Site Research

Back to researching sites. I have spent this week searching sites with obvious usability flaws. This might be an example of the most cluttered site I have ever seen. I have gone to the extreme picking this one. http://www.havenworks.com/ I don't think the tag line, if you even notice it, helps. I'm confused as to what it even means. This page definitely needs to be simplified and given a clear visual hierarchy. My only positive usability comment would be that it is obvious what is clickable.

I do a lot or work with resources for teachers and so I think I will put my focus on similar pages.

Sites for Teachers http://www.sitesforteachers.com/

• the first thing that jumps out on this page is the ad on top, not the logo. Moving the logo to the left would make it noticeable.
• the logo is the only working home button. I would add one to each page other than the home page.
• the visual hierarchy is not obvious. The ads on the left overshadow the main menu links.
• it doesn't appear to have a user centered design
• it would help to break up the links into defined areas of interest rather than one endless list of page links. The main menu could be expanded to include the categories mentioned next to the logo - reading, mathematics etc using tabs across the top
• Some text size options would be good
• make page easier to scan

Educational Websites for Teachers http://www.camden.rutgers.edu/~wood/edwebsites.htm



Eduscape http://eduscapes.com/

• a resource site that simply links the viewer to other teacher resource sites they recommend
• home page is very noisy
• there is a logo however with all the other graphics of equal size, the logo does not stand out well
• a navigation bar of some kind would be helpful
• the logo is the only functioning home button
• the pages are not consistent in design layout
• advertisements are mixed in with links to legitimate educational resource sites
• the Eduscape News is somewhat more valuable to the teacher, but I would doubt that the teacher would have found the link.

Discovery Education http://school.discoveryeducation.com/

• logo clearly defines the purpose of the site
• the visual hierarchy clearly describes "school resources" in large font
• menu on the left is simply presented and the categories are those teachers will be interested in.
• advertisements are present but do not take away from the content.
• the site search is clearly marked and no login is required
• the content submenus are very clear and the page design is consistent
• professional look and design
• on other pages links are not only marked with a bullet, but are also underlined
• certain pages use moving elements to attract the viewer
  
  

PBS Teachers: http://www.pbs.org/teachers/

• easy to navigate site
• the visual hierarchy is well-defined with the larger fonts introducing prominent menu items.
• the site ID is clear
• there are no breadcrumbs or text size options.
• the page design is consistent
• main resource menu is always on the left
• each page has an advanced site search and each subject area page has a search function allowing for search by grade level and content area
• visited links do not change colour.

Edutopia http://www.edutopia.org/
This is a George Lucas Educational Foundation Site - so no lack of money or talent to spend.