Course Materials: CourseQuest 2
Skyscraper, Igloos, and Teepees:
Building a Home on the Web
What type of home will you build on the web? From huge skyscrapers to tiny teepees, you need to select the environment that will best meet the needs of your end users.
| Task | Process | Product | Evaluation | Conclusion |
Task
Our mission to create an effective, efficient, and appealing website for a specific library, school, classroom, museum, or other organization.
In order to accomplish this mission you need to learn about Information Architecture. You also need an efficient way to create a large website. You will be using Dreamweaver (or Nuv if you wish) as a tool to increase your efficiency. You may NOT use FrontPage.
Process
Anyone can create a website, but it takes planning to develop an effective, efficient, and appealing web-based environment.
Information architecture (IA) brings content and technical elements of web development together. Most information architectures following four general steps: investigation, analysis, design, and implementation. In this CourseQuest, you'll learn about the first three steps and create a website.
Step 1:
Information Architecture
Information Architecture is the art and science of identifying, organizing, and managing information for a particular need.
Go to the Information Architecture section of the website.
Read the Overview to Information Architecture as well as Definition of Information Architecture area.
Read Preface and Chapter 1: Defining Information Architecture in Information Architecture for the World Wide Web, 3rd edition by Peter Morville & Louis Rosenfeld.
Read The Information Architect.
Read Chapter 2: Practicing Information Architecture, Chapter 13: Education, and Chapter 15: Building an Information Architecture Team in Information Architecture for the World Wide Web, 3rd edition by Peter Morville & Louis Rosenfeld.
Read Libraries and Information Users.
Read Chapter 3: User Needs and Behaviors in Information Architecture for the World Wide Web, 3rd edition by Peter Morville & Louis Rosenfeld.
Read the Principles of Information Architecture including Organization, Labeling, Navigation, Search, and Metatdata.
Read Chapter 4: The Anatomy of an Information Architecture, Chapter 5: Organization Systems, Chapter 6: Labeling Systems, Chapter 7: Navigation Systems, Chapter 8: Search Systems, and Chapter 9: Thesauri, Controlled Vocabulary, and Metadata in Information Architecture for the World Wide Web, 3rd edition by Peter Morville & Louis Rosenfeld.
Hutmate Discussion 3 - Web Master Interview
Conduct an interview with a web master. This can be a person you know or someone you identify through email. For example, you might email the web master of a website you enjoy or use regularly. Your job is to investigate the information architecture coordinated by this web master. Be sure to learn about how content and technical decisions are made, how web accessibility issues are addressed, and how the website is maintained and updated. Share the results of your interview in a posting for the class. Be sure to include the URL of the website.
Guidelines:
Choose someone outside your "comfort zone". In other words, don't email your uncle in Seattle or your aunt in Toronto. Consider a government agency or other high quality, professional website.
You MUST complete this activity in a timely fashion. As such, consider developing a set of questions and sending them to 3-5 webmasters or more in case one doesn't come through.
Four areas are available for posting your Discussion assignment on Oncourse. Post your assignment in ONE area.
Be sure to reply to a posting made by another student. Share a reply in ANY area. Your reply should contain substance and an example, NOT just "cool site" or "I agree". You will receive up to 3 points for the Discussion activity: 2 points (2=excellent; 1=adequate) for your posting and 1 point for a quality reply.
Step 2:
First Stage in IA - Research
Your task involves developing a website for a particular group. Your first problem is to find a client. In other words, you need to find a group that needs a website. Start with your family and friends. Consider an area school or public library that doesn't have a website. Remember, it doesn't have to be a school or library, it could be a community center, non-profit organization, or technology lab. However, it should NOT simply be a personal or hobby website.
The first step in information architecture is research.
You could also look for a website that needs to be redesigned. Consider reaching beyond your community. Seek out a poor or rural school or library that might need your help. Send them an email asking if they'd like your help. You MUST develop a website for a REAL client.
Once you've identified a potential project, it's time to explore your client's needs. The first step in information architecture is research. Your job is to conduct a short investigation. It's up to you to decide what needs assessment tool(s) you might use (i.e., interviews, survey, observations). However, you must identify specific needs and be able to justify those needs with data. You also need to come up with a goal or purpose for your website. Finally, your website must go beyond links to other resources. What are the content needs? What original content will be developed?
Read the Research area of the Information Architecture section of the website. Then read the resources related to Context, Content, and Users.
