience setting you apart from the rest.
3. The seventies called - they want their shirt back! The reason why the saying "Don't judge a book by it's cover" exists is because we all do it. Every day. We have to. It's a time saving way of filtering and categorizing the insane amount of information we come across. And the internet is probably the gold medalist in information overload. To get people to pay attention to what's beyond the cover you have to give them a reason to believe it's worth their time. Image may not be everything - but it sets the tone and prepares your audience for your content.
4. One click, two click, more make me so sick. The structure of the website should be simple, organized and intuitive. In contrast to life, navigating through a website should be all destination and little journey.
5. Bling rhymes with ding-a-ling. Consider what every image, what every animation, what every accessory to your written content actually adds to your site. If it doesn't support your content - take it off Lady Gaga!
So there you go... creating quality websites and online resources isn't a bunch of hocus pocus after all. It's just common sense.