User:Aagwebb/Wiki HW

GEOL 4066: Plate Tectonics

WIKIPEDIA START-UP HOMEWORK (due: 9:10 AM, Tuesday Oct. 4, 2011)

Answer all questions within a wiki “sandbox” – upon completion, “turn in” the sandbox to Webb.

(1) In class on Tuesday (Sept 20), we discussed the basic ideas that you will each individually develop into Wikipedia pages.

Now, search for Wikipedia pages on 3 plate tectonics topics that are directly or tangentially related to your chosen topic.

For each page: [A] provide the link to the page, [B] explain the basic concept and value of the page (one sentence per page), [C] propose a useful alteration / addition to the page’s content, [D] describe both a successful part and an improve-able part of the *written communication* of the page, and [E] describe both a successful part and an improve-able part of the *visual communication* on the page.

(2) Provide a brief proposal for the Wikipedia page you intend to create this semester. This should include [A] an outline of the topic, [B] discussion of its value to both the wide audience and specialist audience, and [C] an explanation of how you intend to structure the page. This last part must include description of the original figure(s) that you will create for the page (each page will require at least one original figure), and of the reasoning behind the choice of figure(s).

(3) (Extra credit) Get access to Adobe Illustrator (through LSU virtual lab, or another LSU resource like the design lab), CorelDraw, or a similar or better graphics program; create a simple figure (like a smiley face or a schematic subduction zone); upload the figure to your sandbox so that it looks ok / has decent resolution, etc (it could be a jpeg, etc); and briefly describe the software and specific software tools that you used to make the figure.