BLOOMSBURG UNIVERSITY

MEMO



DATE: March 25, 2014
TO: Lindsey Dotzel, Shannyn Kleeman
FROM: Adina Evans - Project Manager
Becca Hess Content Writer
Denise Parker - Audience and Usability
Karima Odom - Project Manager
Lauren Jones Content Writer
Matthew Tallent Technology Manager, Usability
Zachary McNeill Technology Manager
RE: National Council of Techers of English Research Document



This memo will serve to provide knowledge on our research of other National Council of
Teachers of English (NCTE) affiliates. The memo will begin with problems we found with
certain affiliates, affiliates that succeeded, and lastly how ours compares. This memo will
also explain why we found an affiliate worked or failed, and what ideas from which we can
benefit. In essence this memo will aid in working towards a successful NCTE group here in
Bloomsburg.

Issues Found to be Problematic

Lack of Website was a problem we found with many of the NCTE affiliates. Alberta had a
url link however when the link was opened a page appeared saying the website had moved
(refer to source A). This causes an issue that would discourage users from pursuing the site
and thus the affiliate. Many sites including the elite sites lacked connection to social media
and therefore gave the impression of being outdated. Not only is this an issue of appearance
but also inhibits further networking opportunities.

Design Problems such as color scheme, font, layout, and usefulness were common problems
founded on various affiliate websites. Arizona State University was a site that encompassed
all of the above design problems (refer to source B). The site had used a font in one section
that was illegible which caused it to be uninformative. Also it used bland colors, looked
unfinished, and had poor tab structure. Membership signup on this website deters new
members because it displays minimal information and requires immediate payment. This site
has poor networking abilities because although it is friendly to mobile users it lacks social
media. The Association of College English Teachers of Alabama also experienced many
issues regarding design scheme more specifically color choices (refer to source C). Their
website were extremely distracting and took away from the message and information being
displayed. Due to the poor color scheme my time spent on the site diminished drastically.

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Discouraging these Practices are key to successful website because they avert members
from perusing the affiliates chapter by the lack of user friendliness. These errors also impair
the current members of that chapter who want to access certain information the website could
potentially offer.

Affiliates that were Found Successful
Designs that Encouraged users to peruse NCTE and return back to the website for further
use implemented the following strategies. The strategies being: cohesive color scheme,
lucidness, extensive information, and an engaging website that enhanced the over visual
rhetoric of the affiliate. Some design schemes that made an impression were British
Colombia Teachers of English Language Arts, Arkansas Council of Teachers of English and
Language Arts, California Association of Teachers of English, Wisconsin Council of
Teachers of English Language Arts, and New England Association of Teachers of English
(refer to sources D-H). These chapters all encompassed cooperative color schemes and user
friendly tab structures that made them inviting to new members and very helpful to current
members.
Unique Networking Ideas that should be implemented into Bloomsburg Universitys NCTE
chapter website are information on conferences, a discussion forum for current members, an
awards page to demonstrate the benefits of an NCTE membership, and a link to listserv for
furthering networking opportunities. Along with these elements Bloomsburg Universitys
NCTE chapter website should be added to the national NCTE website for increased
accessibility. Not only will this aid in increasing traffic on the website but it will give
credibility to the Bloomsburg University chapter. The last beneficial attribute that should be
incorporated is keeping the website updated with events, newsletters, hyperlinks, and
resources for members. Having a website constantly updated rather than stagnant will
increase the member return rate.

Status of Bloomsburg NCTE

Currently Bloomsburg NCTE has a working website that is connected to social media (refer
to source I). The social media sites available for Bloomsburg NCTE are Facebook, Linkedin,
and Twitter. This is important to actively update because students frequent these sites and
they act as recruiting sites. Our website has a clear design layout, vibrant inviting colors, and
intermediate networking tools.

In Conclusion, Improvements that should be made to help this site reach its full potential
are a listserv, discussion forum, newsfeed, connection to conferences, and more information
should be implemented into the site. Adding the Bloomsburg affiliate to the main NCTE
affiliate page would help establish our accessibility as well as our legitimacy. Lastly a list of
state NCTE chapters should be listed on the Bloomsburg NCTE site in order for networking
to other chapters and aid transfer students. As of yet these changes have not been
implemented but are currently being updated in order to maximize the websites use. Overall,
it is an honor to have this opportunity to work with NCTE and thank you for this experience.