Research: Users: Unique Content

There are zillions of websites. How will yours be unique? Every school site contains lists of links by subject area. Most library sites contain electronic reference resources. Beyond the basics, what original information will your website provide?

If you work in a school environment, what are your current mandates or initiatives. If you're focusing on reading, maybe publishing an online ezine of student short stories is a possibility. You could even record audio so students could read and listen to the stories. How about encouraging younger students to illustrate the short stories? Get students or volunteers involved with content development as part of a standards-based program.

If you work in a library setting, consider your mission. What information needs might be specific to your local area? If you live in a rural community, you might consider a forum related to agricultural issues. Contact your local environmental and historical associations. Consider building an archive of local historical documents or photographs. Develop a virtual field trip of a local museum or seashore that could be shared on the web.

Brainstorm some ways you might collect information during your investigation. Use at least one of these techniques to assess the needs of your clients. Distribute a survey, conduct an interview, explore existing web resources, or use some other data collection approach.

Learn More

Making Web Space for Young Adults: Issues and Process a Case Study of the Internet Public Library Teen Division by Samantha Bailey and Sara Ryan. Although written a few years ago, this article provides a nice overview to the process of building a teen focused web presence.