Blog 3 - Defining Your Website's Objectives

The two websites I have chosen were Mississippi State University and Michigan State University. Of the two websites, Mississippi State presents a more effective website for recruiting. A link for prospective students is easily found on the site’s homepage. When following the link, there are numerous features offered on the site which include recruiting events, video campus tour, and an online chat option. In contrast, Michigan State is rated by a reputable publication number one for their College of Education and Psychology. The link for prospective students was buried within the home page. Once I followed the link there was very little information that engaged further reading. I suspect that given they are rated number one they don’t really focus on recruitment.

In defining objectives for course project number two my overall purpose for writing is to persuade visitors to consider a career in special education. I have been prompted to write by course requirement and hope for a positive, persuasive and engaging website. I anticipate a positive outcome from my readers that they will leave the site with some beneficial knowledge that will equip them with a better understanding of the numerous career options in the field of special education.

Primary visitors to this site may be recent high school graduates, undecided college students and/or individuals that are considering a career change. However, some visitors may include professionals within the field of special education or general education. Most readers may be unfamiliar with the opportunities outside the classroom in this community. There are no obvious communication preferences, but I would propose that multimedia should be included to engage visitors to the site.

Certain events and circumstances influence the way we write because the diversity of your potential audience. Information offered should minimize, but not eliminate industry jargon to enable all readers to have a positive experience. It should also be said that there are certain values and beliefs of this discourse community that should be communicated. Specifically, “People First” language, by this I mean we refer to people with disabilities, not a disabled person.

It is expected that visitors to the site may have an interest in starting a career in special education. They may be interested in learning the various job profiles, potential salary and the occupation outlook of careers in this field. I anticipate providing links to the Occupational Outlook publication that is published by the United States Department of Labor which provided the most accurate information about job descriptions, required educational background, and job outlook. The reader can compare the job profiles listed that best serve their interests in the field.

This site is expected to bring awareness to the field of special education and the need for highly qualified teachers in this area. It will also acquaint the reader to other career options outside the classroom. It is expected that the reader would consider the author of this site to have significant knowledge of this field and trust the information that is presented.

Beside the reader, other stakeholders in this communication are existing special education professionals, parents and families of individuals with exceptionalities, as well as those with exceptionality. Constraints that may limit writing may include the use of any confidential information about specific individuals or events. The field of special education is rooted in confidentiality and the rights and privileges of those individuals with exceptionalities must be protected.