Module Information

Module Identifier

FM22220

Module Title

WEBSITE DESIGN ISSUES

Academic Year

2010/2011

Co-ordinator

Dr Daniel G J Chandler

Semester

Semester 2 (Taught over 2 semesters)

Other Staff

Mr Rhodri L Ap Dyfrig

Course Delivery

Delivery Type	Delivery length / details
Lecture	10 x 1 hour Lectures (5 per semester - fortnightly)
Practical	10 x 1 hour Workshops per semester (totalling 20 Hours)

Assessment

Assessment Type	Assessment length / details	Proportion
Semester Assessment	Essay (2500 words)	50%
Semester Assessment	Website and Critical Documentation	50%
Supplementary Assessment	Essay (2500 words)	50%
Supplementary Assessment	Website and Critical Documentation	50%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

1. Identify the strengths and weaknesses of major websites

2. Identify the extent to which form matches function in existing websites

3. Design a simple functional website appropriate to the purposes of a specific target user group

Content

The primary aims of this module are to encourage an awareness of effective website design, bearing in mind the key purposes of specific target audiences, and to develop practical approaches to such design. Most of the existing website design literature tends to offer 'universal' principles for effective web design but, as (for instance) market researchers will be quick to point out, what attracts and suits one audience will be quite inappropriate to another. Students will explore website design with a focus on this issue of matching sites to target audiences.

Brief description

Module Skills

Skills Type	Skills details
Application of Number	* Students will be given the opportunity to reflect upon basic statistical data (primarily presented in percentages), through encountering key research studies in the field.
Communication	* Students' written communication skills will be developed (e.g. appropriate language and style, accuracy, precision and ability to be concise). * Opportunities will be given through interactive lecture-workshop sessions for students to develop confidence in using their speaking and listening skills when communicating their ideas.
Improving own Learning and Performance	* Students will be able to develop their skills of information location and retrieval. * Students will be given opportunities to develop effective note-taking skills. * Students will develop their critical thinking skills. * Through group and whole class discussion students will be given opportunities to develop an awareness of the opinions of others and reconsider initial ideas if necessary.
Information Technology	* Students will be given the opportunity to develop their authorial and note-taking skills when planning and preparing for the written assignments, and will be encouraged to develop theirnote-taking skills in lectures. * Students will be given opportunities to develop their skills using electronic search and retrieval of sources both on the web and on the AU LIS. * Students will develop their skills when referencing from the web and related sources, and will focus on the selection of materials appropriate to task. * E-mail and Blackboard will be the main forms of communication and information-sharing in this module, so students will be encouraged to actively engage in these processes.
Personal Development and Career planning	* Students will be given the opportunity to evaluate current knowledge and skills and set targets for self-improvement. * Students will be encouraged to build upon the knowledge gained from lectures through developing skills in self study (supported by the general and specific reading lists and other resources distributed throughout the module). * Students will be encouraged to build upon the knowledge gained from lectures through developing skills in self study (supported by the general and specific reading lists and other resources distributed throughout the module).
Problem solving	* Students should be able to identify tensions and debates in the field, and will be encouraged to critically reflect. * Students should gain experience in applying different approaches and materials to understand data and other patterns in research, as well as to develop a website.
Research skills	* Students will be able to develop their skills of information location and retrieval. * Students will be given opportunities to develop effective note-taking skills. * Students will develop the ability to analyse, interpret, evaluate and integrate knowledge and understanding gained from a variety of sources whilst making links to accommodate new ideas.
Subject Specific Skills	* Students will be given the opportunity to develop basic technical knowledge in the design, construction and testing of a small website.
Team work	* Most sessions will involve group work where students will be able to collaborate through discussion.

Reading List

Recommended Text
Baggerman, Lisa (2001) Web Design That Works Rockport Primo search Brunisma, Max (2003) Deep Sites: Classic Principles of Cutting-Edge Web Design Thames & Hudson Primo search Forbes, Thom (2000) Webworks: Advertising - Not-So-Simple Basics for Web Designers Rockport Primo search Lynch, Patrick J. and Sarah Horton (2001) Web Style Guide Yale University Press Primo search Mumaw, Stefan (2002) Simple Web Design Rockport Primo search Nielsen, Jakob (2000) Designing Web Usability New Riders Primo search Nielsen, Jakob & Marie Tahir (2001) Homepage Usability: 55 Websites Deconstructed Prentice Hall Primo search Powell, Thomas (2000) Web Design: The Complete Reference Osborne/McGraw-Hill Primo search Veen, Jeffrey (2001) The Art and Science of Web Design New Riders Primo search

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5