Evaluation

So, FINALLY we are finishing this school year and therefore we are finishing this unit in Technology class. Just to mention, this is our last MYP Technology unit; but I did not expect myself to hate it much. At every stage of Design Cycle, I encountered different problems along with failures. Overall, I guess, it is predictable to say that I did not enjoy this unit as much as other people might have enjoyed it. I think, this is the unit, I hated through out all of my MYP Technology courses.

Criterion A - Investigation

So, we were assigned to do a lot of research. Then we also had to attend online courses. Although we all were in one room sitting next to each other, we should have pretended like we do not know each other and communicate via the online classes. That online course idea was interesting for me but I did not achieve it successfully. I wasted a lot of time because I was goofing around, doing something else. I was not using my time wisely, which was 100% my fault. This made me realize how immature am I and how I get distracted very easily. Then the research was pretty annoying. Our assignments were attached to the online class board, which made me confused for few classes to figure out how to find them. About the research, I was very unhappy. The questions, which had to be answered were very easy. However, the reading part was just impossible to read all of them. I hated reading them because 1. THEY WERE REALLY LONG. 2. The vocabulary words were very difficult to understand.
So, due to such conflicts, I did start the whole project from a negative perspective. I was not looking forward working on Design not Create. I think, in order to improve, I have to start something really interesting about creating website that it will motivate me towards working on the research. Typically, I hate reading theories and etc; but I do read them when I am looking at something bigger/more interesting.
Perhaps, next year's tenth graders' investigation for this unit should be really basic. Maybe just give away valid and short articles about the basics of website creation first. They can read in class, all together, meaning a step into investigation altogether.

Criterion B - Design

For Design, of this unit, it did not take a long time. It really was easy to achieve. We were just asked to come up with three different topics of our website and give further information about those. For me, personally, it was really easy to do. It is because I had several different kinds of ideas in my mind anyways; so I just had to reflect them on my blog. I wanted to create a website for my UB's BEST 20 (product of my Personal Project). ISU STUDENT COUNCIL website, or a website with advises on how to wear shoes (which shoes on what, which color should I pick for my shoe and etc.) I did talk about three of them in details. Then I chose the one with the most close identification compared to the design specification I have created for myself in the investigation. I do not believe any improvements are required. Plus, I also drew a small image of how I want my website to look like. (First I desired to create a website with similar images to the actual guidebook appearance. Then I realised, as simple as the website is, the convenient is for the users.)

Criterion C - Plan

Creating a plan is always not a pain; however for this unit, I had some issues. I came to school late and therefore I was busy (extremely busy) catching up with what my classmates have been working on whilst I was in Seoul. Well, it was not an easy task to do. NOR ENJOYABLE. Planing for this unit was actually really late. I was already working on create when I made the plan. Basically, meaning I never used my plan. This is a induction. I was working but I came up with the plan later. Again, it was my bad. I should have helped her carry those luggages. I did include five different areas in my plan: Steps, time, material, resources, changes. For my, creating the plan was a pain. It did take quiet a time because my plan was just completely different from other peoples'. So, a great improvement for me to adjust my plan into a better one is actually know the steps. It is because I thought I will take 2 classes to create one of the 3 main pages, but it indeed took me like 6 classes. This happened especially when I had no idea about how to use Coffee cup program.

This is tightly related to the investigation process. If I was aware that I would be using coffee cup program, I sould have searched on internet or ask people,who are familiar about this website. So, another improvement would be having a solid investigation and also listing the steps basing on my knowledge not just repeating what the teacher wants. If I really knew or predicted that I will take a longer time meaning more time would be spent; I would manage my time wisely so that I will finish it along with everybody else in my group.

(Truely, Mrs. Wilson should not have given my extra time; it is not really fair for other students. I was the one, who had issues and that is why I could not come to school. So basing on such arguments, it was most likely I was expected to finish it at the same time, when my friends finished their website. However, I did get a chance of one more week to work on it.)

Criterion D - Create

THIS IS THE WORST NIGHTMARE! I had never ever expected criterion D to be annoying for me. I felt like my personal project was a much easier task than this. I failed couple of times, I had hundreds and hundreds of questions to ask. I was ready to give up!!!

Create section was all about creating the website design, I have chosen. I chose the UB's BEST 20 website with main three pages. It was very simple but the process was not as smooth as I thought it would be.

