Step #1:
Finding a Fix
I had to use different worksheets in order to figure out and narrow down options for my iFixit repair guide. I had to ask my family questions about things that they wish they could fix, so I could think of different pieces of equipment that break, which I could make a useful repair guide for. This is important, because it taught me that research is not always sitting down on the computer and going on Google with questions. Research is also asking people about different things you would like to know more about. The internet is just one of many sources you could use for research! It is important to note that the brainstorming process was also essential in narrowing down my potential repair guide options because it gave me a sense of direction I wanted to go towards for my fix. Communicating with my classmates and sharing ideas with one another definitely helped me think of different repair guide options as well.
Step #2:
Choosing a Fix (and backups)
Once I narrowed down different things I could fix for my repair guide, it was important I chose something I knew I could do well. I am well-rounded with computers, and I have done a lot of prior research on its components and also have experience with computer repairs. I was able to confidently list a main fix (at the time it was a computer case fan installation), and 2 back ups that I knew I was experienced enough to perform.
Step #3:
Adaptation, and Researching my Fix
Unfortunately, I could not find my computer case model, due to the lack of information on the case itself. After communicating this with the iFixit Team, I chose my backup instead: RAM Replacement. The first step I took was asking myself, what am I researching? What questions do I have that need to be answered? This is a crucial step to any research process, as it is hard to find answers when you do not have a question in mind. Once I figured that out, I went through the process of finding multiple sources of information in order to solidify my knowledge on the guide I was preparing. The more sources you have, the better your perspective will be on the research subject. Finally, after answering all of my questions through my research, and finding multiple sources to verify the information I had, it was time to start writing my guide.
Step #4:
Writing The Guide
First thing's first: I had to make a draft. A very important aspect of writing is that it comes with a process, this process involves multiple steps, and with each step you should strive to improve on your work to end up with the final product being the best it can possibly be. It is crucial that you get feedback at every step/draft of your work. This feedback can come from professors, or classmates through peer-reviews during class. However, it is completely up to you on how you utilize the feedback given to you. A good skill I learned from this class, was how to take feedback that focused on the negatives of my work, and turned them into positives in the next step of my writing process. This writing process is not something I paid much attention to prior to WRIT 2201. Another valuable skill I learned, was how to use mark-up, which is how repair guides are illustrated to draw attention to the right parts of the images being shown. The final product of my work was a repair guide approved by iFixit, something I did not initially believe I could accomplish, and so this was something I was very proud of. After practicing typing while doing research and what not, I realized that I can type more efficiently than I did before.
Feedback
In the illustrations above, you will see how I imrpoved on my iFixit Repair guide at every step of the process, and this is solely because of the feedback I recieved and how I was able to take that feedback and apply it to my work so it could be a more polished project. People often underestimate the potential of feedback; it is a great tool that can help anyone exceed in their work as long as they use it correctly. This was one of my favourite takeaways of the course.