I chose to research Mindomo for this assignment because I had begun to research this application prior to choosing the one I wanted to focus on for Project #1.
These instructions followed the first few steps identified in TCH's chapter on instructions, and included multiple strengths. First, the main heading is clearly labeled with bigger and bold font, so it's easily identifiable to the reader. Second, there is "ample white space" as documented on page 76, allowing for easy reading as you scroll through the instructions. Third, the website is clear and uncluttered. The text is easy to follow. Topics and subtopics are distinguishable, and the instructions under these topics start with the action verbs. Screenshots are accompanied, which assists readers in making sure they are following instructions, as mentioned in TC's Chapter 20. A weakness of these instructions may be that there are only 5 headings/instructions included on this website. I am not familiar enough with this application yet to know if more instruction topics are needed, but the ones that are listed are clear and concise.
This set of instructions tells the reader what teachers can use Mindomo for in their classroom; however the instructions on how to use those recommendations is limited. For example, it states, "You can give resources..." and "You can add resources..." which is helpful in learning more about the program, but the only elaboration is a few screenshots, as visuals. Also, these instructions do not include statements beginning with verbs, which makes them less clear. Strengths of these instructions include the website design layout. There is ample white space on the left side, visuals are included, topics are numbered, and important words are "bolded."
These Basic Tools for Mind Mapping on Mindomo are from Claremont Colleges Library. At first glance, this website is a little more cluttered than some of the others because it has a list of Guide Tools to the left of the instructions; however it possesses multiple strengths as well. It starts with a brief introduction, before a numbered list of topics, and a screenshot visual included in each step. Although the steps include action verbs, they are not the first word of the instruction, and some of the wording is not as clear as it could be. For example, one step states, " Once you have finished typing the desired information, click on the close icon on the box." Per TC and TCH, it would be more concise for it to read, "Click on the close icon on the box, once you have finished typing the desired information." There are a few of the same examples throughout this list of instructions. This may seem like a very small change, but overall, they can help with transitioning from one step to the next, and can save time for the reader.
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