Online Publishing Final

· Where do you and your research, professional, teaching interests fit it? What’s the impact of Web 2.0, online publishing on you?

Although I am not a Technical Communication student, I am neither strictly a literature student. As I have not ever planned on staying in academia, my intent when choosing classes for my M.A. was to take courses that would not only give me knowledge regarding works of literature but also skills that would prepare me for a career in editing. As a result, I have taken a broad array of classes, but this semester is my first to take Technical Communication classes. This semester has certainly been useful in giving me extremely useful skills insofar as preparing me for a real world career goes.

Considering my lack of a defined concentration in my M.A., my research interests do not directly relate to literature. Instead, my research interests tend to gravitate toward how to effectively communicate and instruct others (as can be seen through the subject matter of most of the projects completed for this course). Online Publishing has allowed me to better recognize my interests in this area. I have been tutoring ESL students for over two years and teaching Freshman Composition in the classroom for one, but I never realized the appeal actual instruction had until I created the podcast and interactive module. It is not only the human interaction that I enjoy but also the overall effect of instruction.

Regarding my teaching interests, as stated above, I am less interested in teaching from a classroom setting as I am in the actual aspect of instruction. This course has been invaluable in giving me the capability to create deliverables that can be used for instruction. Truly the idea of creating a podcast or module for the sake of teaching never occurred to me. After this course, however, I am really surprised that more pieces such as these are not taken advantage of. As much as we are about to encounter Web 3.0, though, I think that Web 2.0 is still yet to be fully embraced. I have been in an academic setting for the past several years of my life and although I am aware and have been aware of the types of articles available through Web 2.0, such as podcasts, blogs, and modules, to name a few, I have not been an active user of them. The Web, to me, is still something that I go to and not the other way around.

However, after taking this class and seen the ease with which Web 2.0 is used, I think that it ought to be taken advantage of outside of strictly the Technical Communication Department. I do not plan on remaining an instructor on a permanent basis, but for as long as I am (which might or might not be another year), I will certainly take advantage of the lessons of the course regarding the functionality and usefulness of the pushing of web products. Even doing something as simple as requiring students to maintain a class blog will take advantage of Web 2.0 in that it will keep students writing as well as make clear to them that writing is often a public act. The idea of having a class wiki is also an area I might explore further as it will certainly be an exchange of knowledge.

Professionally, it is my ultimate goal to become an editor. I have done work reviewing textbook proposals, and this area seems most appealing as it combines my interest in instruction with my acclimation toward technical correctness. The activities completed in the course and lessons regarding Web 2.0 are useful in that editing is becoming more and more an act that is not done in person but is instead done via an exchange through the Web. Knowing how to create functional pieces and put them onto the Web will speak to my capability as an editor. Editing is more than grammar and content; an effective and hirable editor must demonstrate an up-to-date knowledge of anything regarding an exchange of ideas. I need to be familiar with the tricks of the all kinds of mediums because it affects the style of communication and the way clients manipulate information. Thus, this course has been undoubtedly useful in acquainting me with varying styles through aspects on Web 2.0.

Overall, this course has been useful on multiple levels. Whether I continue teaching or not, the ability to instruct via Web 2.0 will not be lost on me.