Context : Purpose
Content : Content Analysis, Content Types, Content: Informational, Informational, Instructional, Promotional, Communication & Collaboration, Service and Management, Publishing, School Topics, and Library Topics.
Users : Audience, Needs Assessment Tools, Goal Identification, and Unique Content.
Step 3:
Second Stage in IA - Strategy
Once you've identified needs, it's time to focus on planning your website. What kinds of things could be included on the website? What will you choose to place on the website? How will your website be structured?
The second step in information architecture is strategy. Your job is to explore all the possible content that could be included in the website and begin narrowing your focus.
Complete the following activities to learn about the analysis stage of information architecture.
Read the Strategy area of the Information Architecture section of the website. Then read the resources related to Top-Down Approach, Bottom-Up Approach, Content Management, and Project Plan.
Step 4:
Third Stage in IA - Design
Now it's time to think about the website itself. How will the information be organized and presented? How will the website function? How will users interact with your materials? What software will be used to design your website? How will you select the most appropriate theme, layout, fonts, graphics, navigation, and other elements.
The third step in information architecture is design. Your job is to create a blueprint for the website.
Read the Design area of the Information Architecture section of the website related to Technical Design and Web Design . Then read the resources related to
Technical Design : File Management, Technical Standards, and Web Accessibility.
Web Design : Information, Communication, Web-based Environments, Pages, Organization, Navigation, Text, Graphics, Multimedia, and Interaction.
Step 3:
Development
It's time to produce your website. You have three choices for website development.
Option 1: XHTML Coding
You can develop your website from scratch using XHTML coding. This approach will take some time, but it will be clean and effective. In the long run, hand-code gets very slow. It's much more efficient to use coding along with a web development tool.
Opion 2: Adobe Macromedia Dreamweaver
I recommend that you can learn the web development tool called Macromedia Dreamweaver. This popular web development tool is used by many web developers.
For the purposes of this project, you may wish to use a trial version of Macromedia Dreamweaver. Purchase the following book.
Page, Khristine Annwn (2006). Macromedia Dreamweaver 8: Training from the Source. Berkeley, CA: Macromedia Press. ISBN 0-321-33626-7 (This book includes a FREE trial of Dreamweaver)
Use the step-by-step directions in this book and you'll have a website in no time! It should take you approximately 10-15 hours to develop the skills you need working through the book. This is the equivalent of 5 lab sessions. To increase your efficiency, NO required activities have been designed. Instead, work through the book's practice activities or build your own example.
Read the Web Development area of the Information Architecture section of the website.
Read Development Tools.
Read Dreamweaver.
Option 3: Nvu
A growing number of people are sing Nvu. This open source sofware is a good option if you don't have the money to purchase Dreamweaver. On the other hand, it lacks some of the features and functionality.
Use the step-by-step directions at the Nvu website and other online resources to learn the basics of this package.
Read Nvu and KompoZer.
What NOT to do
You may NOT use Microsoft Word, Publisher, or Front Page to create your site.
You may NOT use a template web builder such as Geocities to create your site. However, you can store your files on one of these services.
Hutmate Discussion 4 - Project Plan
Go to the Forum on Oncourse. Post your assignment in ONE area. Your posting should include a couple sentences about your web project and a link to your project plan web page.
Create a project plan web page and upload it to your web space. This project plan should include the following elements:
Discussion of primary and secondary audiences
Discussion of a needs assessment. The results of a needs assessment incorporating at least one of the following tools: survey, interview, case study, observation, data, and/or testing.
Discussion of website purpose and goals.
Explanation of unique contribution of website.
Description of the essential, special, dynamic, interactive, and duplicate content elements.
Inspiration Diagram (free trial version) of your organizational design. You can save the diagram as a JPG file and insert it or link to it on your planning page.
This is a REQUIRED discussion worth 1 Point.
Quiz 2
When you've read all the assigned readings, it's time to review what you learned and take a quiz.
Go to OncourseCL, select CourseQuest 2 Quiz. Check the Calendar for the dates when this quiz will be available.
Your Quiz is worth 5 points.
Product
Produce the web pages for your website. Post them to the web. Share your website with the class. This project is worth 30 points.
Your mission is to develop a web project that meets a need. You may choose to develop a library website, an educational website, or a combination of the two. It could also be a site for a nonprofit or other organization. The website should mix original content and information with links to outside resources. It should not be the redesign of another site, unless you start totally from scratch.
Combine your knowledge of information architecture (layout, design, navigation, branding, labeling, usability, accessibility, etc.), quality content (informational, instructional, and/or promotional), and your web development skills. Although we're suggesting that you use Dreamweaver, you're free to develop the site using raw code. You can also create your project in code.
