Web-Based Instruction: A Guide for Libraries

Web-Based

Instruction

A Guide for Libraries

Susan Sharpless Smith

AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION

Chicago and London

2001

Susan Sharpless Smith, technology team leader for the Z. Smith Reynolds Library at

Wake Forest University in Winston–Salem, N.C., leads the planning, development,

implementation, maintenance, and evaluation of the library’s technology activities.

Prior to assuming this position, she was the library’s electronic resources librarian, and

in this capacity her responsibilities included managing and authoring the reference

department’s Web site and participating in the provision of library instruction. Her

interest in Web-based library instruction emerged when studying for her MA in Edu￾cational Technology Leadership at George Washington University, where her focus of

study was on the development of educational Web sites. She teaches classes for fac￾ulty, students, and staff on a wide range of topics relating to technology, including

Web authoring and design. Smith participates regularly in regional and national con￾ferences, speaking on a variety of technology issues. She currently chairs the North

Carolina Library Association’s Technology and Trends Round Table.

While extensive effort has gone into ensuring the reliability of information appearing in

this book, the publisher makes no warranty, express or implied, on the accuracy or relia￾bility of the information, and does not assume and hereby disclaims any liability to any

person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions in this publication.

Trademarked names appear in the text of this book. Rather than identify or insert a trade￾mark symbol at the appearance of each name, the author and the American Library Asso￾ciation state that the names are used for editorial purposes exclusively, to the ultimate

benefit of the owners of the trademarks. There is absolutely no intention of infringement

on the rights of the trademark owners.

Netscape Communicator browser window © 1999 Netscape Communications Corp. Used

with permission. Netscape Communications has not authorized, sponsored, endorsed, or

approved this publication and is not responsible for its content.

The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of American

National Standard for Information Sciences—Permanence of Paper for Printed Library

Materials, ANSI Z39.48-1992.
∞

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Smith, Susan Sharpless.

Web-based instruction : a guide for libraries / Susan Sharpless Smith.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 0-8389-0805-5

1. Library orientation—Computer-assisted instruction. 2. Web sites—

Design. 3. Library information networks. I. Title.

Z711.2.S59 2001

005.7'2—dc21 2001022050

Copyright © 2001 by Susan Smith. All rights reserved except those which may be

granted by Sections 107 and 108 of the Copyright Revision Act of 1976.

Printed in the United States of America.

