What I bring to the table.

Every person has their own unique types of skills and talents they can contribute among groups. Some of the skills I have include leadership, organization, creativity, and dedication. For future projects like this one, my leadership skills could push the team in the direction needed. Or if I was not the leader, having leadership talents I would be able to detect when others or myself need assistance. Then after helping, or being helped,  my team mates and I would be able to overcome even more challenges. My organization helps keeps my thoughts and work in place. As a result, I am able to keep track and of everyone's ideas and assignments more quickly and effectively. Being creative has opened new ideas on how we can present our findings and display our ideas. In turn for future projects, with my creativity we can appeal to wider audiences. Lastly, the most important factor about me is my dedication. It defines me as being someone who is always reliable and can get the work done, which is one of the biggest factors when choosing a teammate. 

-Alex Whitman

Am I suitable for another project?

I believe I would be a great asset to a project such as the Six Mile trail due to my great public speaking skills and leadership qualities. Although I was not the leader of this team, I have many qualities such as patience, organization, and understanding that a key to any leader. I have always been great at public speaking and would be a great candidate for giving a presentation. In an organized business environment I would help lead a team of qualified candidates to provide a useful presentation that we could see to its completion.  When we have gathered adequate information I will be able to convey that information to other businesses and the public to gain support for our project. 

-Robert Stafford

Am I Useful?

I think a project such as this would benefit from my attention to detail. Although I was not 100% detail-focused on this particular project, if this project was to take place in a professional setting where all of my attention could be focused on it, I think I would greatly augment the inter-coherence of this project and its credibility. I am a detail-oriented person, and I also favor concision in my presentation of information. In an ideal world, I would be able to take this project through several cycles of revision to ensure that every piece of presented information is necessary and contributes to a greater meaning for the project as a whole. I would also be able to ensure complete conformity to an established visual and tonal aesthetic. Overall, I am better at the organization and presentation of researched data than the research of the information itself (at least when it comes to areas that I have no interest in).

-Cailen

Working together

  Our group did very well throughout this project. I could not have asked for better teammates. We worked well together and each put forth a great deal of time and effort to this project. We met a few times a week and talked on a daily basis to make sure this project was perfect.  The only advice I have for the future would be more time. We worked very hard on this project but more time and more team members would have made the project even better. 

-Robert Stafford

Group Collaboration

The group collaboration went very well. We effectively worked together using Google Docs on the team proposal and on the presentation script. The weekly team meetings helped our group stay on focus and informed about each others work. Also, there was great communication outside of the meetings, through multiple media sources. The deadlines we set for ourselves made sure that everyone was prepared prior to the meetings. The only improvement our group would need for the future would be to communicate about document format types. There were a few problems that arose because of apple versus windows products, but since we worked efficiently as a team, we were able to absolve the problems quickly and effectively.

-Alex Whitman

Group Collaboration - What Went Well

I think our group managed to work well together and divide the work evenly. The nature of this project allowed several different semi-independent components to be researched, so the work was easy to divide. I especially found the use of Google Docs to be helpful, because we were able to work as a group and share a common workspace without worrying about version control or inconsistent editing and proofreading. I did find that working on the audio and video components of the presentation was difficult to do as a group simply because it required a lot of large file transfers, not all of which could be accomplished easily.

-Cailen

Activity Report 2

Activity report 2

I am preparing a script for the power point presentation as well as collaborating with my team on the design of the power point. My teammates and myself are working very hard, meeting three to four times a week, and talking each day to stay organized and provide a very nice project. My portion of the funding for this project is wrapping up very nicely. I have found a good deal of information on costs and funding for trails. Stay tuned for the final presentation coming soon!

-Robert Stafford

Activity Report #2 - Cailen

For the video presentation due next, I have already written a preliminary script for my part of the presentation. We are collaborating this weekend on the powerpoint and accompanying voice recording, and this script will be refined as we work on the presentation.

Activity Report 2-Alex Whitman

To continue to prepare for the presentation I have completed my script. I have a arranged a time to meet with my group, which is tomorrow in the library. Also to be prepared for the presentation I have been collaborating closely with my team to make sure we all are ready and have done the required research. Lastly for acquit preparation, I have practiced my lines and compared them to how they transitions to my team members lines.