First, when i started on Coffee cup straight away, I understood that I needed some help. So I was seeking help from other students but none would want to help me. It was not their fault, everyone was busy working/rushing through their website. So AFTER TWO classes, I asked Mrs. Wilson to help on to change the website basic background color and etc. I think, it was a lot of help. INDEED.

Because I was taking a lot of time, I was familiar with the idea that I might stay after school or take more time to create the website. I planned on coming to school after classes and work on my website. That is why I saved my website links on the desktop so that it will be easier to find. But someone deleted them, when I came to pick her up. I was soo mad. I think, this really was the time when I felt like, I should just give up trying. "It is because just to create what I had just lost was A LOT for me!"

Then i thought I found it on my flashdrive; but the idea was that all the photos and background changes were not adjusted. As a SOLUTION to my problems, I deleted everysingle thing of my IT project. I started a new one when I had only 1 week left until the due date. Coffee cup program was not something I would recommend for next years' IT projects. I hated using them.

As an improvement. I would like to save my achievements in a safe file, where no one can reach.

Criterion C - Plan

So, due to private issues, I came to school a week later than everyone else did come. Therefore I was given 2 more classes to work on my website. And there can be several differences bewteen my plan and my classmates' plan.

Criterion B - Design (Website)

So, after a long long investigation. We are starting the Design section. Because I came late and everyone else are working ahead I am starting pretty behind. People are working on create now so I need to hurry to finish up the design and plan. So no matter that topic I choose I would like to include the following things:

• Homepage
• Different Categories related to the topic
• About me
• Contact me
• Pictures with captions (any information related to the image)
• Opinions
• Symbol of the website

(PS: everything in the list will be through navigation)

When I was first introduced into this new unit, I thought that I would create a website of my Guidebooklet "UB's Best 40". Because school ordered some more after my Personal Project Presentation I was so motivated and I thought that it can be more than just a school project. And I also do not want to make a lot of research (I HATE INVESTIGATION) especially on internet, I would like to create a website that includes my personal interests and less of a logical information and etc. So this is the list of the ideas, which I can use as my Website Topic:

• ISU Student Council Website
• Website of "UB's Best 40"
• Street Fashion
• Shoe Guide website
• Fashion Guide (ex: Lookbook.com)
• Music
• Hair Style

So, from these brainstorming ideas I chose three FINALS and then described them in details so that I can look more deeply into it to make a right decision as my FINAL TOPIC of my website. Idea #1: Fashion Guides Such as Lookbook.com

Personally, I love visiting such websites and looking at photos, which show pretty girls/boys with trendy outfits. I get ideas how I should wear my clothes as well as what looks good on what and etc.

• Website name: Urangoo and Fashion or anything along that line
• Official Language: English
• Users: Anyone

Content: It will have categories such as

1. Homepage/What's New
2. Tops
3. Dresses
4. Casual Outfit
5. Bottoms
6. Accessorize/Bags
7. Shoes
8. About me
9. Contact me

(navigation will lead to the pages) Then under each category there will be photos but no writing at all. Except for the name of the Model, clothes' brand, Date

No music nor advertisement not animated writings! Maybe some links to different photos of celebrity. (P.S. What's New/Homepage will be the first category and under it goes the lately updates and news about fashion but very brief)

Idea # 2: Hair Style

Because I like changing my hair style and making myself fresh, I would love to do such a thing (including research). This website will basically provide people with information on hair style, trend, color and anything else to do with hair. Users will check out what type of hair will suit them the best by looking at photos and evaluating their brain, cheeckbones, shape of head and etc.

• Website name: Best hair for me or anything along that line
• Official Language: English
• Users: Anyone

Content: This website will also have different categories from the very beginning and those categories will appear on every page of the website. I will make the website as brief as possible though it will content some more writing on the historic information page. I will include pages such as

1. Looking back at history, how people decorated their hair (different cultures)
2. What do people do with their hair now? What is trend?
3. What hairstyle suits you the best?
4. What hair color is suitable for you, basing on your eye color and skincolor?
5. What type of different chemical substances are new and productive?
6. What hair style is suitable for Prom, Date and etc?

Comparing to the pervious website, this one will have a lot more writing and requires more investigation through internet. But this website might be a little creative due to the idea that it is demanded by many people and it will be free advise for everyone, who visits the website.

