Chris J. Pilgrim

Improving the usability of web 2.0 applications

Web 2.0 is revolutionizing the way that users access content and interact with each other on the Web. Unfortunately, many developers are inspired by what is technologically possible possibly disregarding good design practice and fundamental theory. Very little research on Web 2.0 usability is reported in the literature. This paper reports progress on an investigation into the usability of Web 2.0 applications through an empirical study of the level of disorientation and cognitive overhead that users might experience. The outcomes of this project aim to provide an empirical basis for the development of design guidelines to improve Web 2.0 usability.

Appropriate use of the Internet in computer science courses

New computer and communication technologies now provide the educationalist with a wide range of tools for use in the educational process. Many of these technologies such as computer-assisted learning and multimedia have had quite a rocky road to becoming effective tools, It was only after these tools emerged from the initial hype that they truly found a place in education. The Internet is still in this initial hype phase and is in danger of being used superficially. This paper begins the development of a theoretical basis for the appropriate use of Internet tools in computer science education. The proposed selection matrix will help realise the potential of these tools within the context of maximizing learning outcomes.

Cost effective multimedia courseware development

Multimedia technology offers considerable potential for education though the costs of production of courseware are prohibitive especially in a rapidly changing discipline such as computer science. This paper proposes a cost-effective technique which allows multimedia courseware to be developed quickly and economically. To illustrate this concept, courseware material for an undergraduate Data Communications subject has been implemented.

Industry involvement in ICT curriculum: a comparative survey

Stakeholder consultation during course accreditation is now a requirement of new Australian government regulations as well as the Australian ICT professional society accreditation. Despite these requirements there remains some differences between universities and industry regarding the purpose, nature and extent of industry involvement in the curriculum. Surveys of industry and university leaders in ICT were undertaken to provide a representative set of views on these issues. The results provided insights into the perceptions of universities and industry regarding industry involvement into the curriculum. The results also confirmed previous research that identified a tension between industrys desire for relevant skills and the role of universities in providing a broader education for lifelong learning.

The influence of spatial ability on the use of web sitemaps

One challenge confronting web site designers is to provide effective navigational support. Supplemental navigation tools such as sitemaps are frequently included on web sites to support navigation. However, there is a lack of empirically based guidelines for designers of such tools. This paper reports an empirical investigation into the factors influencing the decision by users to select sitemaps or search tools. The study establishes a relationship between the users level of spatial ability and their tendency to select Web sitemaps providing a basis for the design of further investigations into the usability and design of such tools.

Supplemental Navigation Tools for Website Navigation — A Comparison of User Expectations and Current Practice

One of the challenges confronting website designers is to provide effective navigational support. Supplemental navigation tools such as search, indexes and sitemaps are frequently included on websites. However, due to a lack of guidance for designers a proliferation of designs has evolved leaving users confused about the role and value of each particular tool. This paper reports an empirical investigation into the expectations of users regarding the purpose and design of supplemental navigation tools. Expectations are then compared with a survey of the current utilization of these tools in major commercial websites. The study establishes a relationship between certain types of information goals and the selection of search and sitemap tools.

Factors Influencing User Selection of WWW Sitemaps

One challenge confronting web site designers is to provide effective navigational support. Supplemental navigation tools such as sitemaps are frequently included on web sites to support navigation. However, there is a lack of empirically based guidelines for designers of such tools. This paper reports an empirical investigation into the factors influencing the decision by users to select sitemaps or search tools. The study establishes a relationship between goal specificity and user selection of sitemap and search tools providing a basis for the design of further investigations into the usability and design of such tools.

The Swinburne on-line education project

Many universities throughout the world are exploring the possibilities of on-line delivery of educational programs. These developments have the potential to significantly change the face of higher education as we know it today. In order to compete in an international market, Swinburne University of Technology has decided on a strategic approach to the development of web-based delivery of courses. This paper will report on all aspects of the Swinburne On-line Education (OLE) project especially the developments within the School of Information Technology which has the responsibility for the delivery of Computer Science programs.

Mobile pen-based technologies for drivers licence administration

One of the major advantages of mobile computing devices is that they facilitate data capture when the operator is on the move. The data collected can be readily processed for analysis and reporting purposes, without the need for manually transcribing the data into an electronic form. This paper describes the design and development of two prototypical systems using mobile pen-based technologies for the administration of learner drivers licence testing. We highlight some of the design issues and report the lessons learned.

Enhancing WWW Navigation

The overall goal of this research project is to investigate navigational issues relating to hypermedia information spaces such as the World Wide Web, particularly the problem of user orientation, in order to improve the general design principles of navigational interfaces by utilising visualisation techniques.