Reflections on COMM 333
I think that my ePortfolio helps to improve my professional presence by communicating a high-level of professionalism through the use of color, design and content. Throughout this course I have learned to utilize many aspects of persuasive communication including space, motivational appeals and a basic understanding of human nature.
What I like most about my ePortfolio is the ability to create a free online presence so that employers and others can easily access and learn more about me and my skill set. By having a high-end website to communicate my experience and abilities, I demonstrate a level of credibility needed to persuade others that I am qualified and competent.
My favorite assignment within the ePortfolio was the Advertising Analysis using Motivational Appeals. This task allowed me to really dig deeper into an area of passion, advertising. I enjoyed the challenge of taking apart something and then breaking down each piece in order to better understand why it was constructed. I thought this project was a great opportunity for us students to apply the learning from the course materials into a real life situation. It was fun!
In my experience using the ePortfolio design software was the most challenging aspect of the ePortfolio. While there are many really nice templates to customize, several of the aspects of the software are challenging to use smoothly. This is especially true if you need to add additional sections to your original template. I also would like the ability to change my layout and try other designs with the content included, but there is no easy way to do that without starting over. However, I will say that there is no way I could have built a site like this without a lot of design experience and cost. The additional parts like the blog and search engine optimization are extremely handy.
For students developing their ePortfolios, I would give the advice to spend plenty of time reviewing and using your own site. It is important to be comfortable when reading text and navigating the site. Imagine someone who is new to your site discovering it for the first time, they need to clearly understand where to look for information. Also consider the graphical elements of the site and what impact they could have on a visitor’s impression of you. Sudden movements or flashy animations could overwhelm some, while dull, drab colors might turn some people off from exploring more. In addition, the readability of the site is important. For example, I noticed several classmates using text on top of images. These must be positioned correctly and use specific color schemes to stand out and still be legible.
The most interesting component of persuasion that I learned through the course was the influence of society on persuasion. The theories I enjoyed included Social Impact Theory, Social Comparison Theory and the Social Influence Model. I was the most intrigued in these areas because I find the development of human character and the associated behaviors so fascinating. By nature, humans are social creatures and are drawn to others. We do not normally live nomadic lives and therefore social communities play a major role in who we are, how we act and what all of these actions mean. Society also helps us create an idea of who we are when we compare ourselves to others we admire or dislike.
My view and understanding of persuasion has grown considerably over this course. I was able to learn the basic philosophy of persuasive communication and now have a better foundation for which I can grow my communication skills upon. I have learned that to be a good persuasive communicator all features of the environment and psyche must be considered. I now know how important being a good and persuasive communicator is to achieving your goals, have others understand you and for relaying information. People who master the art and science of persuasion hold a lot of power and may be happier too.
