What does this outcome mean? How is it related to what we've read and done in class so far (or in other classes / contexts from your life)? 

Organizational design is how we convey a specific set of information.  Organizational design needs proper research to create the structure of the final product.   It is necessary to help the audience follow what is being shown through clear organization.  How the design is put together creates the outcome of the product. 

Throughout the first few weeks of the semester, we learned how to use organizational design to help us with our first project and the framework of our portfolio.  The research I needed for my first project was related to the video composition.  It might sound weird but I had no idea on how to create a YouTube video.  I had to research the subject and follow instructions that were listed.  I sometimes needed to read the instructions twice.  I learned a lot.  I learned that the step-by-step process must be organized in a clear and concise way.  Without clarity the recipient is lost.  Without research and understanding of the final product is lost.  Therefore, organizational design is the basis of our research and how we create instructions for the audience. 

Our second project consisted of a formal complaint and response letter with a social media component.  We first needed to research the subject using primary and secondary sources.  We were given a few specific issues we could use for our project or we could choose one we already knew.   We needed to produce fact-based documents susceptible to public scrutiny. 

Project 3 was a new proposal to UNM or a local entity in New Mexico regarding community needs.  Once again, we were tasked with a research-based document that prompted us to research specific issues that need to be error free.   

Outcome Reflection - Written Communication

What does this outcome mean? How is it related to what we've read and done in class so far (or in other classes / contexts from your life)? 

Written communication is how we communicate our research and knowledge.  The style of written communications is determined by the outcome we desire. As a class we have written replies to our fellow classmates on their first project.  This reason alone is important because we are helping each other.  If we are unable to write our ideas properly in our replies to our classmates, they are the ones who suffer. 

In Project 1 we were tasked with creating an instructional video five minutes in length.  It needed to be a task that could be easily followed.  While a video might not contain a lot of actual writing, the writing that was present needed to be error free. 

Project 2 was a formal complaint and response letter of factual circumstances to a public entity.  It needed to be error free due to the parties involved. I also created a series if Instagram posts with the objective of the both sides of the topic with the understanding that the posts and letters would be viewed by many people.

Our third project was a written proposal with a video presentation.  We needed to create something that addressed a specific problem and create a solution.  Our solution was to be viewed publicly and therefore needed to be error free.

In my work life I have to write instructions and explain information on a daily basis.  If I make grammatical mistakes or spelling errors my peers and subordinates do not take me seriously and I lose the respect of my boss. Throughout my professional career I have learned how to teach people proper written communication when dealing with customers and vendors.  It could be an email requesting money from a customer that has not paid an overdue bill.  If I do not organize the email correctly it could mean we do not get paid.  The desired outcome of proper written communication in my daily work life is to create a professional relationship with someone or a group of people. 

Outcome Reflection - Visual Communication 

What does this outcome mean? How is it related to what we've read and done in class so far (or in other classes / contexts from your life)? 

Visual communication an important way we explain the information.  If someone is using visual communication properly, they are able to show the viewer certain information, and instruction.  As with written communication, visual communication needs to be without errors.   Visual communication is often composed of graphs and charts the display important information. 

I learned in our first project that I needed some visual design in the form of text in my instructional video.  As I’m revising my instructional video, I have the understanding that if I make a mistake someone might not be able to create the finished product I am trying to teach.  If I accidentally show three cups of sugar and two cups of flour as opposed to the correct 2 cups sugar and 3 cups flour the bread will not have the proper consistency. Or, if I list the steps in the wrong order the bread might not mix properly.  I also have to follow these same tactics in my professional career.  If I list the wrong expense on the financial statement my boss and board of directors will make the wrong decision.   

In the second project we wrote complaint and response letters that needed to be precise with their presentation because they contained a series of public Instagram posts. My project was about the controversial view of the University of New Mexico seal.  I had to present complaints as official documents.

