evaluation
Grades are based on a book review, a design analysis, a group project, and class participation.
A. Book Review, 20%
Select a book that is of particular interest to you. This is an opportunity
to provide a focus for your explorations this quarter. These are examples
of books students have read in prior quarters:
- The Art and Science of Web Design
- The Design of Everyday Things
- The Deadline: A Novel About Project Management
- The Humane Interface
- Information Architecture: Blueprints for the Web
- The Inmates Are Running the Asylum
- Pattern Approach to Interactive Design
- Information Anxiety (1 or 2)
- The Art of Interactive Design (recommended for game folks)
Prepare a cogent review that includes arguments in support of or against the theories and positions take by the author(s). Would you or would you not recommend this book to your fellow students; why?
The report should be delivered in both paper and digital format (the digital version will be shared on the class web site). There is no "number of pages" requirement, except to be thorough (1,000 - 1,200 words is a reasonable goal, however). Presentation (such as page layout and intelligent use of the return key) and spelling/punctuation/grammar are also considered in evaluating the report.
Due TU 14 February
There will be a group activity on the 14th where
students will share their thoughts about their books.
Preferred digital formats: HTML and PDF; use Word Doc if you want detailed editorial comment (comments will be turned "on").
B. Design Analysis, 20%
Analyze the design of three of the following:
- an e-commerce web site (must have online ordering)
- a government web site
- a media web site
- an entertainment web site (such as for a movie)
- a personal web site.
In your analysis (three sites, three categories), include the following information (narrative - not bullets!):
- Site name and URL
- Your name
- Subject: (from above list)
- Audience (your deduction)
- Goals (your deduction)
- Site description
- Content type (static, dynamic, both)
- Three user tasks (your deduction)
- Dates viewed
You are "reversing engineering" design goals.
1) Analyze site effectiveness at meeting the three tasks you have identified.
2) Determine at least three user tasks that should have been considered in the design (but which were NOT considered).
3) What are the major differences between the sites and why?
Due date: TU 14 March
C. Team
Project, 40%
TENTATIVE: The class will be one team and will develop a project
outline and statement of deliverables. The team will make presentations/reports
as the quarter progresses, culminating in a final presentation, which will
include storyboards. Team members will summarize their lessons learned, which
will include an analysis of each team member's contributions to the project.
Project ideas (inspiration):
- NYC24.org
- Native Journalist
- Covering North Korea
- The World and US
- Blood Saves
- Baltimore Stories
- Who Owns What? (whoownswhat.biz)
My Goals:
- A live site at the end of Spring quarter that students can use as portfolio work.
- A site that fulfills public service - something of interest in the community beyond the university.
Content:
- One series of spring quarter stories would be individual profiles of each team member. For example: Each student would interview another student in the class, make an audio recording of the interview, and take digital photos of the interview subject. The completed profile consists of a photo, a sound bite and text.
Due date: TU 14 Mar
Preferred digital formats: TBD
D. Class Participation, 20%
These points will be based both on participation in the classroom and through
e-mail. Occasionally, the instructor may pose a question or problem to the
class and offer participation points for e-mail responses and discussion. Students
may also suggest questions for class discussion and receive participation credit.
There may be discussion leaders selected for in-class reading discussion.
Students are to write a short (two-four paragraph) review of assigned readings or response to questions. Post those comments to your personal blog. You are allowed to "miss" one week's postings - either summary or comments - without penalty. Assignments will be evaluated on quality, timeliness, completeness.
There will be no midterm or final exams.
- 4.0 - 95-100
Exceptional work. Student performance demonstrates full command of course material and evidences a high level of originality and/or creativity - 3.9 - 90-94
Outstanding work. Student performance demonstrates full command of course material and exceeds course expectations by completing all requirements in a superior manner. - 3.7 - 87-89
Very good work. Student performance demonstrates above average understanding of the course material. - 3.5 - 84-86
Good work. Student performance demonstrates comprehension of the course material. - 3.2 - 80-83
Average work. Student performance demonstrates comprehension of the course material. - 2.8 - 77-79
Below average work. - 2.6 and below - 76 and below
Unacceptable work. Course work performed at this level will not count toward the MC degree. For the course to count towards the degree, the student must repeat the course with a passing grade.