05 04 03 02 01 5 4 3 2 1

Contents

Figures vii

Acknowledgments xi

Acronyms xiii

Introduction 1

The Problem with Traditional Bibliographic Instruction 1

Why Use Web-Based Instruction? 2

When Is Web-Based Instruction Inappropriate? 3

The Effectiveness of Web-Based Instruction 3

What Can you Expect from This Book? 4

1 Library Instruction on the Web 5

Characteristics of Good Library Instruction 5

Types and Examples of Web-Based Library Instruction 6

2 Design and Development Cycle 15

Preproduction 15

Production 22

Publication 22

Postproduction 23

Testing and Evaluation 24

Project Management 24

iii

3 Selecting Project Development Tools 28

User Constraints 28

Development Hardware 32

Authoring Software Programs 40

4 Designing the User Interface 53

User-Centered Design 54

Instructional Design and Content 54

Basic Guidelines and Principles for User-Interface Design 59

Navigation 61

Screen Layout and Presentation Aids 72

Visual Design Considerations 75

User Accessibility 92

Page Optimization 95

5 Multimedia: Using Graphics, Sound, Animation,

and Video 97

Multimedia and Instruction 97

Types of Multimedia 105

6 Interactivity 136

Categories of Interaction 136

Interactivity Methods 140

Interactivity Languages and Technologies 156

Interactivity Development Tools for Nonprogrammers 166

7 Evaluation and Testing 170

Why, What, and How Much Evaluation? 170

Categories of Evaluation 171

Evaluation Methods 172

Content Mastery 177

Resources 179

Accessibility 179

Animation 179

Applications for Building Interactivity 180

Audio 180

Browser Compatibility 181

iv CONTENTS

Cascading Style Sheets 181

Clip Art 181

Colors 181

Communication Tools 181

Course Shells 181

Design and Development Cycle 182

Evaluation and Testing 182

Glossaries 183

Graphics 183

Image Optimization 183

Library Instruction on the Web 183

Markup Languages 184

Multimedia 184

Navigation 184

Page Optimization 184

Research Literature 184

Rollovers 185

Script Languages and Web Interaction Technologies 185

Script Libraries 186

Selecting Development Tools 186

SMIL 187

Streaming Media 187

Typography 187

User Interface Design 187

Video 187

Virtual Experiences 188

Web Development Sites 188

Web Editors 188

CONTENTS v

1.1 General Research and Reference Skills Tutorial 7

1.2 Online Catalog Research Skills Tutorial 8

1.3 Database- and Software-Specific Search Skills Tutorial 9

1.4 Subject- and Course-Specific Research Skills Tutorial 10

1.5 Assignment-Specific Research Skills Tutorial 11

1.6 Internet Skills Tutorial 12

1.7 General Library Orientation Tutorial 13

1.8 Information Literacy Course 14

2.1 The Design and Development Cycle for Web-Based Instruction 16

2.2 Potential Comparison Criteria for Evaluation of Web-Based

Instruction 19

2.3 Script Outline for Research 20

2.4 Sample Flowchart 21

2.5 Gantt Chart for a Web Project Using Microsoft Project Software 25

3.1 Browser Chart from Webmonkey 30

3.2 Netscape Netcenter’s Web Site Garage Browser-Compatibility

Check 31

3.3 Netscape Netcenter’s Web Site Garage Page-Load Time Check 32

3.4 Web Page Viewed in Code-Based Editor HomeSite 41

3.5 Web Page Viewed in WYSIWYG Editor Macromedia

Dreamweaver 42

3.6 Web Page Viewed in Code-Based Editor First Page with Layout

View 43

3.7 CorelDRAW Illustration Software for Vector Graphics 45

3.8 Macromedia Director Interactive Multimedia Authoring Software with

Time Line 49

3.9 Blackboard’s Free Service to Create an Online Course 51

4.1 Pop-up Window to Present Additional Information 57

4.2 CNET’s Window Builder Tool to Make Pop-up Windows 58

4.3 Page Optimized for Scannability 59

4.4 Tutorial with Location Marker 62

vii

Figures

4.5 Multiple Navigation System Example 63

4.6 Text for a Navigation System 65

4.7 Flowchart Example 66

4.8 Menu Tree Example 66

4.9 Drop-Down Menu Example 67

4.10 Linear Navigation Design Example 70

4.11 Frame Displays 71

4.12 Tables Used as Layout Tools 73

4.13 Effective Use of White Space Example 76

4.14 Color Meanings and Perceptions 77

4.15 Color Wheel and Color Schemes 79

4.16 High and Low Color Contrasts and Legibility 80

4.17 Effective Use of Color Example 81

4.18 Browser-Safe Color Palette 82

4.19 Free Color Utilities Example 83

4.20 Advantages and Disadvantages of Highlighting Techniques 84

4.21 Textured Background Image 86

4.22 Comparison of Typefaces at Same Point Size 86

4.23 Comparison of Windows and Macintosh Displays 90

4.24 Comparison of Resolution and Text Size 91

4.25 Bobby Accessibility-Check Tool 94

5.1 Images Used for Navigation 99

5.2 Graphics Used to Set a Mood 99

5.3 Logo Used for Identification 100

5.4 Photo and Map in Virtual Tour 101

5.5 Screen Capture Used in Searching Tutorial 102

5.6 Lotus ScreenCam Demonstration Used in Searching Tutorial 102

5.7 Screen-Capture Demonstration Used in Author-Search Tutorial 103

5.8 Animation Used for Visualization of Boolean Logic Concepts 104

5.9 Zoom-in View of Raster Image Pixels 106

5.10 Vector Images 107

5.11 Comparison of Raster and Vector Images 108

5.12 Advantages, Disadvantages, and Uses of GIF and JPEG Formats 109

5.13 Useful Web Icons for Tutorials 112

5.14 Creating an Image Map with Dreamweaver 113

5.15 CNET Builder’s Mouseover Machine 114

5.16 Netscape Netcenter’s Web Site Garage GIF Lube Image Optimizing

Utility 116

5.17 Image before and after Slicing 117

5.18 Two Control Options for Sound Files on Web Pages 120

5.19 Creation of an Animated GIF 123

5.20 Macromedia Flash Application Interface 124

