The assignments for this course are intended to introduce students to the use and evaluation of information resources and to the organization and presentation of information. All assignments will use the World Wide Web as a basis for study and evaluation, although the final project will require discovery and evaluation of non-Web information resources as well.

Assignments 1-3 will require development of a Web site for viewing and evaluation by classmates and the instructor along with submission of written commentary in a paper format. Assignment 4 will be submitted on paper for evaluation by the instructor.

PART 1: SEARCHING THE WORLD WIDE WEB: 27 August - 23 Sept.

• Assignment 1: Searching the World Wide Web
  Using a topic of your choosing, useWWW browsers to find appropriate resources that provide information on this topic. This assignment emphasizes: (1) comparative use of Web search engines, their effectiveness in locating pertinent information; (2) evaluation of the quality of information found on the Web; (3) analysis of search techniques for finding information on the chosen topic. Annotated search results will be submitted as a Web page along with a written evaluative essay on the search process. (20% of grade)DUE: TUES. SEPT 23
  

• Required readings for Part 1

• Technical Preparation:
  Learn basic HTML tags to prepare list of resources for the assignment.

PART 2. PRESENTATION AND ORGANIZATION OF INFORMATION: 30 Sept - 28 October

• Assignment 2: Presentation and Organization of Information
  This assignment emphasizes the factors one must consider in organizing and presenting information in the form of a Website. Using the topic researched in Assignment 1 above, you will be asked to devise a plan for development of a Website associated with the topic. Each student will then turn the plan over to another classmate who will design and create an actual site for presentation on the Web. Results will be evaluated by classmates and the instructor. Each team participant will submit a written evaluation of the work presented. (20% of grade) DUE: TUES. 28 OCT.
  

• Required readings for Part 2
  

• Technical Preparation:
  
  • Understanding of all basic and intermediate HTML tags
  • Ability to scan, create and modify image files

PART 3: PLANNING AND ORGANIZING A WEBSITE: 4 Nov - 2 Dec

• Assignment 3: Final Project
  The final project serves the purpose of bringing together all activities and principles covered throughout the course: searching and evaluating information resources; organization and presentation of information; meeting and assessing user needs. Students are expected to choose a topic of interest (different from the topic used in Assignments 1 and 2 above) and develop a major Web resource for information on this topic. Emphasis will be placed on the choice of information, implementation of an effective plan for organization and presentation of the information, evaluation of Website presentations and assessment of intended audience needs. Results will be evaluated by classmates and the instructor. (40% of grade) DUE: TUES. 2 DEC

• Required readings for Part 3
  

• Technical Preparation:
  
  • In addition to skills developed for Assigns 1 and 2, use of HTML tags for forms and tables.
  • Ability to modify and manipulate images

PART 4: WORLD WIDE WEB ISSUES

• Assignment 4: Final Essay:
  You will be asked to write a final essay based on an issue generated by the growth and use of the World Wide Web as an information resource. The essay topic will be based on assigned readings and class discussion as well as your own experiences in searching and presenting information. This essay along with the final project serve as the final examination for the course. (20% of grade) DUE: WED. 10 DEC.