Assignment 4. Evaluating Web Design

Research ten web sites and analyze them regarding the following elements:

• Use of color
• Graphics
• Organization of data
• Speed which pages load
• Quality

Cave Creek Unified School District

http://www.ccusd.k12.az.us/

Criterion	Comments
Use of Color	Color is limited to one graphic on the first page and a few divider bars on other pages Due to the text nature of this website, most of the pages are simple black/white with a bit of color for the traditional web links.
Graphics	One graphic, limited to the first page
Organization	Minimal amount of information provided The information that is provided is straight forward and easy to find
Speed	Very quick due to the limited number of graphics Primarily text based
Quality	Overall quality is that of a beginning web page

Overall Comments: I was not impressed with this website. They mentioned that they would be updating the website some time in late September and I viewed it again on September 25, 2000 and noticed no improvements. As a taxpayer in the Cave Creek area, I am highly disappointed that the multi-million dollar bond seems to have not improved their technological link to the 'outside' world. I only hope this is not indicative of what is happening in the classroom.

Scottsdale Unified School District

http://www.scottsdale.org/

Criterion	Comments
Use of Color	The colors are limited to a scheme that is coordinated through out the website. The colors do not detract from the overall message of the page.
Graphics	The first page is highly graphic, including several java scripts. The remainder of the pages looks like some of them are ‘newer’ versions with drop down menus and other added design features.
Organization	The site provides a lot of information that is easily located from the first page. However, as you travel through the site, you loose track of what you are looking for and where to find it.
Speed	Some of the java scripts on the first page are slow due to the speed of my modem at home. The first time I open the page at home it takes about 20 seconds to load.
Quality	Overall, this site shows some advanced design capabilities. There is a lot of information provided to the consumer. There are several pages, such as the job-listing page, that uses distracting font.

Overall Comments: I was somewhat impressed with this site upon initial observations; however, as I went further into the various pages, I noticed several key design flaws. The biggest distraction to me was the use of the wrong type font on the job-listing page. This page is probably the most visited page, in my opinion, and should have the most professional appearance.

Flagstaff Unified School District

http://www.flagstaff.k12.az.us/

Criterion	Comments
Use of Color	The first page is somewhat boring. As you move through the various pages, the color scheme changes, not all pages are coordinated.
Graphics	Looks like this site was designed using some sort of a template or ‘theme’. Minimal amount of graphics.
Organization	Simple organization structure. Some of the pages look like they do not belong to the original homepage.
Speed	Fast loading due to minimal graphics
Quality	I appreciated the link to ‘how to use this site.’ However, it looks like a basic/beginning web design. I was highly impressed with the information provided regarding the guidelines for individual school websites. The site offers a wide variety of information, but some links/pages are not uploaded yet.

Overall Comments: This site has the beginnings of an excellent site in terms of providing a variety of information for several different audiences. For example, the teacher resources for K-6 grades were impressive. However, as I explored more of the site, the design changed making it appear that some of the site was done at an earlier/later date than the home page.

Fountain Hills Unified School District

http://www.fhusd.org/

Criterion	Comments
Use of Color	No coordinated use of color. Most of the site is text based other than the individual school sites
Graphics	Very limited use of graphics
Organization	Totally unorganized, other than the links to the school provided on the left side menu. It seems that the site is just ‘thrown together.’ No resemblance of a ‘story board’ in terms of deciding WHAT the District wants to say on their site.
Speed	Fairly fast loading due to the limited number of graphics
Quality	Do not like the first page &emdash; it is not a ‘Welcome’ type start page, it goes right into various links and other information. Some of the most important pages required some sort of network authorization, making it very difficult to locate information Many of the school pages have not been updated for over a year! This site does not provide a lot of general information about the District.

Overall Comments: This site is terrible. Period. If you want to see what NOT to do, look at this site. I found the site to be lacking in ANY type of pertinent information regarding the district. Maybe the 'internal' site is better than the EXTERNAL! This does site does not speak well for their use of technology in the classroom.

Mesa Public Schools

http://www.mesa.k12.az.us/

Criterion	Comments
Use of Color	The ‘new’ pages are coordinated, however, some of the ‘older’ pages are not. The colors are inviting, not distracting to the overall message.
Graphics	The graphics are highly sophisticated on the homepage The graphics are eye appealing and invite the visitor to explore further.
Organization	The organization on the first page is excellent. Some of the pages further in the site are not as organized
Speed	The first page takes awhile to load at home The text-based pages are easy to load
Quality	This site has the beginnings of an excellent model. The district should work hard towards completing this project.

