Meet in BSW 243 for an overview of lab procedures and to obtain log-in protocol from Robert Hershoff (Bioc Systems Administrator).

Lab Practicum Website Information

The assignment requires that you construct a fairly simple web site (minimum 6 pages) and use it as a basis for your class presentation. In order to get your Lab Practicum into web format you will need to do the following:

1. First collect all of your information in text (html code) and graphic (jpg or gif) e-files. A good website is all about useful CONTENT and NAVIGATION. I have provided you with a template website in the form of a group directory that contains everything you will need for your class presentation. However, you are responsible for providing the body of your lab practicum in text and graphics.

2. Your publishing (file transfer protocol - ftp) information is given below:

Host: teach.biosci.arizona.edu
Username: 471571Fall2001
Password: ************ (ask Dr. Miesfeld for password)


Follow this path to the directory reserved for our course:
teach.biosci.arizona.edu / 471571Fall2001

3. Download your Group folder (as raw data) from the server using an ftp protocol such as WinZip or WS_FTP for Windows, or Fetch for Macintosh. You can obtain these applications from the Biochemistry Dept. computer support page;
http://www.biochem.arizona.edu/computing/software/software.html

4. Use a web authoring application such as MS FrontPage, Claris HomePage or Netscape Composer to add content. You will have access to the Biochem Dept. computer lab in BSW 247 at times when it is available (most of the time between 6 am and 6 pm Mon-Fri), which has some of these applications loaded. You are also encouraged to work as a group or on your own from any UA computer.

5. It is suggested that each group have one person responsible for compiling the website and updating the group directory by ftp. It is always safer to upload only the files you are changing rather than the entire group directory as FTP protocols write over all files in the directory with the same name!

6. Feel free to call me at anytime (626-2343) or e-mail me (RLM@u.arizona.edu) to get help with the web site or lab practicum content. Also if you need clip art images out of the textbook that have not been included on the course website already, just let me know.

7. Don't wait until the last minute to find out that you don't really know how to publish your materials on the Internet - your class presentation would be pretty boring. Please respect the shared resources and hard work of your classmates.

Instructional Design Pointers
By Jennifer Katcher

Provide clear information
&Mac183; Use graphics carefully. While a picture (or graph or molecular structure) can be worth 1000 words, too many images are distracting. Each image should be chosen carefully for its ability to enhance understanding.

&Mac183; Avoid animations that do not directly enhance learning. They are distracting and reduce readability.

&Mac183; "Chunk" information into discrete units. Use headings and subheadings to emphasize the relationship between concepts.

Make information easily accessible
&Mac183; Navigation buttons and bars should be easy to understand and use. Use consistent navigation throughout the site.

&Mac183; Quick downloads are important. Minimize file size and the number of graphics to speed download time.

&Mac183; Check systems compatibility. Verify your site can be viewed in Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator. View your site with different screen dimensions and with different color depths. Verify pages are printable.

&Mac183; Make web pages accessible for visually and hearing impaired users. Use "alt" tags to provide text description of images and navigation tools. Provide captioning for video or other multimedia.

Provide timely information
&Mac183; Frequent updates encourage people to visit your site often.

Software Resources


ISIS Draw: http://www.mdli.com/cgi/dynamic/welcome.html
Freeware for drawing molecular structures. Structures can be cut and pasted directly into HomePage.

Microsoft Equation Editor
Available on MS Office CD-ROM as a custom installation feature of Word.
Easily formats mathematical and chemical equations. Equations can be cut and pasted directly into HomePage.

Other Resources

Claris HomePage Help Menu.
Don't forget about this free, easily accessible resource.

Claris HomePage 3 for Windows and Macintosh. Richard Fenno. Peachpit Press, 1998.
If you're purchasing one reference book for using HomePage, this is the best.

The Non-Designer's Web Book. Robin Williams and John Tollett. Peachpit Press, 1998.
This book includes web site design principles and practical pointers in a clear and lighthearted manner.

Web Style Guide. Patrick J. Lynch and Sarah Horton. Yale University Press, 1999. Available on the web: http://info.med.yale.edu/caim/manual.
This guide provides a thorough, academic approach to web design.

Jakob Nielsen's Usable Information Technology: http://www.useit.com/
This site highlights current usability issues and includes five years' archives of Nielsen's bi-weekly columns.

Bobby: http://www.cast.org/bobby/
Bobby is a web-based tool that analyzes your web pages for their accessibility to people with disabilities.