A1. Key Tools
The main menu links on the site are divided into 3 groups:
Main links
Sublinks
Secondary links
(1) Main links
News - latest site developments, new tools, etc.
Themes - different types of teaching approaches
Courses - list various online courses offered by Concord
Publications - recent publications and archived searches
About - one page message about Concord
Contact - online submit form aloung with email address and phone number (very good)
You'll notice in the graphic above that the current page you are on is denoted by that link having a larger/bolder font.
(2) Sublinks
Each of the Main links have sublinks associated with them. This helps keep the page clean without cluttering it with links. It also sections content so that users can visit a certain section of the page using the Main links, then be presented with more associated links to other content relevant to the Main link title.
(3) Secondary links
These links are present on every page in the RIGHT-SIDE menu. They are parts of the site worth viewing but are not considered main/everyday content. The most important links to the user are put in the Main links, these secondary links are not really associated with any of the Main links (like the Sublinks are) but are still important content to place on the site.
Below are screen shots of all the main link pages:
Red - TOP (logo & Search)
Blue - Main links
Green - Sublinks
Brown - Secondary links
Purple - Login/Sign-up
Light Blue - BOTTOM (text links, copyright, etc.)
Grey - Content
News
Themes
Courses
Publications
About
Contact
A2. User Profile
The Sign-up/Login is always present in the RIGHT-SIDE menu. This makes it easy for new users or returning users to sign-up or login respectfully.
When signing up, it only asks for your email. Then an email is sent to that account with your user name (your email address) and a random password. You're then expected to come back to the site, login, and add/update/change your account info. I think this is too many steps. We should allow the user to create their account with their own username and password from the start and get some profile information from them at the begining. Of course they will be able to go back and change it later if necessary.
Once logged in, the page displays your username and allows for 3 options:
Download Software
Mailing List Subscriptions
Update Information
Download Software
This link brings you to a page with links to all the educational software developed by Concord.
Mailing List Subscriptions
A check list that allows you to check/uncheck (subscribe/unsubscribe) from various newletters provided by COncord.
Update Information
Allows you to update your profile info.
Profile Information
First Name
Last Name
Address
City
State (US Residents)
Zip (US Residents)
Province (International)
Postal Code (International)
Country
Telephone
Category (please specify)
There are also 2 additional links to recognize (see second circled links in the pic above):
Login Info
Logout
Logout is self explainitory
Login Info allows you to change your default username and password.
B1. First Time Users
Sign-up/Login apparent on every page as shown above. HOWEVER, once user is signed in, the same Sign-up/Login choice appears on every page. I would recommend those links be changes with something like "Edit Account".
See below for number descriptions.
(1) A short description of the project is given on the home page. This allows a new user to read it quickly and get a good idea of what the site is about.
(2 & 3) Headlines the most important features of the site for that month as well as relevant news articles about the site.
(4) A pull down menu with current projects is on the home page which allows a new user to jump to a specific project immediatley if that is what they came to the site for.
(Not Shown) A serch function is present that the very top of the page. Makes it easy to find and easy to use for those users (new or old) that don't want to traverse the site looking for something.
No spalsh or introduction movies are present on this site. The layour is easy enough to navigate there really isn't a need for one. Nor is there an FAQ readily present (there may exist one specific to a sublink that I have yet to visit).
B2. Multimedia
None.
B3. Other Artifacts
Links to publishers of books/publications produced by Concord.
Links to the web sites of current projects at Concord.
Links to web sites of articles written by Concord (their @CONCORD site).
PDF link to: Printable version of the full Concord Consortium e-Learning Model for Online Courses
C1. Professional Development Services Teachers
Netseminar online courses. These courses require the Blackboard software (http://www.balckboard.com) as well as hard copy readings sent via snail-mail. They include a syllabus, lesson plans, and relevant publications. There is a registration fee for each online course.
Also a link is provided to http://www.blackboard.com, a company that produces educational/instructional software.
They also offer a link to additional courses about e-Learning offered by Metacourse (http://www.metacourse.com), a spin off company of the Concord Consortium.
A link to Metacourse in Spanish is provided as well.
C2. Linking Teachers To One Another
The Blackboard software is what handles the online interaction of teachers. I'll have to research that seperately for that portion of the purposed research questions.
D1. What is powerful, exciting, memorable about the site?
SImplicity is the key here. That in itself can be very powerful. The site is very clear and spaced openly. Nothing really "exciting" has caught my eye here.
D2. What do they have that DITC should include?
The code makes use of Dublin Code standards which is helpful in search tools and site description. They may also prove helpful in a site site search (I'll have to speak to Paul about how his site search is implemented).
Concord has a lot of affiliates with which to link to without taking the user outside of the scope of their site. Outside links are good, very good, they add depth to the site. But too many takes a user away from your site and leaves them exploring someone elses site more. I would recommend the use of affiliate links, but link to specifc pages with specific information that will allow a user to read what they need to, then come back to us.
Link to this Page
Website Review Outline last edited on 29 August 2002 at 11:56 am by dhcp42.mobile.cc.gt.atl.ga.us