Idea # 3: Website of "UB's Best 40"

Well, as was mentioned above, from the very beginning/introduction to this unit. I was told to expand my book and school wanted around 400 copies but then I thought that it may not be as interesting as some other topics I might come up with. However for now, I feel like FASHION is something that everyone else is doing. I heard that someone from our class is working on Street fashion and another one also fashion designing website; so I eliminate that idea from my list. That leaves me with Hair Style and UB's Best 40. Although I like getting haircuts and getting refreshed, am I really interested in Hair styling? NO> indeed I do not want to make thousands of research and just apply that internet source information on another website. So I WILL STICK WITH UB'S BEST 40. I think this decision is a right one because this way, it will also be productive in a different way. It just means that I am expanding my project even more, leading to the idea that if i make is successful enough it might be something that every tourist can use inside UB.

Expanded Plan of my Website Topic (UB's Best 40)

• Website name: www.ubbest40.com
• Official Language: English
• Users: Anyone
• Adjustments to the webpages: Admin only
• Background color: very light green (#ECF8E0)
• Font Style: Times New Roman, size: 2, color: black

PS> Above is the list of overal specifications that covers everything about my website. Basic Information. Let's look more speficifically

Menu Items:

(these menu items will be listed at the top of every page of my website, so that it will be convinient for the users to go back and forth)

• Homepage.
• Tourist Attractions/Sightseeing.
• Food.
• Shopping.
• Health.
• Map.
• About me.
• Contact me.
• Questions/Comments/Concerns.

so for instance, if the user clicks Food on the category list; then the navigation will lead to the page where all the pages of my guidebook under Food will appear. But not as a page format, it will show the places' name, photo, letter to the taxi driver and the descrition of the place in symbols. (Just to let you know before hand, although I am expanding UB's Best 40 I will also shorten the writing utilizing symbols and etc)

The website design will overall be in combination of light green/dark green/black/white. Some decorations will be done on the page designs

Creating Websites - Criterion A

Well, first of all this is a new unit where we have an opportuinity to create our own Webpage. I am very excited about this project though I also know that it is not going to be an easy task. So we have few assignments over two weeks to work on as an investigation.

Week one

We were asked to create an account on http://webteachertools.com/wtt/login/index.php due to the fact that we would be participating online classes during this new unit. Then on this wedsite we created our own accounts and MYP Technology classes where we could join discussion forums as well as the assignments given to us. I was not familiar with it first, though it looks like I can handle it.

For me websites are the shelters inside Internet. Repository, which all different kinds of information is kept inside. Every day we enter many websites in order to find information, investigate new ideas. Well, for me I use Facebook for the most of the time. I actually do like the design they use. It is very simple and easy to follow. It does not give me a headache with too much colors, nor it too much text. Though sometimes the uncountable notifications bug me to the fullest. Well, I dislike websites, which has the following:

• too much advertisement
• sudden music/noise everytime entering the link
• takes ages to upload/open the page or download something
• too much text
• has a link, where there actually is nothing
• the colors, they use. (TOO MUCH PINK... etc)

Well, I have looked over the websites which won the competition. Those best web sites were the ones, which had cool animations which related to the topic of the website, brief but interesting information/facts, not a lot of writing included, the fonts were easy to read but also fancy. The website, which won the competition was on chocolate. It looked cool with its ideas on creating almost every single detail of the website relating with chocolate. For instance, they had different categories in one page, which all lead to something new or different. So every category was represented as a chocolate bar then the whole page was a set of different chocolates. So it was very fun to look at, however the alternatives were that the website looked cheap. Maybe the combination of the text, color, font did not go together that lead to make it look worthless.

Then there was another website, which I found just randomly. It was not one of the high ranked or competition winner websites, however I loved the website. It did not look cheap, everything was done with such high detail. The photos, layers and the combination of fonts and style was so good that I wanted to go further on. The website's topic was on Mongolia, tourism. It was made in 2007 but it looked as if it was completely new. From the moment you entered the website, you could hear Mongolian throat singing (huumii). The actual master page was with this photo of Chinggis Khaan and the main color,which was used throughout the website, was nude and brown. Just like we use in art, we should use color that match together or the colors that are opposite to make the webpage stand out. Everything was done perfectly, but there were 2 details about the website,which bothered me. First, everytime I moved my mouse or clicked on the next page, it made this weird annoying sound. I do believe that the transition bells, or small ringtones may help for the users to notice whether they are going to new page. Then another thing which I totally disliked about this website was that all the pages were the same. Maybe because the first expression about this webpage so high that I expected more as I was travelling further. So if I actually am potential and want my webpage to be good, I would like to have couple of different designs for different pages.

