Category: Communication

Relying on Webmasters

May 2nd, 2006 by IDEA

Enabling project staff to update and post new site content prevents bottlenecks. Just as this June 24, 1959 evening rush hour traffic jam on Chicago’s Congress Expressway caused bottlenecks, so can webmasters who are responsible for posting web content. Allowing authors and project staff to post directly to a web site can bypass the bottleneck.

Overview of dissemination

May 2nd, 2006 by IDEA

Implementing content management software can overcome the hassles of dissemination. Content management software can take the frustration out of disseminating educational information by streamlining the web publishing process. Problem It’s difficult to find a sensible and sustainable way to distribute up-to-date educational information to users via a web site. Solution Content management software is a

Publishing hassles? Organizing & managing your site

May 2nd, 2006 by IDEA

Finding a sensible and sustainable way to provide web site visitors with fresh information is crucial. A mobile Guernsey, such as Minnie, is not a sensible way to distribute fresh milk. To be effective, educational projects need to find a sensible and sustainable method of disseminating fresh information to users. Educational projects have a wealth

Spur sluggish survey respondants

April 2nd, 2006 by IDEA

Author: Patrick Parnaby Avoiding survey pitfalls can help ensure success. Simplifying Surveys Whenever possible, keep your survey simple. Long, complicated surveys often cause participants to give up. If you need more detailed information, consider using two different surveys. One can be a simple overview of the content you need to evaluate and can be widely

Evaluating evidence

March 1st, 2006 by IDEA

Creating an atmosphere of discovery by allowing visitors to evaluate evidence. Problem You want to explain a multi-faceted problem and have visitors evaluate the evidence. Solution Develop a series of web pages, on which they are directed to note their opinion about each piece of evidence and analyze the problem. If, for example, your site

Community features

March 1st, 2006 by IDEA

Online communities can take many forms, and add depth and breadth to your site. Problem You want to create an online community that adds value to your site. Solution The Internet offers the opportunity to create virtual communities using a range of technologies, including blogs, forums, and guest books; email lists; page comments; ratings; and

Visitor-generated content

March 1st, 2006 by IDEA

Asking specific questions, whether rhetorical or data-driven, can supplement your site’s content. Problem You want to expand your web content by drawing on the unique knowledge of your visitors. Solution Invite visitors to share information about highly specific questions, such as, “How has the habitat in your community changed over the years?” Discussion Incorporate into

Knowledge & experience of users

March 1st, 2006 by IDEA

Developing community while avoiding chaos. Problem Although the dynamic and database capabilities of web servers can encourage a sense of community, many approaches lead to abuse or misuse, including irrelevant and otherwise inappropriate content. Solution Draw on the unique knowledge and experience of your visitors in specific ways that serve to enhance your site’s content.

Dynamic navigation

August 2nd, 2005 by IDEA

Asking questions of the visitor can trigger more personalized information. Problem Your web site needs to meet the needs of different users. For example, you need versions of the site for elementary kids, teens, adults, and teachers. Solution Direct the visitor to the appropriate information by employing the following techniques: Initial interview, or preferences: Ask

Dynamic content and localization

August 2nd, 2005 by IDEA

Adapting your web content to different audiences increases the effectiveness of your project. Problem You must meet the needs of multiple audiences, each needing a different version of the same information. For example, you may need Spanish and English versions of each page, or versions geared towards different education levels. Solution Adapt your site content