Hannah nailed it: the autoresponder e-mails and web site reminder/commentary were a form of Homogeneous Redundancy. You can read her comment for the full and accurate definition.
I'll admit, it's a definition that's hard to hold in your head for very long, but the easiest way to think about it is that the autoresponder email, and the posting I provided as a reminder and description of the process were redundant (not necessary, but added to help detect and correct errors). They're homogenous because there was more than one (similar) method involved. If I had all the time in the world, I might also go through the roll sheet to figure out who was missing the assignment and then call those who didn't get it in. But I'm not going to do that because of the Cost/Benefit Principle.
So why did I do it? Because I've learned from experience that dealing with errors ("I thought I turned it in - didn't you get it?!") is sometimes more time consuming than trying to address them before they occur. This is a critical principle in designed communications.
The other terms cited in the comments do apply in one way or another, but I thought Homogenous Redundancy was the most precise in this instance.
So, what's NUDGE? It's what I was trying to do with the extra credit. In this case, its a form of an INCENTIVE and FEEDBACK to alter or encourage a certain kind of behavior. I'm hoping that you will perceive some value in subscribing to and paying attention to the web site -and getting the (required) book. Moreover, I want to reward thoughtful and informed dialogue with one another, on this site, and in our class.
Will there be other incentives? Stay tuned.
Byron
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