Other than that overall, websites look good if it is simple. But since we are making websites for others' convieniency and pleasure as well as information source, I also want mine to look as exciting as I can manage but also in a positive way.

While looking through the websites, I also thought about my own creation/website. Basing on my previous experience, I wanted to make a website for my personal project. (I am redoing it as I was asked) So in my evaluation I wanted to create website covered, I wanted to use this opportuinity to combine both of the assignments. However I figured out that this project is going to cover the whole remaining IT classes. This was the final project until the very lat day of school. So I want to choose something interesting for me. For instance:

• fashion, a website like http://www.lookbook.com/
• ice cream, decribing the top ice cream places around the world
• adolescence, identifying solutions to come over the difficulties
• art, including artistic pieces and how it is done
• shoes

Then on after this assignment we visited a website http://w3schools.com/, where we investigated a lot more about creating webpages. I felt as if anyone can use this tutorial and learn how to make webpages/website. It described every single thing step by step. One of the benefits of this website is that we could try whatever we learnt just by clicking to enter another link.

Week 2

1. Kyrnin Jennifer."What Design Scares You?".http://webdesign.about.com/u/ua/webdesignbasics/what-design-scares-you.htm

It basically was a discussion forum on about.com where the administrator asks users to describe what web designs are scariest and most annoying to them. Around 11 respondents wrote their opinion and most of them did mention about:

• how clear the text is
• the contrast of the text with the background
• sudden music or sounds
• disability of going to BACK to previous page
• too much animation

2. Shannon Ross. "Accessibility". http://www.yourhtmlsource.com/accessibility/

Woah, this website was HUGE. There were a lot of information on almost everything about HTML and the fonts etc. I think I have learnt a lot, however I think I read a lot about things I neve notice. For instance, the subheadings/categories are listed on the left side of the desktop or sometimes on the very top and etc. This website basically talked about which way is better for the audience. The fonts and style of the web pages would be better if its simple and one of the most important things I learnt through the learning was the NAVIGATION. The most important thing was that navigation to the home page should be very easy to find; so I am thinking about having the links to the Homepage and different Categories on each page. Then it will be better for the users. Further more, I have read quiet a lot on HTML 4 and HTML 4.01 and a little more about XHTML. First it was annoying to read and not understand what the auther meant; but I actually went to the very History page of HTML which did provide with a lot of information.

3.
Sidebar: A list of reminders http://webstyleguide.com/wsg3/1-process/5-list-of-reminders.html

This was a small article like list of reminders about website making guide. The actual content was very similar to what I was reading before in the previous two articles. But it was brief and one of the reminders was to LIMIT TO THE MINIMUM. I like how the webmaker did apply that suggestion on his/her webpage unlike article # 2. So briefly I enjoyed reading it although I was pretty familiar with all of them. The one suggestion, I liked the most, was to post everything that the audience wants. It is something that I really should take in consideration because I feel like I am more of a self centered person. So I need to know what visitors seek through in my topic so that I can make a successful website.

As you have commented on my blog, you left this really cool page where I found a "dialogue" between a website and a user. I loved it. Instead of reading pages of long writing one after another, I would love to read stuff like this:

• Me: (tries to visit a local restaurant’s website via iPhone)
• Restaurant website: I require Flash. F*** off.
• Me: I just want to know how late you’re open.
• Website: Nope.
• Me: But I’m on my phone. Don’t you have a little “HTML Version” link up in the corner or something?
• Website: I’m ignoring you.
• Me: What if I’m on my phone because I’m out, looking for a place to eat? Didn’t that ever occur to you?
• Website: F*** entirely off.
• Me: (gives up, switches to computer)
• Website: Oh! Hi! What can I help you with today?
• Me: What are your —
• Website: Hang on, I’m loading the music.
• Me: Really.Website: You’ll love it. It’s “Girl from Ipanema” arranged for steel drum and keytar.
• Me: No, you don’t have to —
• Website: Loading…
• Me: All I want is —
• Website: I SAID DOT DOT DOT.
• Me: (drums fingers on desk)
• Website: There we go. Isn’t that nice? It’s… what’s the word. Ethnicky.
• Me: What are your hours?
• Website: Take a look at our menu! It’s a PDF of a screenshot of a scan of a Word document printed on a dishtowel. With fonts!
• Me: I don’t care. What are your hours?
• Website: Don’t worry, the menu loads in a new window so the music won’t stop. Can I show you some broken images?
• Me: What. Are. Your. Hou. Rs.
• Website: I… I don’t know.
• Me: (goes to Denny’s)

Whineman Dan, "A Conversation I have every month or so" http://venomousporridge.com/post/389785000/a-conversation-i-have-every-month-or-so

I think, it happens to everyone and indeed I hate such cases.

