Trouskova_olga_instructions Assignment Final Draft

Olga Trouskova 1 Instructions Assignment

Building a “Walking Bridge” ~*~

Olga Trouskova Instructions Assignment Professional and technical Writing ~*~

Olga Trouskova 2 Instructions Assignment

TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction

..............................................................................................................................3

Description of Equipment and Materials How to download software and the basics of its navigation and use ............. 3-4 Visual representation of materials (Logo pieces) ................................................... 5

Caution and Warning Caution and Warning .................................................................................................. 5

Directions/Instructions for Building the “Walking Bridge” Model Building the first layer ............................................................................................. 6-7 Building the second layer............................................................................................ 7 Building the third layer ........................................................................................... 8-9 Building the fourth layer ..................................................................................... 10-11

Appendix Memo ........................................................................................................................... 12

Olga Trouskova 3 Instructions Assignment Building a Lego “Walking Bridge” Introduction The instructions will guide you though the construction of a ―walking bridge‖ model though the Legal Digital Designer website. The following instructions were designed for college students who are already familiar with the use of computers and the Internet. The users of these instructions should be able to utilize the online Lego Digital Designer website after a brief introduction to its usage. Furthermore, the instructions are meant to guide the users through the construction of a specific model—the ―Walking Bridge.‖ Not following the instructions could result in the creation of a distinct model with different characteristics. Description of Equipment and Materials To build the ―Walking Bridge‖ structure, it is first necessary to download the Lego Digital Designer. The Lego Digital Designer software can be downloaded for free from http://ldd.lego.com/ by clicking on “Download LDD” and following the subsequent instructions to complete the download.

Olga Trouskova 4 Instructions Assignment It is crucial to know how to use through the tools and features in the downloaded software. The following features are used often in the construction of the model (see below image for their locations):         

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To copy pieces: Click on the clone icon/tool, then click on the piece that you want to copy To move pieces: Click on the select icon, then click and hold on the desired piece. To select a piece: Use the select icon to choose a piece from the Brick Palette shown on the left (below) To place a piece in a specific location: Once the piece has been selected, move it towards the desired location, and click on that location To delete a piece: Click on the delete icon, then click on the piece you want to delete To rotate the model: Use arrows on the circular icon on the screen To rotate a piece: Click on the chosen piece, then use the arrows on your keyboard to rotate the piece in the desired direction To choose a color for a piece from the Palette To change a color of a piece in the model: Click on the paint tool/icon, then click on the piece you want to modify and choose the color from the pop out window To zoom in our out: Use the + or – on the circular icon

To select To copy To delete

To rotate; to zoom in/out

Olga Trouskova 5 Instructions Assignment You will need the following pieces to construct your model. Each piece is found in a specific category, which will be mentioned in the instructions.

Round brick

Fabuland Standard

Brick with Bow

Brick 2x10

Brick 2x6 Fence 1x4x2

Brick 2x8

Categories: count from left to right

Olga Trouskova 6 Instructions Assignment Caution/Warning 

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It is important to use the select arrow to choose pieces. If the delete icon was previously used, it is important to choose the select arrow. Otherwise, you will delete every piece that you will select with the arrow. The pieces that you will be using can all be found in the Brick Palette tool, which contains 24 expandable categories (counted from left to right). To ensure that all the pieces have been placed in the correct location and angle, rotate the model. This will allow you to view the model from different angles. It is crucial that you work within the squares of the platform –this will help you build the structure straight rather than crooked and to accurately measure distances between different components of the model Do not forget to periodically save your work

Directions/Instructions for Constructing the Model: It is easier to construct the model by following the instructions for each of the four layers of the model. Please consult the graphs for a visual representation of the construction of each layer in the model Building the first layer: 1. To begin using the program, first open the program and then chose the “ Choose Free Build” option. This option will allow you to build a model of your own rather than to build from a pre-built model. NOTE: Remember that categories are counted from left to right. 2. In the palette, expand and select the category 7 select Brick and Bow 1x6x2 (LIGHT GRAY color) within the category NOTE: Place your Lego pieces within the squares of the platform so it would be easier to construct a straight model 3. Move this piece to approximately the middle of the platform and place it there with the correct orientation (see figure 2)

Figure 2

Olga Trouskova 7 Instructions Assignment 4. 5. 6. 7.

