Cross-cultural study website
Learn how to build your own website using free template-based website development tools! There's no HTML to learn! It's much easier than you think and you'll practice your new skills in this course. (As you approach graduation, you can use these skills to convert your resume into a website to market yourself to potential employers!)
The objective of your website is to present your cross-cultural comparative study. The content of your site, however, will be somewhat different than the content of your study. In other words, this is not an exercise in cutting and pasting from your report to a website. Websites are expected to deliver content in a more dynamic and quickly understandable manner than a written scientific paper. And, they can contain a greater depth of information (or access to information) than a 5 page research report. We will discuss the qualities of an effective website in class but as a consumer of web-based information, your understanding of the effectiveness of various approaches is essential.
Some examples of websites developed by students in a different course can be found here (click link).
I recommend that you use Weebly to develop your website. Their site and service (free) provides all the information you need to learn how to develop a website. We will not cover how to develop a website in class.
You can publish your website at any time prior to the date/time the final is due. Upload a link to your site on Blackboard as you have done with your Information Management System.
Note that points may be deducted from the total activity score within some criteria (e.g., for a failure to cite sources and follow applicable copyright laws), as noted below.
DUE DATE, TIME: The website (our final) is due Thursday, 8 May at 10:30 am. Late submissions will lose 10% of the total point value and will only be accepted for 24 hours after the Final is due - until 10:30 am 9 May 2014. I will not accept late submissions past that day/time.
Important - If you plan to publish your study to the web, you must delete the tradition/culture names from your site. We must be sensitive to the implications of our results for living descendants of the peoples we have studied. These websites are learning exercises, they likely contain many inaccuracies, and results are not peer-reviewed.
Alternatively, please put a password on your site and disclose the password next to your site name when you upload your document to Blackboard. Replace tradition/culture names with Tradition A, Tradition B, or similar.
The objective of your website is to present your cross-cultural comparative study. The content of your site, however, will be somewhat different than the content of your study. In other words, this is not an exercise in cutting and pasting from your report to a website. Websites are expected to deliver content in a more dynamic and quickly understandable manner than a written scientific paper. And, they can contain a greater depth of information (or access to information) than a 5 page research report. We will discuss the qualities of an effective website in class but as a consumer of web-based information, your understanding of the effectiveness of various approaches is essential.
Some examples of websites developed by students in a different course can be found here (click link).
I recommend that you use Weebly to develop your website. Their site and service (free) provides all the information you need to learn how to develop a website. We will not cover how to develop a website in class.
You can publish your website at any time prior to the date/time the final is due. Upload a link to your site on Blackboard as you have done with your Information Management System.
Note that points may be deducted from the total activity score within some criteria (e.g., for a failure to cite sources and follow applicable copyright laws), as noted below.
DUE DATE, TIME: The website (our final) is due Thursday, 8 May at 10:30 am. Late submissions will lose 10% of the total point value and will only be accepted for 24 hours after the Final is due - until 10:30 am 9 May 2014. I will not accept late submissions past that day/time.
Important - If you plan to publish your study to the web, you must delete the tradition/culture names from your site. We must be sensitive to the implications of our results for living descendants of the peoples we have studied. These websites are learning exercises, they likely contain many inaccuracies, and results are not peer-reviewed.
Alternatively, please put a password on your site and disclose the password next to your site name when you upload your document to Blackboard. Replace tradition/culture names with Tradition A, Tradition B, or similar.
Website evaluation criteria
Understanding
The most important requirement of any form of communication is that it must minimize confusion and create understanding. Poor sentence structure, grammar, and typographical errors diminish understanding. I expect you to make improvements to your study based on my comments on your written report. Maximum points: 5
Organization - Content
In what order does the viewer need to know and understand the different parts of your study? Some information or parts must precede or follow others parts so that you are understood. The amount of text or pages devoted to sections of your study should roughly equal the importance of the section or paragraphs for understanding your study. The 10 sections developed in your written study should be present (do not simply "cut and paste" -- this is a different medium than paper). Maximum points: 2
Organization - Design
The content should be approachable, visually appealing, and have the effect of stimulating curiosity and inviting inspection. First impressions are critical so carefully develop your home page. Use the opportunities of a dynamic web environment to maximum effect (e.g., use links, graphics, interaction). Maximum points: 2
Intellectual Contribution
Your website should make an original intellectual contribution through research or innovative thinking. Your research question should not be answerable with a cursory internet search. Your research must be more than a summary of the ideas and arguments of others. Tell readers why they should care about your study. Maximum points: 2
Photos, Figures, Tables, Text
All graphics must support your effort to explain your study. For each visual you provide, ask yourself: "is this necessary, does this promote understanding of my research problem or study?" Website photos etc. can also be used to maintain visual interest and to educate the viewer about the problem you are considering. The text should be readable; neither too small nor too large for your intended audience. Any photos, figures, etc. used on your site that are not your own must strictly follow legal requirements specified by the owners of the photos, etc. Most photos and figures require explanatory captions. Maximum points: 2
Sources
The sources (references/citations) you use provide the viewer with evidence of the rigor and veracity of your study. Unless the idea or information is the product of your original thinking or research, it must be cited. The most valuable sources you can provide will be peer-reviewed articles or books. The least valuable sources you can provide are from commercial websites or blogs developed with the intent to sell products or promote personal opinions. Maximum points: 2
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Suggestion: Have a friend go to your site and react to your design and content. Do they understand what you did? Did they find it insightful and interesting? Would they have clicked past it?
The most important requirement of any form of communication is that it must minimize confusion and create understanding. Poor sentence structure, grammar, and typographical errors diminish understanding. I expect you to make improvements to your study based on my comments on your written report. Maximum points: 5
Organization - Content
In what order does the viewer need to know and understand the different parts of your study? Some information or parts must precede or follow others parts so that you are understood. The amount of text or pages devoted to sections of your study should roughly equal the importance of the section or paragraphs for understanding your study. The 10 sections developed in your written study should be present (do not simply "cut and paste" -- this is a different medium than paper). Maximum points: 2
Organization - Design
The content should be approachable, visually appealing, and have the effect of stimulating curiosity and inviting inspection. First impressions are critical so carefully develop your home page. Use the opportunities of a dynamic web environment to maximum effect (e.g., use links, graphics, interaction). Maximum points: 2
Intellectual Contribution
Your website should make an original intellectual contribution through research or innovative thinking. Your research question should not be answerable with a cursory internet search. Your research must be more than a summary of the ideas and arguments of others. Tell readers why they should care about your study. Maximum points: 2
Photos, Figures, Tables, Text
All graphics must support your effort to explain your study. For each visual you provide, ask yourself: "is this necessary, does this promote understanding of my research problem or study?" Website photos etc. can also be used to maintain visual interest and to educate the viewer about the problem you are considering. The text should be readable; neither too small nor too large for your intended audience. Any photos, figures, etc. used on your site that are not your own must strictly follow legal requirements specified by the owners of the photos, etc. Most photos and figures require explanatory captions. Maximum points: 2
Sources
The sources (references/citations) you use provide the viewer with evidence of the rigor and veracity of your study. Unless the idea or information is the product of your original thinking or research, it must be cited. The most valuable sources you can provide will be peer-reviewed articles or books. The least valuable sources you can provide are from commercial websites or blogs developed with the intent to sell products or promote personal opinions. Maximum points: 2
********
Suggestion: Have a friend go to your site and react to your design and content. Do they understand what you did? Did they find it insightful and interesting? Would they have clicked past it?
