This module has put me further out of my ‘comfort zone’ than any other so far. I feel surprised and pleased that I have been able to complete this task. However, I have not enjoyed being so far out of my depth. I would have to admit that, in terms of my own learning, it has been a very valuable experience. I now know that, when required, I could use a platform like Weebly to build my own website. (And it is very likely that I actually will!)
What I would do, in the future, is spend time ‘playing’ with content that I was not worried about losing. The constant fear of doing something disastrous to content - that it had already taken me hours to get in place - left me feeling very anxious and lacking in ambition.
In terms of the content, I have loved researching the artists. I was particularly facinated by Hokusai. The breadth of his work is huge. What I have written about only gives a glimpse of his creativity.
I now have a much broader understanding of Land Art, from it's origins in The U.S.A. and Britain in the 60s to now. In fact, this is a problem with research, it is very easy to get side tracked by other interesting artists and images. I have tried to stick to websites I felt were trustworthy, that belong to genuine institutions. So hopefully I have not been led astray. I am at home using libraries for research and I was able to use both Malvern and Worcester Hive which have good art sections- and very helpful librarians.
The programs I have used are: 1) Weebly - I found uploading content from my iPad much easier as I am used to this way of working.
2) Sketches (iPad) - this allowed me to draw, paint, fill, and create layers for the title page image with ease. I often doodle with this app using a stylus, which I find much easier than using a mouse on the PC.
3) Microsoft Publisher - I needed help to navigate around this program which felt very alien to me. I was able to import images and layer them. I was eventually able to get text where I wanted and of the size, colour, and font required. I was able to glimpse the flexibility it offered for someone who comfortably knew their way around it. Rather late in the day, I discovered an iPad app called Keynote which would have allowed me to do much the same thing but with less stress, I’ll try that in future!
Good practice :
(well you asked for it!)
As an Alexander Technique teacher, I have worked with many people who experience physical problems resulting from spending a long time each day at a computer. Here is my advice for anyone who finds themselves in that situation:
Have frequent breaks.
Set a timer, so that you spend no more than 30 minutes without either taking a break, looking around, sitting up or, preferably, getting up and talking a walk.
Work with your feet flat on the floor while sitting on a chair which offers firm support and which has a horizontal seat and is adjustable for your back.
Aim to try to start each 30 minutes sitting in a balanced, upright position. Adjust your workstation so that it allows for this. Learn the Alexander Technique semi-supine position and practice it every day for 15 minutes as this will help counteract the forward curvature most people develop when sitting at a computer.
This website is about a fictional collective, for educational purposes only.