Jason Rhode, Ph.D.

As each of your continue working on developing your Web-based Learning Technology Respository site, I thought it would be helpful to provide links to some additional resources and readings related to the principles of web design. While this is not a course on web design or in-depth study of web development, those who are interested in digging a bit deeper into the fundamentals of these areas are welcome to do so. I’ve broken the resources below into groups based on various elements of the design process.

Planning a Web Site

• Web Style Guide: The Site Development Process
• Web Style Guide: Initial Plannning
• Webmonkey’s Crash Course in Information Architecture: Lesson 1
• Webmonkey’s Crash Course in Information Architecture: Lesson 2
• Webmonkey’s Crash Course in Information Architecture: Lesson 3

HTML Basics

• Make an HTML Document from Scratch
• HTML Cheatsheet
• HTML Basics Videos – YouTube
  Search with keywords “HTML basics” to find numerous videos related to the basics of HTML

Usability

• The Usable Web
• Value of Usability
• User Testing Techniques
• Hidden Keys to Reader Friendliness
• Use It
• Removing Stumbling Blocks by Usability Testing
• Practical Usability Testing

Accessibility

• Accessible Online Course Design
• Creating Printer-Friendly Documents for Your Online Course
• Making Educational Software and Web Sites Accessible
• Accessibility in Distance Education
• Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI)
• Web Accessibility Evaluation Tools

Evaluating Web Sites

• WWW CyberGuide Ratings for Web Site Design
• Rubric for Classroom Web Pages
• “Good Sites: A rubric for evaluating student sites”

Misc.

• ION’s Online Education Resources: Web Design

Have you found other great resources related to web design or web development? Post a comment and share them here! My ever-expanding collection of web design resources is available at delicious.com/jrhode/webdesign

Here are some resources that you might want to ask for as a holiday gift:

Empower English Language Learners with Tools from the Web
Lori Langer de Ramirez
Aligned with TESOL standards, this user friendly guide shows how teachers can use Web 2.0 tools to help English language learners build language build language proficiency. Readers will find descriptions of Web tools such as blogs, podcasts, and social networking sites; classroom-ready projects for K-12; and guidelines on safe and appropriate internet use.

Teaching with Author Web Sites, K-8
Rose Cherie Reissman, Mark Gura
Author web sites can easily be integrated into any classroom as a free, accessible resource for instruction, thus inviting students into a fascinating literary community. This book examines the web sites of favorite children’s book authors, offers activities for promoting literacy and class participation, and includes suggestions for math, science, and social studies.

Empowering Students with Technology: Second Edition
Alan November
Offering more than 50 web sites, plus practical lesson ideas, new resources, and real-life examples, this second edition helps educators expand classroom experiences and strengthens students; critical thinking, research, and problem-solving skills. Examines learning in a globally connected community; opportunities for learners with special needs; information literacy; applications for digital cameras and cell phones, and more.</p

Teaching in the Digital Age: Using the Internet to Increase Student Engagement and Understanding, Second Edition
Kristen J. Nelson
The author helps teachers encourage active student involvement through internet-based activities that focus on individual learning styles and reflect current brain research. This how-to book helps teachers generate projects on information gathering and analysis, interpersonal exchange, and problem solving, and also includes lesson plans, curriculum standards, and assessment rubrics.

Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms: Second Edition
Will Richardson
With updated research on web technology, a critical section on internet safety, and a new emphasis on information literacy with related links, this resource demystifies powerful internet tools for classrooms. The author provides definitions and explanations, teaching applications, and real-world examples for relevant, interactive learning.