1. Introduction to Web Authoring Ellen Cushman cushmane
@msu.edu
Class mtg. #19

2. Where we are Note the changes in content as per 3/17 discussion
M 3/17 assignment #4 intro, assign groups, brainstorm orgs.
W 3/19 selecting organizations, problem analysis procedure
M 3/24 proposal due (1-2 pages)
W 3/26 web standards
M 3/31 designing test, planning
W 4/2 testing and compliance, executing
M 4/7 visual rhetoric, intro (readability (fonts & white space), rhetoric and psych of color schemes)
W 4/9 visual rhetoric, 2 (space: real estate, eye/hand movement, information layout)
M 4/14 Workshop usability testing
W 4/16 Presentation workshops. Reports due.
M & W 4/21- /23 Presentations on websolutions
Note the changes
in content as per
3/17 discussion

3. Today in Class | Next Class
Web standards
Activity: test your site using these standards
Write up your notes and post on your page
Make sure to find a couple volunteers to user test this site!
Designing a usability test!
Planning your usability test.
Loving your usability test.

4. Standards Resources Section 508 Guidelines
Web Standards Project
W3C HTML Validator
Three key steps:
Doctype
Validate
Separate content from presentation.(We’re content now, and presentation on 4/7)

5. Accessibility Tools Test Visual Contrast http://graybit.com/main.php
Screenreader simulation
Low Vision simulations
Bottom Line: Tools are fine, but do not replace tests with real people

6. Sustainability is…
Focused on Web Authoring as an important organizational practice
A way of looking at an organization’s website as something they do, not something they have
An exercise of a technical communicator’s role as a “steward of writing practice” rather than merely as a writer

7. Assessing Sustainability
The main way we assess the sustainability of a website is via Activity Analysis…
Activity
We need to do ____________ via our website…
Activity = Roles x Tasks
-When we set goals they are for the company and also for ourselves. -
breakdowns
workflows

8. Scenario: Coordinate Group Rides
A local cycling club uses its website to keep members informed about upcoming rides
Any member can schedule a ride for any day of the week; rides are phoned in to a “Rideline” that is transcribed to the site twice a week
During inclement weather, ride plans often change before the website can be updated..

9. Breakdowns in Current Scenario
coordinate group rides
We _________________________ via our website…
Transcription
errors
Roles
Copy ride
info to log
Update
web site
Webmaster
Ride Leaders
Members
Hold
Ride?
Call in
ride info
No rsvp
Attend
Ride?
Too late to
update site

10. Transformed Scenario coordinate group rides
We _________________________ via our website…
Roles
Approve rides
Webmaster
Ride Leaders
Members
Hold
Ride?
Submit ride
Info via form
Sign up
to ride?
Get
confirm
+ updates

11. Do workflow analysis by…
Listing all the activities that are important to the organization to accomplish via the website…even those that they don’t currently use the website for
Map current scenarios with breakdowns; do this by talking with and/or observing group members
Map transformed scenarios that address the problems in the current scenario
Based on requirements of transformed scenario, recommend changes to site, roles, and actions

12. Activity Divide your group’s roles.
One tests your sites standards.
Another tests it’s accessibility
A third looks at its sustainability.
Test the site and draft 1-2 pages of notes for your final report. These notes will help you develop the content of your final websolutions project.
Post your notes to your personal site.
Meet as a group and discuss what you found.
Other group goals:
Useability: Andrea K
Genre Analysis: Jill

13. Looking forward | homework
Post your notes from today’s class
Make sure you have user testers secured for next week.
Figure out who will be the document and presentation managers in your group!