Trail Survey

Twenty seven random people were surveyed the following questions:

1.) On a scale of 1 to 5, how frequently would you use trails to commute from place to place, given it was a reasonable distance? with 1 being seldom and 5 being very often

2.) On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being no affect and 5 being strongly affects, how would the accessibility of public restrooms affect your likelihood of using trails?

3.) On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being very concerned and 5 being not concerned, how concerned would you be about the closeness between the side of the road and the trail path?

4)How much do you enjoy walking or biking outside, on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 meaning you find it dreadful and 5 meaning you find it very joyful?

5.) On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being seldom and 5 being often, how often would you use trails by yourself, relative to how often you use trails now?

6.) On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being far away and 5 being very close, close to businesses, such as gas station and fast food restaurants, would you like the trail to be?

7.) On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being strongly against and 5 being strongly for, how much would you like to see mile markers?

8.)If it cost the same to create trails out of any type of material, which of the following materials would you like the trails to be made out of: cement, rubber, dirt, gravel, or grass?

9.)Would you rather bike, walk, or run on trails?

The results are displayed in the chart below. Also the people were asked; on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being unlikely and 5 being very likely, how likely would you use trails if it meant they were publicly maintained?  Every person responded with a five. In conclusion, people don’t mind picking up their own trash and actually prefer that everyone takes care of trails.

From the data a few other conclusions can be made. 

First:      Almost everyone would use a trail almost daily if it was in a reasonable distance for them to commute. 

Second:  People came to the general consensus of preferring to bike away from businesses. As a result when conducting a trail design it would be better to have it more in the country than in the town. This is relief since the current plan is more in the country than in the city.

Third:     People want mile marker signs and a lot of them. From confronting people today, I would conclude that for the average person using the trails desires a mile marker size about every quarter of a mile

Fourth:      The average distance people want the trail from the road is about three feet. This is just enough so they are not worried about getting hit by cars and at the same time they are not too far away from the road; so if they need help someone would be able to see them.

Fifth:          People love to be outside and traveling to some extent. Everyone rated highly this they like to be outside either biking or walking

Sixth:         The people using the trails would use them for a mixture of walking, biking, and hiking, but the types of trails they would want to use is the same, for the most part. Their opinions said the would like to have either grass and dirt trails or something smoother to run on like rubber. Since rubber it quite expensive, my recommendation is to have the trails made out of either cement or dirt and grass.


-Alex Whitman

Activity Report –Alex Whitman

To prepare for the presentation, I have been completing the finishing touches on my research. Today, I finished conducting my survey and will post the results soon. Aside from research, to be more prepared for the presentation I have been working closely with my team to collaborate our efforts and ideas. This will lead to our success and will create a product comprised of great team work.

Activity Report 1, Robert Stafford

I am currently trying to organize all of the information I will need for our group presentation. I am also working with my group getting and getting the information to our group leader in a timely manner. Most importantly I am trying to stay focused on the task at hand and working to provide a great presentation.

-Robert Stafford

Activity Report - Cailen 06/05/12

At this moment in ENGL 314, I am continuing research into trail construction methods for our proposed trail from Six Mile to Clemson. I am relying heavily on the research already laid out in the Greenville Bikeville report, for in this report the authors expended a great deal of effort in performing detailed research of bike path construction methodologies. I am also finalizing the justification for the trail location that was chosen from the candidate trail locations.

Brochure Pictures

               For the first visual we chose to have a picture of a well-designed trail that includes people using it and having a good time. The main purpose of the picture is to engage the reader about trails and make them interested in using them. It does so by showing people having a good time while using the trails. The picture isn’t complex and it does not need to be, since the people that would be reading this brochure would be average. The picture is not titled or numbered, but there is a caption to go with the picture and do to its placement in the brochure numbering the picture would make it seem out of place. Since there is no data included with the picture, no cites are needed. On the other hand, the caption includes data and that is referenced. The visual is someone else’s and I did keep the source information to later acknowledge their ownership. It is not included in the brochure because it would distract from the focus. The visual can stand for itself since it has a simple meaning. The visual is uncrowded in the brochure and is appropriate for the need of the photo, to show trails are fun. Lastly, it is easy to locate and it is next to the text that goes with it.

