Week 13 Competencies & Reflection

Competency (VI)

6.1 Determine factors that affect communication with the identified audience.

6.1.2 Identify the assets, needs, and characteristics of the audience that affect communication and message design (e.g. literacy levels, language, culture, and cognitive and perceptual abilities).

Summary: This week, my last week at the CARE Center, was focused on finalizing the pages of the early-stage care guide. We did this by printing out the pages and observing what could be changed based on the printing. We found that some pages looked a little overwhelming in terms of the amount of information on the page and the structure (6.1.2). We also found that some pages could have more graphics or pictures, so we added these accordingly.

6.4 Select methods and technologies used to deliver messages.

6.4.3 Develop communication aids, materials, or tools using appropriate multimedia (e.g. infographics, presentation software, brochures, and posters).

6.4.4 Assess the suitability of new and/or existing communication aids, materials, or tools for audience(s) (e.g., the CDC Clear Communication Index and the Suitability Assessment Materials (SAM).

Summary: For my last two days at the CARE Center, I worked to restructure some pages and add pictures and graphics where we saw fit (6.4.3). Once we did this, we collaborated with other CARE team members to hear their thoughts and feedback about the pages. We found that some information could be added, reworded, or taken out for clarity (6.4.4).

Reflection: What, So What, What Now?

Since this was my last week at the CARE Center, I spent most of my time hearing feedback about the final rough draft of the early-stage care guide. This feedback was helpful because I could better understand what changes could be made for clarity and readability of the target population. This is important because the goal of the new guide is to provide a great amount of information in a way that is not overwhelming, but still educational. Now that this rough draft is completed, more members of the CARE team will review it, and hopefully, this summer, it can be published for public use.