So the final job for Week 2 was to work on this worksheet and basically I have done it and put in in my student folder, under IT/Website. DONE!!! INVESTIGATION IS DONE

Criterion E - Evaluation

Well, this project is done. Through out the project, I have worked with Jiri, one of my classmates which I have never worked with before. So it was a lot of experience working with him and I believe that our process went well with an outstanding product. Our finished Wikipedia group project does meet the three design specifications:
- It DOES contain information from reliable source. Specifically, the part which we have edited. The information was from CIA World Factbook.
- It IS edited properly. The font and context are just the same as the ones above and below and any other information format on it. The edition is true, none of those irresponsible actions/context was written.
- It IS cited properly. Properly meaning that the footnote was used as well as in the reference the link of where we got the information was written in there.

Criterion A

Well, as was asked in order to get the highest grade, I had to introduce the project as usual. I did introduce the project and how it is related with the chosen Areas of Interaction, and category of the Learner Profile. Then I was supposed to investigate about wiki pages, and answer questions like:

• What is a wiki?
• Why use them?
• Who creates them?
• Who edits them?
• Who is in charge of deciding what goes into an article and what gets removed from an article?

These types of questions were meant to get answers; which I did answer them. Although I did research quiet a lot, it was not that easy to answer every single question to the fullest. And I will admit that I write a lot. I am not really satisfied with the answers I have given. I could have done much better job if I put some more effort into it. It was me, who was in charge of everything. There was nothing from external atmosphere. So if I can redo this project, I would like to concentrate more on the investigating the wiki pages. Then as was mentioned above, we had to choose a partner, who we never worked with before. For me, my partner was Jiri. We were asked to create a method of finding inaccuracies on Wikipedia. We did create a brief method; but while we were working on further stages of this unit, I realised that we were not reasonable enough about our method. Through out the project we were seeking for new solutions to find inaccuracies on Wikipedia pages. That took quiet a lot of time. When we always think about Wikipages, we do believe that they are not reliable; however it REALLY was hard to find errors. So that part of making the method did not really succeed, I would like to think wisely and again spend some time actually to come up with reasonable evidence to back up the method.

Other than that we had to create a test our method by finding an inaccuracy on Wikipedia. Becuase Jiri was working ahead of me, he had already written one. So since we didnt want to waste and I did agree with the method, we just posted the one he had. It might have been a mistake for me. Because it was supposed to be a group work no matter how much I did support the ideas he had already written. So in the future, I would like to come with OUR ideas together and add original thoughts. So I did lack of enthusiasm to work hard on this project.

Though there was a stage throughout Investigation where we actually had fun. We created our own wiki pages. For example, I worked with Sonya to create a wiki page and we posted our previous unit's work/speech on it. So did everybody else in our class, and each of us had to visit each others' blogs and either make changes to it or comment on it. It was fun but a mess at the same time. People ended up editing pages all the time and made the content of the text totally different. For instance,

I like you into I hate you. and ETC>

Criterion B

For Criterion B, it was not a lot of work. We were to find an error or errors in any Wikipedia page then edit it converting them into the right information. Post evidence of my work in MLA citation. I was asked to post the incorrect information; but I did not. It is because I did not read the all the specifications before I actually adjust the page. Other than that I did all was asked. I did show the correct version though, and included a little paragraph telling the estimated version of the incorrect information. Other than that I did create the design specifications.

Criterion D

The create was smooth as Design maybe even easier than that. We had to read and sign the responsibility agreement. And then use the given username and password to make the changes. So Jiri and I made the corrections using the given username and included the sources. There was not a lot to work and there is no improvement needed, I believe.