Overall Comments: Even prior to this assignment, I considered this site to be one of the best district websites in the state. This website looks like the most professional, in terms of graphic design from the first page. However, I noticed that some of the pages deeper into the site are still using the 'older' format. I would strongly suggest that the District work towards completing this site. It says it is under 'heavy construction.' J

Glendale Unified High School District

http://guhsd.k12.az.us/

Criterion	Comments
Use of Color	Very basic use of color throughout the page Some pages did not follow the color scheme that was introduced on the first page
Graphics	No major graphics on the first page
Organization	The site has the beginnings of a well organized site, but a click off the front page provides little information and/or direction Several links from the first page were not defined
Speed	Every page loads fast due to the omission of graphics
Quality	Some of the pages were not completed The site provided no information regarding the most recent updates and/or the fact they were ‘under construction’ Some pages were not accessible

Overall Comments: As a first impression, I thought the first page was a bit weak, in terms of graphical design. I appreciated the general information about the district; however, they could have omitted or moved the solicitation for the tax credit. The site was a disappointment once I clicked off the front page. Most of the pages are either not completed or not working. This is a sad example of a district web site.

Prescott Unified School District

http://www.prescott.k12.az.us/

Criterion	Comments
Use of Color	The first page uses more color than the pages imbedded in the site
Graphics	This page uses a ‘jumping off’ page as the first page that could be more intricate Page 2 is actually a better page and should be used as the first page. I particularly like the side bar navigation bars with the photographs in the background
Organization	The side bar navigation on the first page is professional The navigation bars on some of the pages are not coordinated
Speed	Some of the curriculum pages are longer to load
Quality	The curriculum page is an excellent resource; I would like to emulate their individual curriculum page in terms of their color-coding. Some of the curriculum pages are not completed I particularly like the ‘snow day’ page…one can only hope here in Phoenix J

Overall Comments: This site is on its way to begin a very professionally designed web page. Some of the pages seem to still be under construction and therefore do not give the breath of information I would like to see. I like the fact that the site has two indented audiences: employees and visitors.

Sedona-Oak Creek Unified School District

http://www.sedona.k12.az.us/

Criterion	Comments
Use of Color	After the first page, a limited amount of color is used
Graphics	The graphics on the first page are adequate &emdash; nothing special.
Organization	Some of the side menus within the side menu are to complicate to read. It appears as they are using a First Class discussion group as many of their links. This is misleading prior to clicking the link. Some information does not fit on my screen when using Explorer as opposed to Netscape (which they recommend)
Speed	Most pages load quickly due to the fact there are limited graphics
Quality	The first page is high quality The site is designed for two audiences: people within the district (teachers, students, parents) and without of the district (visitors, potential employees)

Overall Comments: The first page of this site was decent but then went down hill from that point. It seems like they are using First Class to keep some of their links updated but it ends up creating TWO side menus, which were distracting. I found it difficult to find information based upon the links. I spent more time aimlessly searching rather than finding the information I was looking for.

Peoria Unified School District

http://www.peoriaud.k12.az.us/default1.htm

Criterion	Comments
Use of Color	Very bright color scheme that enhances the web page Coordinated use of color throughout the site
Graphics	The graphics that were included were sophisticated and professional
Organization	Too much text on the first page Excellent idea to include a search engine within the site
Speed	Even with the advanced Internet features, each page was easy to load
Quality	Many java scripts included to keep the page looking ‘fresh’

Overall Comments: After spending several minutes at this one site, I believe this is the best example of a district web site I have seen. It rivals what Mesa School District started, but they failed to finish. The advanced features on this page make this page stand out above the rest. To me, this represents a district dedicated to the use of technology in education. I am so impressed with this site that I would consider switching to this district. They actually SUPPORT their teachers and provide them a web space for individual home pages!

Chinle Unified School District

http://www.chinleusd.k12.az.us/

Criterion	Comments
Use of Color	The site is extremely colorful Some of the pages have different color schemes
Graphics	Extensive use of graphics that support their Native American Culture
Organization	Clear and thoughtful organization Easy description of the links
Speed	Some of the graphics took a few seconds to download, but I could read the text while I was waiting
Quality	This site provides a lot of valuable information about the district. I was impressed that they have a means of communication within the district via bulletin boards

Overall Comments: Wow! Where did they find such a talented Webmaster and how did the district persuade him/her to work in Chinle? This site is in the same caliber as Peoria Unified School District. There were a lot of advanced Internet features that you only see in commercial sites.