Evaluation of the course...

As the course has now come to an end, i can only reflect on how i have contributed to this course and project as well as how i have changed, if at all.

I have found many of the lessons useful such as, learning about picture copyrights, how company's such as Tesco use online websites efficiently with the aid of good layouts, use of relevant pictures and are easy to navigate. However, my most favourite moment of the course was doing my group wiki. At first i was very hesitant as i have not had much luck with previous group work and our first initial idea had been knocked. However, from our first meeting, i could tell that we would work well together.

I think our wiki, is very clear and easy to navigate. Though it is very plain (due to the white background), i think it looks very professional with out using too many colours which can be too busy and distracting! I like the butterflies, though it is very girly for our only boy member Jason =D and does not relate to the course, but it is nice to have an on-going theme. As the main tool bar stays at the top throughout the pages, the user can easily move from page to page without the need for scrolling down. We used lessons, to do the introduction and conclusion as well as getting feedback from other members of the group for our individual pages and to Nigels' HORROR, we actually did some work on paper!!!

I believe my blog, is very colourful, using images that go with the colour scheme. I have managed to do weekly blogs on how i got on in lesson and any other related ideas on Online community. I think the video i found on youtube.com is a good example to showcase that online community means different things to everybody.

I felt that i had tried my best efforts to be accepted in the Hollyoaks forum. Though i believe that a community cannot exist without interaction, which i found very problematic. Although i attempted to join a new forum (channel 4), which i was left disappointed about, i think i would have gained a better sense of a community and involvement.

Although this course has not changed my views on online community, it will definately make me think a lot more when i am on certain sites and forums. I have realised that although we believe to be in an online community, we do not have to face many consequences that we face in the real world. We can easily distance ourselves (and pull away), ignore messages, delete a profile and join another. For instance, the quick change of social spaces from Myspace to Facebook and now Twitter, means users are able to change their 'society'. If i had a chance to re-do the course, the only thing i would change is to have joined a better forum. However, due to there being a vast range of soap forums available, at first glance it is impossible to tell which site has a better sense of community. In conclusion i would definately say that i will NO LONGER continue to be a user of soapforum.com.

Dedicated fans....

I couldn't help but notice the dedication of some fans. Its bizarre, but they have taken time out to make little clippings that will go at the end of each of their posts. I found this one which i thought was sweet...though a lot of them are didication to Eastenders mother and daughter dilemma between 'Ronnie Mithchell' and 'Danielle'.

Coming to an END...

Gosh, i cant believe how quick the weeks have gone...deadlines are looming and as u can imagine everyone is stressed!!!! Im really happy with the progress the group has made, our wiki is lookin FAB i must say...just needs to be put together really, and tomorrow start to make the conclusion of our work...

I am halfway through writing my wiki page, its going slow but its coming along nicely. N the layout of my wiki is taking shape. I love my title as it goes with the theme of the groups page!!!! =D