Our third project was to create a video presentation addressing a public problem in the UNM community or locally in New Mexico.  We were required to create a solution to the problem in the form of an official multimodal proposal and video presentation.

Outcome Reflection - Project Planning

What does this outcome mean? How is it related to what we've read and done in class so far (or in other classes / contexts from your life)? 

Project planning is the planning and research involved to create technical documents.  There are various ways the planning stage can evolve.  Research is necessary to help define the subject and help compose the document.  I needed to use strong research skills to understand my project two topic regarding the UNM seal. I used various techniques to help with my research including talking to family members and friends that attended UNM.  This included reading about the origins of the University of New Mexico seal and its origins.  I also researched formal letter styles and formats.  Once my research was complete, I was able to write my letters to and from the University of New Mexico using the information I had gathered.  Proper planning and research helped me execute my plan.  I have also used project planning in my professional career by researching a topic that is relative to a current topic I am working and creating documents for others to follow. 

In Project 1 we were required to create an instructional video.  This video needed a step-by-step process that was easy to follow.  My instructional video needed to be precises relative to the process since it was a food recipe about how to make zucchini bread. 

Project 3 was a proposal and presentation for a local initiative at UNM or in New Mexico.  We were required to create a technical document in the form of a written proposal which contained graphs and charts to help make a technical document.  I had to form a presentation with a clear goal that could be achieved through a well-presented set of initiatives. 

Outcome Reflection - Project Analysis

What does this outcome mean? How is it related to what we've read and done in class so far (or in other classes / contexts from your life)? 

Project analysis is identifying the documents reader and context relative to how we compose documents for a specific audience.  It is also understanding how technical documents occupy and respond the current subject.  These documents are created for specific global, diverse, and multicultural situation. My project analysis included review of my letters to and from the University of New Mexico.  I needed to evaluate if my letter to the University of New Mexico was aligned with the proper facts of the situation.  I needed to not only understand how concerns were raised by the why there were concerns. Why were they complaining about the University of New Mexico seal?  What were their motives?  I also needed to know who was involved in the process.  The same was true with my letter from the University of New Mexico to the concerned parties.  I needed to understand how UNM would respond knowing the intended parties.  Once my analysis was complete, I was able to revise my documents. 

In Project 1 we identified our audience and created a set of easy-to-follow instructions.  We needed to have knowledge of the subject and process to create a technical video. We needed to analyze the end result and how we wanted it to be viewed by the audience.    

Project 3 was a proposal and accompanying presentation.  I created a written document and video to help simulate a real-life situation.   The proposal was intended to revitalize Route 66 in Albuquerque. NM.  I had to adhere to the context of the proposal and presentation. 

Outcome Reflection - Content Development

What does this outcome mean? How is it related to what we've read and done in class so far (or in other classes / contexts from your life)? 

Content development is the understanding of how structure guides the document.  The structure is how the document is created to meet the expectations of the reader or viewer.  Understanding what the recipient needs helps meet the specific expectations through proper development.  For my first video project I needed to understand who was going to be watching my video.  How was I going to create a video that was interesting to people of all ages and abilities.  Young people that had never baked before and the experienced chef.  My content needed to be interesting to everyone.  I was able to develop something that was engaging and fun. 

The content for my second project which was a complaint letter to and from the University of New Mexico had a different structure and development.  I understood that the audience was more specific than in my first project.  The letters were more professional in nature as a direct result of the audience. 

My third project was a specific genre in the form of a proposal and presentation to the City of Albuquerque.  My format needed to include the what and the who in the discussion.  I strategically created a PowerPoint proposal and YouTube video with content for the intended audience. 

Outcome Reflection - Reviewing and Editing

What does this outcome mean? How is it related to what we've read and done in class so far (or in other classes / contexts from your life)? 

