Hi All,

I am Ann Navin, the new Interface Designer at Project Links (I have taken over Virginia Eubanks' position so she can write her thesis). One of my tasks is to complete the alpha and beta testing of the modules. The alpha testing entails making sure the module fits into the Links design format, the applets, animations and/or videos work, that the content is logical in our functionality navigation, as well as review the aesthetics of the module and overall usability. The beta testing entails checking grammar, punctuation and spelling, look for broken links, broken applets, and basically copy-edit the module.

You are receiving this email because I have completed the alpha test for your Electric Field module! This email might be a bit lengthy, but I wanted to make it thorough. If you have any questions or comments, please contact me via email (navina@rpi.edu) or at ext. 6136 in the Links Lab.

Electric Field Alpha Testing
    links.math.rpi.edu/devmodules/electromagnetism/ElectricField/
    Content developers: Malak, Haus
    Programmers: Goodchild, HTML; Malak, Java

General Comments:

Kudos on the Java script script for the functional navigation bar!

Great applets and animations! Excellent use of the interactive medium!

However...

v  We're trying to implement the prior and next buttons on the side navigation bar--please see the template for an example (http://links.math.rpi.edu/devmodules/template)

v  Perhaps some restructuring will make better use of the functional navigation feature with this module. I find it hard to navigate through the pages without getting confused as to where I am in the module, and which concepts are background information as opposed to the "lessons" for this module.  The side navigation information is meant to be content, and the functional navigation is meant to imply function, (i.e. the students are actually doing something in most of these sections--often only the Concepts section isn't terribly interactive). This module might be improved with renaming the side navigation info as: Couloumb's Law, Electric Fields, Hidden Charges, and Summary, then each section will have Concepts, Discover (I really enjoyed the applets), and  Practice. Also, any Applications and Collaborate pages would be nice to see in each section.

v  Is it possible to create an "intro" page for the module--give a brief overview of the topic, or pose a question that relates the math concepts to a real-world application? (The Vibrating Strings, Drag Forces, and Inventory Control modules have great examples in their intro sections).

v  Maybe rephrase the Objective section to more specific statements than "understand vectors"--What exactly are the students supposed to take away from this module?  For example, "Display electric fields and examine their geometric properties" makes a good objective statement. Active verbs, such as formulate, calculate, derive, etc. are good starts to objective statements. Also, its easier to recap the points/key equations in a Summary section when you have specific objective statements. (The Vibrating Strings module does a really good job with that)

v  Confusing to have links to the Couloumb's Law information in the Concepts and Discover sections of the Prerequisites Page, especially since that information is then presented under the Theory and Examples content headings on the side navigation bar.

v  The Theory, Examples and Field Animation sections all link to the same Concepts and Discover functionalities--don't make them separate content sections--they should all be under an "Electric Field" heading in the side navigation bar (perhaps break up the Theory page into Couloumb's Law and Electric Fields pages) 

v  It seems that the first half of the theory section under Workshop in the side navigation explains Couloumb's Law--why not rename it  "Couloumb's Law" in the side navigation bar?   Is the Discover section meant to be an example of  Electric Fields and Couloumb's Law? Lots of information in this Discover section that could be partitioned even further.

v  Remove the "examples" heading in the side navigation bar--please link the examples to the appropriate concepts via the Practice pages.

v  Perhaps move some of the more complicated applet examples into collaborate or practice-- good Collaborate questions are already started--"what do you suppose this scenario would look like?"

v  Perhaps change Follow-up to a summary section that recaps the take-home points of the module. Perhaps include practice problems on the Practice page for this section.

v  Don't forget the library section to include your resource information for the module.

Specific Comments:

v  html/prerequisites.html--perhaps link Vector addition, resolution of vectors and Coulomb's Law to glossary entries?

v  html/exercise.html--this section could be broken up: have the Overview information as the Concepts section; the applet in the Discover section; and the Exercise questions in the Practice section.

v  html/theory.html--break the theory information into a "Couloumb's Law" section and an "Electric Field" section.

I think you have great ideas, examples and applets in this module, but they would be more effective with some navigational restructuring. Please contact me (navina@rpi.edu, or ext.6136) if you have any questions or comments.

Best regards,

Ann