Final post

Wow, how time flies! It is hard to believe our last class is tonight. This is my very last class as an MAPC student, and I want to say I am very glad I chose this to be my last course. I say that because this course has enabled me to learn new software and technology that I otherwise would not have pursued. Instead of being relieved the orals and the project defense are over as my last reflection of the program, I have a new perspective on my objectives in my working environment here at Clemson.



1. What is the most significant thing that you've learned about digital publishing?



I think for me that it's that we should understand the "why" that is behind the choices that we make in design, so when we are at the point to truly understand our goals in a project, we are theoretically equipped to proceed. Also, it is not so much about what we want to produce (or produced) but why we made the decisions we made along the way. When developing a project we should always have a "because" to answer every "what."

Our audience should be the focus when we answer "because." If we have not taken the time to give the user what they need are we not simply trying to teach a body of information we want to publish? I think it is important for me to always keep in mind it is my responsibility as a digital publisher to provide information that the audience needs to know versus what I want to tell them in order for my publications to be successful.

2. What are the strengths of your project?

I believe the strenghts are the on-camera interviews with faculty members about proposal development. I feel that if faculty members are able to gather information from watching a short clip of their peers that have gone through the process, they may be more receptive to the information rather than reading it on-line. Hopefully this remediation of print to film will be a stepping stone to more interactive and collaborative forms of information that is disseminated about research.

3. What will you do with your new knowledge?

The possibilities are endless for the AAH Research website. I would like to continue to talk to the faculty members in the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities and listen to what they would like as far as information about research and proposal development. I also believe the possibilities are endless for me as a digital publisher. However, in order to provide cutting edge material, it is critical to stay current with new technology. Learning new software and technology enables an individual to own that knowledge. What I have learned in the few short weeks has prompted me to want to learn more about new technology and ways to apply it in my career. I look forward to what lies ahead of me, and what I am able to do with different applications.