Align and place another Brick and Bow piece next to the first one Using the clone and select tools to copy the two pieces Paste the new set approximately 3 squares away from the initial set Copy again and paste the second new set approximately 3 squares away from the initial set (see figure 3)

Figure 3

Building the second layer: 8. Choose and expand category 1  select the Brick 2 X 6 (DARK GRAY) from the palette 9. Attach the brick over the Brick and Bow set. Do this three times (you should have one brick on top of each Brick and Bow set) (see figure 4).

Figure 4

Olga Trouskova 8 Instructions Assignment Building the third layer: 10. Choose and expand category 1  select Brick 2 X 8 Brick (DARK BLUE) NOTE: Please see figure 5 to visualize the exact placement/orientation of the brick piece. Also try rotating the structure to ensure that pieces have been completely attached

Figure 5

11. Attach the brick over the previously constructed second layer (see figure 5) 12. Attach two of the same bricks next to the first brick (see figure 6)

Figure 6

Olga Trouskova 9 Instructions Assignment 13. Select category 1 select 2 X 10 Brick (DARK BLUE) 14. Attach this new brick over the second layer (see figure 7)

Figure 7

15. Attach two more of the same bricks next to the first brick (your third layer should be complete by this point) (see figure 8)

Figure 8

Olga Trouskova 10 Instructions Assignment Building the fourth layer: 16. Select category 11 select Fence 1X4X2 (BLUE color) 17. Arrange 8 fences on top of the third layer, as shown in figure 9

Figure 9 ―Opening‖

18. Select category 15 select the Fabuland Standard (looks like a tower) 19. Place one Fabuland Standard in one of the ―openings‖ between the fences 20. Place the second Fabuland Standard in the other ―opening‖ between the fences (see figure 10)

Figure 10

Olga Trouskova 11 Instructions Assignment 21. Select category 2 select round brick (TRANSPARENT LIGHT BLUE color) 22. Place one round brick on top of the Fabuland Standard. Place another round brick on top of the second Fabuland Standard (see figure 11) 23. Congratulations! You are done with your model!

Figure 11

Olga Trouskova 12 Instructions Assignment Appendix To: Mr. Anthony F Arrigo From: Olga Trouskova Date: February 13, 2009 Subject: User testing feedback and the changes that have been made in response to this feedback I have completed two user tests of my instructions for the construction of my model (―Walking Bridge‖). The purpose of these two users tests was to determine the effectiveness and clarity of my instructions manual. Based on the feedback given to my by these two users (college students), I have modified my instructions to accommodate their recommendations. Flaws in wording and organization were revealed and appropriate changes have been made, as it is described below. User Testing Process Two college students (both 21 years old) were provided with a computer and access to the Internet on February 13, 2009. They were provided with a hard copy of the instructions manual and instructed to speak out loud about any difficulties they might encounter in its use. Their complaints, difficulties, and suggestions were recorded. The room in which the testing took place was quiet with minimal amount of distractions that could potentially affect understanding of the instructions. Feedback from Users The instructions should be simple, concise, and well-organized. Unnecessary words should be eliminated or replaced with symbols such as arrows in order to reduce wordiness. For example, instead of writing ―In the palette, find the brick 2X6 in the first category and choose the red color for this piece,‖ write ―Select category 1 Brick 2X6 (RED). From the example mentioned above, it is also evident that users like to see bolded words/phrases. This technique helps readers find and remember the most important information, and it is especially helpful in a paragraph that has a lot of text. Instead of placing images/figures on separate pages, the images/figure should be placed right after the step that they are referring. Users do not want to go from one page to another, looking for information that they need to complete the step. They want it all in one place. So, each step in the instructions should contain all the information needed to complete the model. In other words, the information should not be ―scattered‖ all over the place. Occasional reminders should be included in order to reminder the user of important hints or warnings. Users tend to forget details that were mentioned earlier in the model. Occasional reminders prevent users from making mistakes. Changes Made to the Instructions Based on the feedback provided from my users, I rearranged my figures/images and placed them after the step they referred to rather than on a separate page. The descriptions of the locations of each Lego piece was also incorporated into the steps rather than placed on a separate page at the

Olga I Trouskova

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Olga Trouskova 13 Instructions Assignment February 13, 2009

beginning of the manual. Users prefer to have all of the information in one place rather than scattered throughout the manual. I replaced some words with arrows or numbers in order to eliminate wordiness. I also bolded words in my warning/caution section in order to help the user recognize the main point of each paragraph in this section. Important key words in my steps were also bolded, helping users remember these key words—such as the color of the piece or the category in the palette. Please read over my instructions manual. I am open to any additional changes you might suggest.