A Mind Map for Web Writing

Articles published on the web have some common characteristics with articles published in print. However, important differences do exist.

As we encourage folks--students and teachers--to write blogs and share tweets I think we should also help them use the common features and those characteristics which differ to enhance their messages.

I am preparing a blog post about web writing. One of the early steps in the process is to organize my thoughts about the process of web writing.

One of my favorite tools for visually planning projects is Inspiration software. So, this week, I am publishing my first draft of a visual mind map for sharing ideas about web writing.

Next week I will share more about web writing.

Web Writing / Jo Schiffbauer / CC BY 2.0

Proofread Like an Expert

Teacher, student, business professional, organizer... whatever our jobs or our goals are... we have messages to communicate. And whatever our messages are we want our audiences to understand those messages and to implement them.


Our first attempt to communicate a message works... sometimes... but not always. ("Dad, no one else has to be home by 11:00!")

Proofreading / Pixabay / CC0 1.0

A second look at our message may expose errors we did not notice the first time we reviewed our document. That additional examination can make the difference between whether or not our message is implemented.



It is a good idea to review your document before you proofread it. Here's a short list of some ideas you may want to consider before you proofread.

• Do not proofread as soon as you have finished writing your document. Wait a while... perhaps an hour or a day or two.
• Is the title accurate, short, and interesting to the intended audience?
• Does the overall organization of the content convey your message?
• Does the research support the message?
• Does your document follow the rules of a specific formatting style (e.g., APA, MLA, Turabian, Chicago) you are required to use?

When you do proofread the document you may want to think about the following ideas.

• Some people proofread better from a printed page; others, from a screen. You should try both to see which one works better for you.
• Read out loud.
• Cover the lines below the one you're reading.
• Search for common errors. (When I first began to use only one space after a sentence rather than two I would always do a search for two adjacent spaces to make sure I hadn't accidentally fallen into my old habit.)
• Check separately for different types of errors. (I search for spelling errors first. Then for passive voice (one of my personal habits that I'm trying to break). Following that I check that links are working.)
• Use the spelling / grammar checking function that your word processor provides to correct mechanical errors (spelling, word usage, grammar, punctuation). Remember that spell-checking functions are not foolproof.

DigitalChalk.com has published a two-part series of articles about proofreading. The first article discusses tips for proofreading. You will probably recognize most of them.

• Read aloud.
• Know your weaknesses.
• Don't rely on spell check.
• Read and reread.
• Don't procrastinate.
• Follow a checklist.

The second article in the series suggests items that might be on your proofreading checklist. All the suggestions are good, but I particularly like these that I think we sometimes forget:

• Do all the images and graphics make sense?
• Is everything styled consistently?
• Is the tone consistent?
• Do all your links work?

Do you have other techniques that you use when you proofread? How do you teach your students to proofread?


Resources

The Importance of Proofreading
http://www.papercheck.com/proofreading.html


The Writer's Handbook: How to Proofread
Proofreading
https://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/Proofreading.html


Part 1: Proofread and Edit Your Course Like a Pro
http://www.digitalchalk.com/blog/part-1-proofread-edit-course-like-pro
by Sarah Bright
http://www.digitalchalk.com/blog/author/sarahelizabeth


Part 2: Your Essential Proofreading Checklist
http://www.digitalchalk.com/blog/part-2-essential-proofreading-checklist
by Sarah Bright
http://www.digitalchalk.com/blog/author/sarahelizabeth

Classroom Communication

Note: I missed writing a post last week due to the flu... and this week I'm just sharing some ideas rather than a full post due to a head cold. Ugh!





A company, Smartling, has asked several bloggers to create posts on their blogs about the different types of communication they use in their classrooms. The Smartling representative shares that the company is putting together a project about classroom communication. [Note: Smartling is a company that translates websites. For more information see http://www.smartling.com/use-cases/translate-websites/ where they provide a tour.]
 
Hmm… Are we talking about communication with each other as we are learning in my classroom? Or communication between my students and those with whom they work after they leave my classroom?

Communication is the Key / Sebastien Wiertz / CC BY 2.0

Tonight’s blog post is not an exposition of communication as my students and I use it, but rather an exploration of types of communication. Within the classroom and outside it.

_______________

http://brown.edu/about/administration/sheridan-center/teaching-learning/effective-classroom-practices/classroom-communication/tips
Classroom Communication Tips
The Sheridan Center for Teaching and Learning
This article provides many items that I added to my list of ways to communicate. (See below.)

http://www.helpguide.org/articles/relationships/effective-communication.htm
Effective Communication
HelpGuide.org
Effective communication skills are listed and explained. The #1 skill described is LISTENING. I agree!

_______________

Here's my list at this point. What would you add?

 
Verbal 

• Discussions in class, before and after class
• Meetings outside class
• Phone
• Projection of voice
• Repetition
• Speed and volume of voice

Non-verbal

• Eye contact
• Movement
• Passion and excitement
• Proximity
• Smiling and other facial expressions

Student observation

• Body language
• Feedback from students

Electronic, including social media

• Blogs
• Email
• Surveys
• Texts
• Twitter
• Websites
• Wikis

Software 

• Mind maps (and other similar configurations)
• Outlines
• Photos
• Podcasts and audio clips
• Portfolios
• Slide presentations
• Timelines
• Videos... including animations and screencasts

Hardware and other material items

• Artifacts
• Boards... chalkboard, dry/erase board, SMART board (and other brands)
• Handouts