5.21 Flash Animation Used in Texas Information Literacy Tutorial 125

5.22 Director Shockwave Used in Organize and Synthesize Information

Tutorial 126

5.23 Macromedia Dreamweaver Used to Create Layer-Based

Animation 127

viii FIGURES

5.24 Axes of Three-Dimensional Graphics 128

5.25 VRML Used to Tour a Library 129

5.26 Video File, Load-Time, and Run-Time Indicators 130

5.27 QuickTime Virtual Reality Tour 131

6.1 Social Interaction through a Discussion Forum 137

6.2 Information Transfer through Use of a Feedback Form 138

6.3 Remote Access to a Database 139

6.4 Knowledge Building through Formulating Search Strategies 140

6.5 Virtual Experiences Designed for Live Interaction and

Collaboration 141

6.6 Hyperlinks to Create Interactivity in a Library Catalog Tutorial 142

6.7 Image Map with Hyperlinks to Provide an Interactive Activity 143

6.8 E-Mail Links to an Instructor 144

6.9 Discussion Forum as a Communication Method 145

6.10 Chat Program for Real-Time Distance Learning Communication 146

6.11 Online Survey Using Forms 147

6.12 Exercise Using Forms in Library Catalog Tutorial 148

6.13 Activity Using Forms for Developing Research Strategies 148

6.14 Self-Assessment Using Forms 149

6.15 Testing Using Forms 150

6.16 Evaluation Using Forms 151

6.17 Skills Practice through Simulation of Database Searches 152

6.18 Skills Practice through Simulation Created in Macromedia

Authorware 153

6.19 Skills Practice through Live Access 154

6.20 Interactive Movement to Organize Notes 155

6.21 Rollovers Used in a URL Exercise 155

6.22 Web Programming Languages Comparison Chart 158

6.23 Java Applets Used in a Library Information Access Tutorial 159

6.24 JavaScript Source Script Library 167

6.25 Hot Potatoes Quiz Creation Tool 168

FIGURES ix

I want to thank the people who helped make this book a reality. Writing a book

is certainly not a solitary process; it is one that relies on the support and encour￾agement of colleagues and family.

It would have never occurred to me to attempt this project if not for ALA

Editions acquisitions editor Tarshel Beards. She saw the nucleus of a potential

book topic in a presentation I gave at a LITA National Forum and encouraged

me to develop it. She guided me throughout the entire authoring process. Edi￾torial manager Joan Grygel’s skillful efforts made this book more readable, un￾derstandable, and useful for readers.

There are many people at Z. Smith Reynolds Library to thank also. Rhoda

Channing, our director, has always encouraged her staff to extend our reach pro￾fessionally. She provides a positive example by the way in which she conducts

her professional life and has always given total support to her staff’s professional

development endeavors, including this project. My fellow technology team

members provided moral support and handholding through the long months of

writing and served as sounding boards on many technology questions. My col￾leagues in our reference department were instrumental in teaching me how to

deliver traditional library instruction and how to translate this effectively into

our library’s Web-based library instruction tutorials.

I would like to thank all of the libraries and other organizations that have

allowed me to use their sites as examples throughout the book.

Finally, without the support from my husband, Ron, this book would not

exist. He took over the management of all aspects of the domestic front for

many months so that I could concentrate on this project. He has always been

my main source of inspiration because of his unfailing belief in my abilities to

accomplish anything.

xi

Acknowledgments

Acronyms

AIFF Audio Interchange File Format

ASP Active Server Page

AU Audio File Format

AVI Audio Video Interleave

BMP bitmap

CDR CorelDRAW

CD-ROM compact disc–read only memory

CD-RW compact disc–rewritable

CGI Common Gateway Interface

CODEC Compressor/decompressor

CPU Central Processing Unit

CSS cascading style sheets

dHTML dynamic HTML

DOM document object model

dpi dots per inch

DV digital video

FTP File Transfer Protocol

GB gigabyte

GHz gigahertz

GIF Graphics Interchange Format

HTML HyperText Markup Language

IE Internet Explorer

IIS Internet Information Server

IT information technology

JPEG, JPG Joint Photographic Experts Group

JSP JavaServer Page

LCD liquid crystal display

MB megabyte

MHz megahertz

MIDI Musical Instrument Digital Interface

MNG Multiple-image Network Graphics

xiii

MOO Multiuser domain, Object Oriented

MPEG Moving Pictures Expert Group

MP3 MPEG-1 Audio Layer-3

OCR optical character recognition

PC personal computer (IBM compatible)

PCI Peripheral Component Interconnect

PDF Portable Document Format

Perl Practical Extraction and Reporting Language

PFR Portable Font Resource

PHP [Personal Home Page] PHP Hypertext Processor

PNG Portable Network Graphics

ppi pixels per inch

RAM random access memory

SCSI Small Computer System Interface

SGML Standard Generalized Markup Language

SMIL Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language

SVG Scalable Vector Graphics

SVGA Super Video Graphics Array

Tcl Tool Command Language

TIFF Tag Image File Format

Tk tool kit

3-D three dimensional

UID User Interface Design

URL Uniform Resource Locator

USB Universal Serial Bus

VGA Video Graphics Array

VRML Virtual Reality Modeling Language

WAV Waveform Audio File Format

W3C World Wide Web Consortium

WYSIWYG what you see is what you get

WWW World Wide Web

XHTML Extensible Hypertext Markup Language

XML Extensible Markup Language

xiv ACRONYMS