Session 14/02/06
Task - to compare our thoughts on module assessment with the master criteria. First observation: The master criteria are much, much broader than what we considered - partly because we only looked at one learning objective. Second observation: Taking one strand, that of "Reading, Identification of concepts" and comparing it with what we as a group put together here it is apparent that we really weren't far off at all. The only addition the master criteria make is that the selection of 'sources' should be increasingly autonomous as the grade improves. I feel we took this for granted when we wrote our criteria since we never really expected sources of material to be provided for us.
posted by Ric @ 11:10 AM
5 comments
5 Comments:
More on the same thought. This bothers me! Speaking for myself, I have looked at numerous web-sites that claim to have all the answers with regard to web design. These web-sites claim to lay down rules for this and that - the 'golden rules' of web design. Only one problem. Are these people really experts??
One of the issues with the web as a resource for anything or anyone is that anyone can publish anything. There is no moderation, no editor etc. Therefore, anything read on the web, apart from "open source publishing" of legitimate academic documents, should be taken as just what it is - opinion. Where can one go for 'real' expert opinion??
Some apparently well informed sites I looked at are:
http://www.microsoft.com/mind/1096/webpub/webpub.asp
This site picks out the following features of a good website:
1. User control - ie not needing to rely on browser buttons.
2.Directness - MS interpret this as offering the user choices and then making sure only relevant further choices are displayed. This sounds good but is technically difficult.
3.Consistency - obvious really, making sure the same link or graphic on each page does the same thing.
4. Forgiveness - don't we all need it? Allowing a user to change their minds and backtrack.
5. Feedback - to the user. For example, telling them how many stages there are left to go to order a product or register etc.
6. Aesthetics - KISS, keep it simple and straight forward! MS do make the point that appearance will follow function and the type of info presented.
The site goes on in a similar vein. All good stuff - but Microsoft make software don't they?? What makes them such experts in web design??
http://www.2ebusiness.co.uk/DesignRules.htm
Another useful site with similar comments to what we all came up with earlier - again, no 'expert' status.
http://www.webdesignfromscratch.com/golden-rule.cfm
Here's a very good site with commonsense advice. From whom?
http://www.useit.com/
Or there is this - from 'web guru' Jacob Nielson. Worth looking at. At least the author has a reputation. Also, reading through the site shows plenty of good advice on 'usability' a buzz word that refers to the way users view your site. JN points out that this is often NOT the same way you view your own site.
Only one problem. JN's own website is hideous. Such appalling layout and use of colour that I wanted to run away. Subjective??
Interesting article here:
http://www.cio.com/archive/120101/online.html
Two 'experts' head to head - Guess what? They don't agree with each other. What can we learn from this????
Ah - perhaps I have an answer! I am designing a web site for someone at the moment. www.kidderminster-nights.org.uk
I don't personally like the idea of a 'splash screen' but - the client insisted so there it is. I hate it! BUT - I do what I'm told to by the client. QED!
Hi Ric
I think you have raised some interesting points here which we all need to consider.
Perhaps there is no such thing as a web expert as it all depends on your client and your users.
However I think there is some good evidence that web sites are more usable if particular structures are used and I am sure that any client would want people to be able to use their web site.
As you say if the client insists on such a thing as "splash screen" then unless this is particularly appropriate for their users then they will have to accept that they will lose people who cannot be bothered with the extra time involved in getting to the site or cannot cope with the navigation.
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