Reviewing and editing is a fundamental process of creating data driven presentations and content.  It entails creating drafts and analyzing the drafts to create a final product.  I needed to go through multiple revisions to create a functional and purposeful presentation.  It took many drafts to help me create a final product.  The editing function was tedious because I needed to understand how the grammar was flowing and make sure my punctuation was correct.  It was the reviewing and editing process that helped me create an easy-to-read presentation for the City of Albuquerque City Council. 

My first project received the most reviewing and editing.  It was my first instructional video and needed to be accurate.  I showed people how to make zucchini bread.  I made about 50 videos until I was able to get all the key tools and ingredients included in the video. 

Project 2 was a memo document which entailed a complaint / response letter.  I created multiple drafts and reread the content often.  I always use the spell and grammar check function.  I also read the document aloud which helped with the flow of the documents. 

In my professional life I need to edit documents daily.  I supervise four people and we interact with customers daily via email.  It is within these emails that lies technical data that needs to be correct and precise.  If we miss an opportunity to collect money due to an inaccurate statistic the whole company realizes this mistake.  I routinely review and edit my team’s emails to customers, vendors and our corporate suite of managers.  It is this real-life scenario that I use review and editing.  It goes beyond the class and grades. 

Outcome Reflection - Content Management

What does this outcome mean? How is it related to what we've read and done in class so far (or in other classes / contexts from your life)? 

Content management is the organization and use of use of complex information.  How we format and display the information we have researched.  I have had to manage the content of my new website on a weekly and sometimes daily routine.  If I realize that something is not correct or the content doesn’t make sense, I will update it to a more organized and efficient way.  It was with Project 3 that I gained a lot of knowledge on how to manage my website content.  During the project I found myself going back to my past two projects and analyzing how I used my information.  I was asking for $1.1MM dollars and had to manage the content of the proposal and presentation in a professional manner due to the size and scope of the ask to the City of Albuquerque.  I content needed to grab the attention of the audience. 

My instructional video for Project 1 had to be organized and functional.  I couldn’t present the final step first.  I had to manage my content in a way to create a process that was easy to follow. 

Lastly, Project 2 needed a design that both audiences could understand since it was a complaint and response letter. I needed to have knowledge of the subject to create appropriate content for the intended audience in the form of official letters.  The information needed to be structured and informative. 

In my professional life I manage content within our spreadsheets that help with efficiency withing the company.  If we have a way to save time that means we can save money.  I also work with flow charts that help with efficiency.  The review of content management in this English class has been a helpful review of the tools that I have and have been able to carry over into my professional life. 

Outcome Reflection - Production and Delivery

What does this outcome mean? How is it related to what we've read and done in class so far (or in other classes / contexts from your life)? 

Production and delivery are ways of presenting information in a variety of modes and delivered in various channels.  For Project 3 we were tasked with creating a document and proposal trying to convince an entity to participate in our proposal.  I needed to produce a final document that was thorough.  The optics of the document had to be enticing and factual at the same time.  Since the document needed to be fact based, I needed to deliver the facts without emotion or hearsay.  The production of a power point presentation with audio was the second part of Project 3.  The media I used was YouTube.  I had some difficulties converting my power point presentation into a video.  The delivery portion of my video presentation was not working as intended.  My production came to a standstill.  However, I was able to do some research that I learned from a prior SLO and get through the production slow down. 

In Project 2 I created a complaint and reply letter to the University of New Mexico regarding a multi ethnic audience.  We needed to show a company their mistakes in well thought through letters.  Project 2 also needed to contain an official letter reply from the organization. 

I feel Project 1 entailed the most aspects of production and delivery out of all my projects. I had to learn how to create a video without any prior knowledge on the subject and then develop confidence in my video presentation.  I needed to speak without a script to an audience wanting to lean a specific process for how to make zucchini bread.  The delivery had to be exact and delivered with conviction. 

Without the proper production and delivery, the project is not complete and all the efforts put forth in prior steps are lost. Production and delivery are the final steps for a successful genre.