evaluation
Grades are based on a book review, a design analysis, a group project, and class participation. Your grade for this class will be based on a possible total of 1000 points; and your score will be directly translated into the 4.0 scale.
A. Book Review, 200 points
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 (some are now showing their age):
- 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 review should be delivered in digital format (the digital version will be shared on the class web site). Be thorough (800-1,000 words is a reasonable goal). Presentation (such as page layout and intelligent use of the return key) and spelling/punctuation/grammar are also considered in evaluating the book review. Before class, pleasae post to your blog a short blurb about what you are reading - title, author, why you picked the book and some key points/arguments.
Due TU 13 February via eSubmit
There will be a group activity where
students will share their thoughts about their books.
Preferred digital formats: HTML or PDF; use Word Doc if you want detailed editorial comment (comments will be turned "on").
B. Design Analysis, 200 points
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 a promo for a movie)
- a personal web site
In your analysis (three categories, one site per category - total, three sites), 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 (your words)
- Content type (static, dynamic, both)
- Types of social networking enabled by the site
- Dates viewed
You are "reversing engineering" design goals.
1) Identify three tasks and analyze site effectiveness at meeting them.
2) Determine at least three user tasks that should have been considered in the design (but which were NOT considered). Why do you believe these tasks should have been considered?
3) What are the major differences between the sites (genres) and why?
Due date: FR 2 March via eSubmit
C. Projects, 400 points
We will discuss student goals and the
Due date: TU 13 Mar
Preferred digital formats: TBD
D. Class Participation, 200 points
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 or blogged responses and discussion. Students
may also suggest questions for class discussion and receive participation credit.
There will be discussion leaders selected for in-class reading discussion. This is 40 points of the participation grade.
Students are to write a short (two-four paragraph) review of assigned readings or response to questions. Post those comments to your personal blog. Assignments will be evaluated on quality, timeliness, completeness. Each blog post is 10 points (total: 80 of the participation grade)
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.