PROJECT REFLECTION
Before I started doing any work on this website, I set out a mission: to create a webpage that nurtures viewer learning and interest in avian influenza. At the time, I knew very little about avian influenza and had little knowledge of XHTML, the language that I used to program this website. A month and a half later, the website is complete beyond my wildest expectations and I have learned a lot about avian influenza. I have overcome a lot of obstacles, and now it is time to reflect upon my work.
I chose to make a website about avian influenza for many different reasons. I felt that I could reach a greater audience through a website. But, more importantly, making a website involves many different aspects; from gathering images to writing up content to coming up with the overall design. Being able to see everything come together was my main inspiration. There were times when the XHTML code wouldn't come out the way I wanted it to, but I continued to work at it, and in the end it always ended up working.
Everyone in the world has heard about avian influenza, whether on TV, in newspapers, or on the radio. However, when you hear about the latest H5N1 deaths, or the desperate rush for Tamiflu, you have a general idea of what is going on, but you probably do not have the history or the substance behind the current bird flu events occurring. When I first began researching avian influenza, I believed that it was mainly a current event and I thought it would not be too difficult. As I continued my research, I discovered that there was a lot more to the bird flu than meets the eye, and as a result, I understood the avian flu events happening today. Avian influenza's rich background and history led me to create a resource about avian influenza that tells the full story. I intended for viewers to get a complete picture of avian influenza, including history, basic facts, current events, molecular information, future scenarios, etc. After completing this website, I had a broad understanding of what avian influenza is and I hope people will feel the same way after viewing this website.