After a week after we have changed the wikipedia page of Mongolia, I visited that page again and saw that the administrator changed it back. The popullation of Mongolia is changed back into:

Population
- December 2009 estimate
2 736 800[3] (140th)
- 2000 census
2,407,500[4]

I do live in Mongolia and from the News (media) I know that Mongolia's popullation was had reached over 3 million at the beginning of 2009. Basing on the research made by our group at CIA World Factbook, the estimate was around 3, 100, 000; however the estimate was done June 2009. I do agree that administrators have a duty to keep the pages updated using the latest information. And I do understand that it was the reason they changed it back. I do believe that WORLD FACTBOOK is one of the most accurate sources around the world. Does that mean that MOngolia's popullation got decreased by almost 300,000 in only 6 months? That does not look like a reasonable information.

Then I looked over the source of the information, which admistrators used. And it was Mongolian National Statistical Office document. I will not argue, it is more accurate than the World Factbook HOWEVER IT WAS DONE IN 2002. AND THE ESTIMATE DECEMBER 2009 was not a proven information. IT WAS A PREDICTION of popullation growth. So I am thinking why didn't wikipedia administrators use common sense? Why are they changing REAL SOLID INFORMATION into a HYPOTHESIS, which was made like 8 years ago.

Investigation - WIKIALITY

So we have just started a NEW UNIT!!! Its about Wikiality. Basing on the Learner's Profile, Principled links to this unit because of the fact that it is about principles of moral reasoning, incorporating integrity, honesty and a sense of fairness and justice and respect for the dignity of the individual. Since wiki page is a website where anyone can write/post whatever they want to even by adjusting the original version. Since, there are no special written rules for writing on Wikipage, and indeed if there are no serious penalties; anyone writes whatever they want. It just gives too much freedom without any responsibilities afterwards; that is why people tend to use wikipage to make fun of things, to destroy what is in there.
From the Areas of Interaction, it related to Health and Social Education. It is because we are actually entering or adjust someone else's world or statement meaning there are disrespect going one way or the other. To mention one of the wiki websites that are used worldwide are:
http://www.wikipedia.org/

Day 1
So as the beginining of this unit, we tried to make our own wiki page and see the consequences from that. Well, in order to create a wiki page, we create an account for free, then we create this page to post the article we want. From my previous project, I took a script and posted it while working in pairs with Sonya, one of my fellow classmates. It was very easy to create a wiki page, it did not even take a minute. It was that easy that it actually allows this opportuinity of everyone can create their wiki page.
Well, after creating our own brand new wikipages, we had to look over the other student's blog and then try to either edit their page or make comments. Well, naturally I like having fun as well as sometimes I am evil. So while I was looking over other people's wiki page, i actually edited a lot rather than making comments. Most of them time, I wrote the opposite of what the author meant. But I did not delete the whole article, which I could have, because I did not want to be too mean. Others were adjusting my script as well. After looking over all the other wikipages of my classmates I went back to my own wikipage http://usit.pbworks.com/
From the very beginning, Sonya and me posted our script on this special page, not on the front page. So some of the visitors could not find our post, instead they saw the blank front page and edited it with their own ideas. They wrote such things:
"Where is your post??? HUH? Your mom's breath stinks and etc..."
I knew it was not offensive to me as well as the editor did not mean it. However, it felt bad. Then when I went to the podcast page, where our script was posted, I found out that someone had already edited it.
The script was so different. Even though, when you look at it, it looks just the same. There were only a few words changed so that it made the whole content the opposite of what I meant. That was what I did to other people's post. It was funny to see a total different story, though the original one was what I wrote. Well, I wanted to post the original version of my script but there was no way other than editing it again. There are no ways to go back to the original script on the wikipage.

Wikis can be used for:
- reseources
- advertisement
- survey
- support group
- debate

Research about Wikipedia

Basically, Wikipedia gets its information from the people, who use it. There are more than 85,000 active contributors working on more than 14,000,000 articles in more than 260 languages. Every day thousands and thousands of people editing and posting information on wikipedia sharing their knowledge with the rest of the world. Because wiki pages can be edited by anyone at any time, there has to be someone in charge or deciding what goes into an article and what gets removed from an article. The administators all around the world, or the who care about wikipedia and its principles. Administrators are in charge of the content of the information on wiki pages. There are specific criterion related to the value of the text. Administrators are allowed to edit and delete the pages, block usernames,and lock the information. There are administrators, and then they are less powerful than bureaucrats, who makes decisions such as accepting them to become administrators or blocking their account. Then there is a supreme court of Arbitration Committee that only experienced administrators are allowed to be in.