               The next visual used serves the same purpose. It shows how a group of people can find trails enjoyable. Yet again this picture is simple for a simple audience. This picture is not numbered or titled but does not need to be. The picture’s purpose is to entice readers while filling space on the brochure. This way the brochure can include the desired amount of information, while also looking appealing with more visuals for the audience. Again, the photo can stand by itself due to its simplistic meaning. The photo shows elderly people having fun, which also makes it appeal to the older generations. At the same time, it is of a group of people and thus the picture appeals to families and friends, by communicating a message of togetherness. As a result of appealing to a wide variety of viewers, it is a great type of visual to include. Lastly, the photo is easy to locate and is placed next to the benefits section making it in the optimal place.

               The last image is of an area along the trail from Six Mile to Clemson. The image serves the purpose of displaying what part of the trail path looks like. There is a tittle and caption that go with the picture, as well as a location of where the section of the trail goes on the map. As a result, it does not need to be numbered. Since the picture is original, it does not need to be cited. As far as meaning goes, the image could not stand by itself. However it does not need to since it is attached, by a line, to what it represents. It is easy to find and has an adequate amount of borders. Overall, it greatly qualifies for the type of picture needed for an additional picture on the map.

-Alex Whitman

Research update

            The research I have been assigned for this project has to do with convincing people that our proposed trails are a good thing. In the last progress update, I told everyone about the research I found on the benefits of trails. Building from that, getting people motivated about biking and hiking is easier once their desires are understood. As a result, the research I have been conducting for this week entails the wants of the people.

            I created the following survey to examine people’s wants of trails, which I plan to give out in the next few days;

1.)   What is your gender?

2.)   How old are you?

3.)   On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being seldom and 5 being very often, how frequently would you use trails to commute from place to place, given it was a reasonable distance?

4.)   On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being no affect and 5 being strongly affects, how would the accessibility of public restrooms affect your likelihood of using trails?

5.)   On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being very concerned and 5 being not concerned, how concerned would you be about the closeness between the side of the road and the trail path?

6.)   How much do you enjoy walking or biking outside, on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 meaning you find it dreadful and 5 meaning you find it very joyful?

7.)   On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being seldom and 5 being often, how often would you use trails by yourself, relative to how often you use trails now?

8.)   On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being far away and 5 being very close, close to businesses, such as gas station and fast food restaurants, would you like the trail to be?

9.)   On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being strongly against and 5 being strongly for, how much would you like to see mile markers?

10.)                   On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being unlikely and 5 being very likely, how likely would you use trails if it meant they were publicly maintained ? For example things like trash and litter would stay on the trails unless the people using them took care of it.

11.)                   If it cost the same to create trails out of any type of material, which of the following materials would you like the trails to be made out of: cement, rubber, dirt, gravel, or grass?

12.)                   Would you rather bike, walk, or run on trails?

These questions are designed to observe the desires of people based on their age group and gender. After I have conducted the study I will be able to appeal to all types of people and list benefits accordingly. This will make advertising the project to be more successful.

      In addition to finding the people’s interests, I’m assigned the task of finding out who we should contact about making the trails a possibility. The first step would be proposing our information to the mayor. The mayor of Six Mile, Roy Stoddard, can be contacted by email at roy_stoddard@sixmilesc.org. Also, we would need to arrange a meeting with the council, which could be done by calling 864-868-2653. The council also meets on the first Tuesday of every month, so we could propose our ideas at that time. This information was obtained from the following website: http://thetownofsixmile.wordpress.com/2010/08/20/hello-world/.

      In addition to communicating with the government of Six Mile, we would need to talk to the government of Clemson. To do that we would first need to arrange a meeting by contacting Mr. J. C Cook III at Mayor@cityofclemson.org or  (864) 653-2030. This information was found from http://www.cityofclemson.org/city/city-council. Overall in order to make the trails a reality, we would have to finalize all our information, including the funding, costs, benefit, people’s opinions, and our ideas about where the trails could be constructed. Then we could present it to the two city councils to discuss the possible growth and development of trail transportation.

-Alex Whitman