This e-assignment has provoked a number of unexpected findings.These findings have emerged during its composition. The main points of interest for the writer are related to formatting, editing, and proofreading. The html files must be saved as often as the writer saves his/her work using Microsoft Word. Any involuntary disconnection from the ISP always involves some loss of work. The shifting, copying, cutting, and pasting of text is less versatile using this "Geocities Pagebuilder" at least. There is no dictionary or thesaurus available. The loss is considerable given the versatility, power, and speed of the thesaurus. Perhaps an easier and better method involves the preparation of webpages with a word processor and then uploading the whole pages to the server for publication.
On the plus side, html files can be saved onto a floppy disk which is comforting news for the writer who is at all times vulnerable to the vagaries of the Geocities server. Another bonus is the exponential growth of information available to the writer self and a worldwide audience. The website becomes a permanent place to store, create, collect, and view your data any computer in the world. Using hypertext markup language (html), pages can be linked to other pages on this writer's and anyone else's website. Here for instance is a WebQuest to help ESL students understand newspapers. In addition, writers can use the 'mouse over' function (put mouse over worm for a demonstration). This again is another "layer" of text which offers some fascinating possibilities for university courses..
For the reader of an electronic assignment new formats will have to be arranged. Complications arise because of the inability to make comments. Forms can be positioned conveniently on each page for the reader's comments.
Double spacing is possible and would be an improvement but there is a peripheral vision problem when writers fill up the entire monitor with text. Computers are still not user friendly, causing neck pain and eye strain during long periods of study.
These problems can be overcome quite easily providing enormous benefits to students living in isolated areas, students living in other countries, and the many people who would like to study or gain access to the information superhighway but cannot see, move, leave the family, and one of a dozen other reasons.
Pressing F11 on your keyboard should maximise your monitor screen. Thank you. |