I think wikipedia is a reliable source, though in order to have solid information it is better to have backed up plans. Eventhough there are thousands of people trying to have fun by corrupting wikipedia pages; there are the same amount of administrators around the world.

I would know whether a particular article really is accurate by researching more from other reliable sources which are sponsored by the government or special world wide known organisations.

There can be various of methods of finding inaccuracies on Wikipedia:

1. Research the topic of the article title
2. Compare answers and see which one has the most common answer
3. Verify/find out if there is anything that does not correspond
4. If there is something that corresponds, verify the validity of your research source
5. If your research/ resources is valid, then the wikipedia entry has an error or inaccuracy

Criterion B - Design

Our group worked very hard to find inaccuracies on Wikipedia. So we came up with special plans such as starting up with some information we learnt in the past. Even though, before we all believed that wikipedia was not a reliable source and indeed some of us actually avoided using it; it was a difficult duty to find mistakes. There are millions and millions of pages created; however there was no guarantee to know which page has mistakes and which not. Then on the other hand side, we as students, are not very educated indeed. There is nothing that we actually know for sure among others. Although, while I was creating the test I felt like the steps were easy; but for further way, I realised it was not as smooth as I have expected it to be. So we talked about searching for information about our country or culture, because that is what we know the most. I was working with Jiri, so we looked over Czech Republic and Mongolia, and very specific information like GER. We decided to edit Mongolia’s population, which was either old or inaccurate.

This is the page we have edited:

"Mongolia." Wikipedia. Wikipedia, Web. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongolia.

On this page, we particularly edited the population estimate of 2009. Basing on the information on CIA world fact book the population of Mongolia was 3,041,142, while Wikipedia said it was around 2,700,000. The source for the CIA page is:

"Mongolia." CIA The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency, Web. 16 Feb 2010. .

Edited part of article

Population

- July 2009 estimate 3,041,142 [3] (140th) [it was around 2,700,000 before]

- 2000 census 2,407,500[4]

- Density 1.75/km2 (236th)5.03/sq mi

Design specifications:

- Information from reliable source

- Edited properly

- Cited properly

Criterion D - Evaluate

Well, about evaluating my final podcast, we should look back to the design specifications I have created before. Here it is:

Design Specifications

It should be a real podcast
It has to be published
It should be about adolescence
It should contain at least a photo of me
It should be clear to listen and understand
It should not be dull and long
Should contain a background music that is related to the topic

The ones in red are the recommended design specifications that were given by Mrs. Wilson. The other 4 are my own design specifications. There were 7 of them overall; however my final product didn't meet with all of them. Although my product was a real podcast, it was published, it was about adolescence, i did content a photo of me, it was clear and easy to understand, it was not dull or long; there was a problem about the background music of the podcast. I did not include a backgound song due to the fact that I could not. Its because of the fact that no longer than 30 seconds of one song is allowed to be utilised in one podcast. So since I could no longer put the whole song, i actually had 2 brief parts of the song which are placed at the beginning and at the end. However, I can justify my sudden decision by the fact that the chosen song was related to my topic. =]

Investigation

For the investigation of this project, Examining Podcasts about Adolescence, I was supposed introduce the new unit on my blog, describe the project and its importance. Then I was supposed to answer few questions such as:
- How podcasts used / what are are they for?
- Who creates them?
- Who listens to podcasts?
- How are they made?
- What is my task?
- Why might it be important for me to learn about creating podcasts?
- Who might listen to it?
After making some research to answer these questions, I was told to read at least 3 different podcasts that I find on internet, no matter what it was about, with proper MLA citation. Then basing on the meaning, how it was created, where I found the podcast, and the overall view of the podcast I was supposed to write a paragraph about it. After all I was supposed to investigate different ways that one can record and publish podcasts. Then investigation of this project ended with describing a test to evaluate my final product.

I did all the things that were asked to get the highest score, indeed I interviewed three people with three different teenagers with three different backgrounds, as well as my mom as a source of information about adolescence back in the old days. Other than that, as we were supposed to do I worked with a partner to create a “draft” podcast about an adolescence in Mongolia. During the Swine Flu break, I did meet up with my partner to come up with a script and we made up this fictional character. We recorded it; but did not publish it hence we were not asked to. Although I wrote a lot, answered whatever was asked to investigate, at the end I realized that I did not completely understand how to record and publish my podcast. I did research quite a few ways to publish my podcasts; however while I was working on Creation; I understood that the chosen way was not the best option. I encountered too many conflicts, which lead me to change whatever was planned. I went back to investigation for more options and changed my decision into something more reliable. So if I have another chance to redo this whole experiment, I would like work on investigating the ways of recording and publishing podcasts more and actually know what are the advantages and disadvantages of them; so that I will no longer need to go back to the investigation and made adjustments.

