Browsing by Subject "website design"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
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    From desk to web: Creating safety nets in the online library
    (Association of College & Research Libraries, 2008) Veldof, Jerilyn
    This chapter discusses ways reference and instruction librarians can extend their reach beyond one-to-one encounters and employ their expertise in three ways: 1. To proactively identify and analyze the points in our virtual and physical libraries where users stumble and often give up on the library. 2. To create “safety nets” or support structures at those fail points that gently catch the users and help them on their way. 3. To design more formalized and course integrated e-learning modules that prepare students to navigate and successfully use online resources and services.
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    Front-end Study of User Preferences to Guide the Design of One Extension Website
    (University of Minnesota Extension, 2012-10) Shimek, Sarah; Meyer, Nathan; Ernst, Julie
    Extension programs are increasingly developing online education infrastructure, including substantial investments in creating interactive websites for target audiences. Front-end assessment of user preferences is one approach that Extension staff can use to ensure usability of these websites. A model study for the University of Minnesota Extension Driven to Discover: Authentic Inquiry through Citizen Science project (D2D) utilized structured interviews to assess preferences of a purposeful sample of nine potential users for a website. the website aims to connect professional scientists and adult leaders to strengthen authentic inquiry among youth members of citizen science research teams. Through an inductive coding approach to qualitative analysis, eleven primary themes and forty-nine associated sub-themes emerged from the participant responses, and were used to categorize research results and recommendations to guide the website design. In general, participants responded favorably to the creation of a proposed website to support inquiry work with youth, and saw potential for the site to facilitate connections with scientists. They reported interest in aspects of the proposed website that would support inquiry science through resources and tools, and help establish connections with professional scientists. Several participants expressed skepticism about the social networking features of the proposed website given the barriers of time, access to internet at project sites, and the extensive networking opportunities available either in-person or through existing social networking sites. Recommendations are being used to guide specific modifications to improve the planned website design. Moreover, the study approach proved effective and efficient for project staff, and positive for interview participants.