Website
Your website must contain the following elements:
- Entry page
- At least eight additional pages that you own
- At least ten external links to websites or other documents you do not own
- At least three internal (or within page) links to sections of a page
- Cascading style sheet shared by all documents
- At least two tables
- At least five images
- An effective navigation system for moving within the website
- Link to project plan and diagram page
- Contact information
Content Component
The Website Evaluation Criteria will be used to evaluation your project. Your website should reflect the needs, goals, and content outlined in your plan. The content should reflect the needs and interests of your audience. The website should address the goals identified in your project plan. The content should be accurate. Original content should be provided along with links to other resources as needed. The content should be logically organized, unique, interesting, and meaningful.
Go to Content Ideas page for ideas.
Validation Component
XHTML and CSS Validation. Conduct a W3C validation for HTML and CSS.
Include icons from the validators and a link on the icon to the validator website.
Accessibility Validation. Conduct a HiSoftware® Cynthia Says™ test. Your page should be at least Section 508 accessible. If you have trouble meeting the requirements, not the specific errors you were not able to correct. Include an icon from the validator and a link on the icon to the validator website.
- Share your experience using the validator on your planning page. Include unresolved issues
- Provide evidence of all three validations including validation statements at the bottom of the page
Formative Evaluation Results
You must conduct a formative evaluation. You must include data (i.e., comments, observations, interviews) from at least 4-8 users. The subjects can come from inside or outside the class. A description of the formative evaluation process and results should be included somewhere at your website.
Overall
Your website should be well-designed, visually appealing, professional, and easy to use. It should be technically correct and all elements should work properly. Your website should reflect an effective use of Internet.
Go to the Course Activity Checklist for a checklist of all course activities.
The following links provide a few projects from prior semesters (keep in mind that they may not be up-to-date and requirements change):
- Black Author's Reading Advisory by Mary Schons
- Compassion 4 Kids by Joey Sample
- Hamilton Heights High School Library by Cindy Reed*
- KIDZ CLUB at Allen County Public Library by Deb Noggle
- Lafayette Farmer's Market by Tom Smith*
- LaSalle Academy Library by Kim Kronk
- The Library Helper Program for Hinkle Creek Elementary School by Hella Rumschlag
- Saint Lawrence Catholic Church by Michael Witt
When your project is ready, post the URL in the Hutmate Discussion 5: Project 2 Peer Evaluation forum.
Evaluation
The following criteria will be used to evaluate your website nomination web project. Be sure to carefully check your website before submitting for evaluation.
The website should contain the following elements. This project is worth 30 points.
Website (10 Points)
Your website must contain the following elements.
- Entry page
- At least eight additional pages that you own
- At least ten external links to websites or documents you do not own
- At least three internal (or within page) links to sections of a page
- Cascading style sheet shared by all documents
- At least two tables
- At least five images
- An effective navigation system for moving within the website
- Link to project plan and diagram page
- Contact information
Content Component (10 Points)
Your website should reflect the needs, goals, and content outlined in your plan.
- Content reflects audience and goals
- Content reflects goals
- Content accurate, original content
- Content well-organized
- Content unique, interesting, meaningful
Validation Component (3 Points)
Conduct XHTML, CSS, and Accessibility validations.
- Share your experience using the validator on your planning page. Address issues when possible and discuss unresolved issues
- Provide evidence of all three validations including validation statements at the bottom of the page
Formative Evaluation Results (4 Points)
Your website should include a detailed formative evaluation.
- Description of formative evaluation process
- Include specific data from at least 4-8 users
Overall (3 Points)
Your website should be well-designed.
- Visually appealing, professional, and easy to use
- Technically correct
- An effective use of Internet
Conclusion
Wow! You've created your own website. It's time to share it with the world. Be sure to register your website at various search engines, so others will be able to find it!
Hutmate Discussion 5 - Project 2 Peer Evaluation
Go to the Forum on Oncourse.
Post a message with a brief description of your project and your active URL.
Identify a student who does not yet have an evaluation of this project. Evaluate their project and provide specific feedback that might be useful in the revision process. If you wish to send the feedback personally through email rather than share it on the discussion, simply post a reply indicating that you've evaluated this project. This way, I can give you your point.
This is a REQUIRED discussion worth 1 Point. You must post your project URL and provide a peer evaluation.
| Task | Process | Product | Evaluation | Conclusion |