Learning Anytime,Anywhere

Abstract

As the wealth of business information on the Internet increases, the development of online tools to assist patrons in effectively utilizing the information will become critical. Because the Internet provides information and delivers it, it offers significant opportunities for teaching interactive research strategies at anytime, day or night, and from anywhere patrons have an Internet connection. This paper discusses the design of a step-by-step, interactive tutorial on researching companies online (http://home.sprintmail.com/～debflanagan/index.html) and provides tips and techniques for developing similar tutorials for the Web.     

User-Centered Design in Practice: The Brown University Experience

ABSTRACT

This article presents a case study in user-centered design that explores the needs and preferences of undergraduate users. An analysis of LibQual+ and other user surveys, interviews with public service staff, and a formal American with Disabilities Act accessibility review served as the basis for planning a redesign of the Brown University Library's Web site. Three testing phases were conducted: individual usability testing of the existing site and baseline data collection on Web use preferences; focus groups to respond to a functional prototype and search prototypes; and individual usability testing and interviews on revised functional prototypes. The delicate task of obtaining staff buy-in without letting their opinion drive the redesign was accomplished by keeping the project team small and nonrepresentational, submitting all conflicts to user testing, and promising an intranet that would meet the specialized needs of staff. A commitment to experimentation and a willingness to jettison design and functional elements which did not meet user approval kept the design process agile and flexible. Prototype testing of a variety of search options clearly demonstrated that the lack of integration in a library's information system makes it difficult to rationalize and optimize the user's search experience. Difficulties enlisting staff to edit existing Web content were solved by outsourcing content review and editing for Web-appropriate length and format. Except for this content review, the Web site redesign and usability testing were all conducted in-house with limited resources and a nine-month time-frame. The study's focus on user expectations and nomenclature largely confirmed the results of previous studies.     

The North Carolina State University Libraries Search Experience: Usability Testing Tabbed Search Interfaces for Academic Libraries

Creating a learnable, effective, and user-friendly library Web site hinges on providing easy access to search. Designing a search interface for academic libraries can be particularly challenging given the complexity and range of searchable library collections, such as bibliographic databases, electronic journals, and article search silos. Library Web designers must decide whether to present users with a single search interface—one that searches across content silos by default—or to offer an interface that exposes the various silos available. Designers must also contend with the user's entire search experience and determine how search should appear on the library home page as well as in global navigation systems. In the spring of 2010, the North Carolina State University Libraries sought to answer search design questions for an upcoming Web site design effort. The Libraries evaluated two different search interfaces to determine whether a tabbed search approach with options to pre-select silos is an effective design for end users. Findings show that a tabbed search interface is an effective design device for presenting multiple silos. This study outlines the methods the North Carolina State University Libraries used to conduct usability testing as well as observations, findings, and recommendations about effective design of search on academic library Web sites.     

Side by Side: What a Comparative Usability Study Told Us About a Web Site Redesign

Library Web sites must compete against easy-to-use sites, such as Google Scholar, Google Books, and Wikipedia, for students’ time and attention. Library Web sites must therefore be designed with aesthetics and user perceptions at the forefront. The Music and Performing Arts Library at Urbana-Champaign's Web site was overcrowded and in much need of a user-focused redesign. This article presents a usability study that compared participants’ use of the old site versus the new site to determine if performance improved on the redesigned site. Participants were asked to complete library-related tasks on both the old Web site and on the redesigned Web site to determine if they could both complete more tasks and complete tasks more quickly on the new site. Participants showed a marked improvement on the new site, and their “think-out-loud” responses to the tasks helped further improve site design and wording. Participants were also surveyed about their perceptions of ease of use and navigation on the old and new sites, and in general, the new site was preferred by participants and seen as a great improvement. Future studies will aim to further involve students and faculty in addressing terminology and site organization.     

The Perfect Storm: Examining User Experience and Conducting a Usability Test to Investigate a Disruptive Academic Library Web Site Redevelopment

Abstract

The researchers conducted a task-based usability test of the effectiveness of online research beginning on the library Web site homepage. The participants included five university faculty members, six graduate students, and six undergraduate students. All participants reported feeling satisfied with their overall research experience, though most were unable to effectively complete all the research tasks of the test. The researchers identified weaknesses in the approach and process of many participants, and overall usability issues of the library discovery tool and other library Web site pages and research interfaces. Findings indicate the need to strategically incorporate self-service information literacy and research skills help into the library Web site, and to implement navigation and design changes to the library homepage, discovery tool interface, online catalog, and across all the library's Web services.     

视频网站自制电视剧的传播路径分析

视频网站自制剧在现今多元的传媒环境下作为一种新的传播现象脱颖而出,自制剧已成为视频网站在电视剧同质化严重、电视剧版权高企状况下的创新和出路之一。为探讨其独特的传播路径与成功模式,从传播学视角出发分析视频网站自制剧之电视剧的投拍模式、播放渠道、盈利特点,研究其生存现状,并试图探索其发展趋势,以期为视频网站自制电视剧传播提供一些借鉴。     

基于Multisim的二十四进制计数器的设计和仿真

Multisim是知名的EDA软件之一,用它可以准确地对电路进行设计和分析。在Multisim环境下,设计了二十四进制计数器,并进行了仿真作为例子。结果表明,使用Multisim软件可以方便搭接电路,完成仿真效果,不仅可以提高设计效率,而且可以保证设计质量。     

当前我国城市群众足球运动发展特点及策略研究

运用文献资料法、调查法及数理统计法,对我国城市群众足球运动发展情况进行调查分析.从参与者性别、组织性质、活动方式、场地设施等方面揭示其发展特点和规律,并从加强体育主管部门指导、完善基层组织建设、创新运动形式、完善场地设施等角度提出针对性策略,旨在为推动群众足球科学发展及全民健身进程提供参考.     

浅谈C语言的教学

C语言是大多数学生学习的第一门计算机语言,因此,如何让一名初学者深入理解和掌握程序设计中的基本思想,领悟程序设计的思路,掌握程序设计的方法是讲授这门课的重中之重。     

浅析PHP加密技术在网站安全方面的应用

PHP语言是当前网站开发最热门的语言之一,越来越多使用PHP语言开发的网站涌现在了互联网上。但是由于安全意识的缺乏以及攻击手段的层出不穷,PHP网站所暴漏出来的安全性问题也越来越多,本文主要就PHP中内置的加密函数在网络安全中的应用进行叙述。