Design

We were asked to make a list of possible topics for your own podcast, describe my intended audience, choose a method and explain why I chose that procedure, and finally it was put duty to come up with the list of design specifications.
Well, I did make a long list of possible topics and chose 3 of them, which sounded the most interesting for me. I made outlines for the three pre-final podcast topics and wrote about my feelings towards choosing that topic. Through this process, I figured out which topic was the most suitable one for my project as well as my goal behind this project. I had created a list total of seven design specifications, how I wanted my podcast to be like. After all, I chose the method I wanted to use, which turned out to the one of the worst decisions throughout the project. So, again, if I would like to redo this whole project again I would like to start working precisely from the investigation part so that I would not mess up with the next stages. It was wrong of me to not to look carefully through the procedures of recording and publishing the podcast. Other than that, there is nothing I would like to change in my Design stage of my Design Cycle.

Plan

Comparing Plan to other stages of Design Cycle, it was pretty simple. I was just to make a timeline chart for myself about exactly how I will create the podcast including date, time, steps, materials, resources. And occasionally make changes to my plan if there were any.
This whole idea of creating the plan was messed for couple of times, due to the flexibility of the deadlines and because of Swine Flu break. However, it was not a conflict without solution. I handled everything well, just like everybody else did. There is nothing to adjust in my Planning.

Create

For create section, I actually enjoyed the process more than I had expected although it tired me the most. To get the highest grade on Criterion D, i had to:

- write a rough draft of my podcast script

- ask 3 of my friends to read it and make written comments on my blog

- incorporate their advice

- write my final draft

- record my podcast as many times as nessesary

- listent to it and make adjustments if needed

- have 2 comments on my blog

- add sound or music effects if needed

- publish my podcast and create a link from my blog to my podcast.

I actually did all of them, however there were minor problems. It was very difficult to come up with the perfect version of my recording. everytime i recorded it, there at least was one pause or mispronounced word. As a solution, i just chose the one with the least amount of mistakes or pauses. Then when the time comes to ask others to read my script or listen to my podcast, I was asked to listen to theirs' as well in order for them to do so. It took time, but it was not as bad. As I had mentioned above, those sound problems did become a big deal, so i actually made my podcast and then used mediaconverter.org in order to convert it into a mp4 so that i can attach my photo and the song parts. Then i converted it back to mp3 to put it on podomatic.com. Even though, i had planned to use iTunes, I could not because of the fact that I do not have a credit card nor I was Mongolian. (Mongolia was not listed in the coundry, where the customer is from) I was very upset about it but what can I do? I just had to find PLAN B in order to finish my project. As a solution, I used podomatic.com which was a lot easier and convienient to use. Not only i published my podcast on podomatic, I also posted it on my blog since I had the mp4 version of my podcast. After all, it was successful even though the process was rough.

TEST

About the testing of this unit; I had special people, who are close to me, to listen to my podcast and answer few questions. One of the was Ms. Eggie, who left school now and is on her maternity leave. I do not want to bother her and create problems, so I will just ask Bilegt to test to product.

1. Suugii's Response:

I think that you are mature enough to think of your future, whereas some other teenagers are randomly going out and clubbing. I also believe that you worry and think about certain things too much that it bothers you a lot, like you mentioned in your podcast. Since it is going to happen in the future, there is no need to worry and fear from it NOW. You said that you have a happy life and your only work is to go to school; I think that you should use this opportunity to do your job well, and secondy I think that your fear of your future might stop you from developing as a person.I didnt know that you actually feared your future very much, but I think that you are able to overcome it and do well

2. Bilegt's Response:

I found out that you are unsure about yourself and your future because you are too reliant on your parents. I thought that you were really confident about being a banker and all that but still have some hesitations. I also learnt that you define the word ‘scared’ more as in feelings and not as in objects like spiders and snakes. Even though you are always happy and positive at school, I never noticed about you being unsure about your future. Feeling unsecure is definitely ‘scary’ and I think you stated your feelings clearly.