MOKV2400 Web Publishing and Information Architecture Emneplan

Web Publishing and Information Architecture will introduce the student to creating well-designed web pages and websites. The course gives theoretical and practical introduction to information architecture, usability, user studies and design methods, as well as to basic HTML and CSS coding.

Web Publishing and Information Architecture is an optional course in the 4th semester of the bachelor programme, and is one of the courses exchange students may choose. The tuition is in English if exchange students are present.

Students who are admitted to the bachelor program must adhere to general progression rules:

• Courses corresponding to at least 50 credits of the first academic year must normally be passed before the student can continue in the second academic year.
• The entire first academic year and courses corresponding to at least 45 credits of the second academic year must normally be passed before the student can continue in the third academic year.

Students who lack more credits than described above may not continue in the next academic year until the requirement is met. 

After completing the course, the student should have the following overall learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• understands the role of information architecture and usability in design of websites
• understands different strategies for users' information search and navigation on websites
• is knowledgeable of principles of user centered and universal design
• is knowledgeable of methods and techniques of collaborative and participatory media design processes
• has practical knowledge of responsive design
• has basic knowledge of HTML, CSS and CMS systems

Skills

The student

• can analyze the relation between context, content and user groups and identify user friendly design from a user perspective
• is able to plan, design, publish and maintain web sites using design methods and user involvement
• is able to communicate design of information architecture

General skills

The student can

• understand how the organization of information and content on a website has influence on user experience and usability of a website

Lectures, creative workshop sessions and guiding sessions in the lab.

The students work individually and in groups with real-life projects.

There are four coursework requirements. Each assignment is related to, and handed in, after a theme of the course program is completed. The objective of each coursework requirements is that the students work practically with the themes of the course. The assignments are based on HTML-coding and CSS-coding tasks with a 1-page report, an information architecture analysis report of a website consisting of 3 pages, and draft of web project and report that later is handed in as exam work and follow the requirements of the exam work. Each coursework requirement is in this way a rehearsal of parts of the final exam work.

The estimated workload for each requirement is approximately 5-10 hours. The coursework requirements are approved by the course leader, and the students will get individual feedback from the lecturer on each requirement.

All coursework requirements must be handed in within the set deadline and approved before the student may sit for the exam. Students who don't get their assignments approved on their first attempt can hand in a revised version once. Students who cannot hand in their assignments on deadline because of illness or other reasons, can make an agreement on a new deadline for their assignment.

The exam consists of an individual website project and a written report. A reworked version of the course work requirements can be handed in as part of the exam. All parts of the exam must be passed for the student to achieve passing grade on the exam as a whole. 

In the project the student shall plan and develop a web site about an approved theme for a target group of their own choice. The project represents around 2 weeks of work and the website shall comprise around 10 pages or equivalent. The students are expected to work on the project throughout the term. The website must be designed and handed in as  a HTML / CSS webpage or a Wordpress project, as well as with wireframes and webprototypes developed in the design process.

The idea, process and product must be documented in a project report that reflects upon, and analyses the process and the product. The report is about 15000 characters (with spaces) and draws on theory presented in the syllabus. It must deal with:

• Aim and target group
• User-friendliness and universal principles
• Choice of structure, navigation, labelling and search
• Layout and presentation'
• Copyright

The website and the project report are given a summarised evaluation. The assessment will focus on the student`s knowledge and understanding of web design in relation to:

• User centered and user experience
• Principles of universal design and responsive design
• Adaption of information architecture to aim and target group of the website
• Correct use of HTML and CSS on the website
• Exam work can be handed in in English or in Norwegian. The website can be produced in mother tongue.

Students who have failed to pass the ordinary examination and students with legitimate absence are entitled to a new examination.

All aids are permitted, as long as the rules for source referencing are complied with.

Grade scale A-F

The exam is assessed by an internal and an external examiner. An extract of at least 25% of the answers is assessed by two examiners. The results of this extract form the basis for setting the level of the rest of the exams.

Gaute Heggen