> Hello 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 to review the aesthetics and >
overall usability of the module. The beta testing entails checking
grammar, > punctuation and spelling, looking for broken links, broken
applets, and > basically copy-editing the module. . I realize Virginia
reviewed your Drag > Forces module a while ago, but as this is one of
Links' "priority modules", > I wanted to review it myself (so some of my
comments might be repeats of > Virginia's suggestions that you are already
working on). Consider it my Beta > test, since most of my comments are of
the copy-editing variety. > > This email is a bit lengthy, but I
wanted to make it thorough--most of my > comments are detail-oriented. If
you have any questions or comments, please > contact me via email (navina@rpi.edu) or at ext. 6136 in the Links
Lab. > > Drag Forces alpha/beta testing:
links.math.rpi.edu/devmodules/dragforces > > Content Developers:
Littman, Fleishman > > Programmers: Eapen, HTML > >
General Comments: > > **Great Intro!! Nice use of video to engage
students! Good > introduction/set-up for the module. > >
**Good, clear objectives! > > **Great Headings on each page--lets
students know where they are and what to > expect for each page!! >
> **Excellent titles on the derivation pages and other Links
links. > > **Great Collaborate and Practice Questions! >
> **Overall excellent use of the Functional Navigation in this
module!!!! > Hooray!!!! > > However.... > >
**Please use the Java Script script for the functional navigation bar (an >
example of the code is found in links.math.rpi.edu/devmodules/template) >
> **I know we're still having problems with Tech Explorer in Netscape--is
it > possible to use HTML tags for some of the equations and variables?
Please be > sure to specify appropriate width and height parameters in the
math scripts > you are using to help minimize the scrollbar in Netscape
problems. > > **Using Prior and Next Buttons--they took me through
the Terminal Velocity > Collaborate page, then it jumps back to the
Summary Applications page. Can > you fix it so the Next button takes you
completely through the module? > > **Nice crib sheet! >
> **Excellent Library section!!!! > > **Should the variables
be italicized in the text describing equations > throughout the module?
(e.g. using "y" in the first paragraph on > html/vacvel_theory.html, and
html/chain_rule.html--but happens throughout > the module.) The equations
are all italicized, and when reading the > explanatory text, some of the
variables look like they're typos or something > if they're not
italicized. > > More specific comments > >
**html/vacvel_theory.html: > > --Please join the first two
sentences with a semicolon and a comma after > therefore: "...time;
therefore,..." > > --Perhaps change the heading to Chain Rule
(instead of Math Link 1). > > --Maybe make it a pop-up box so users
won't lose their spots in the > module??? Or add a line at the bottom of
the page directing students to use > the back button on their browser to
return to where they left off in the > module. (I know Virginia thinks
that users tend to get confused if there are > too many windows opening up
within a module, but is it possible to use > Java Script to make it not
look exactly like the original browser window?) > > --Is there a
link to elaborate on the vacuum in outer space point at the > bottom of
the page? I know I'm being nit-picky, but would be cool to include > if one
exists. > > **html/vacforce_theory.html--Perhaps use boxed text
instead of the rule box > (also found in the template) > >
**Nice explanation of Behr free fall in html/vacforce_exper.html >
> **Is there a reason why there are two pages for the bob
experiment? > html/vacvel_exper.html and html/vacforce_exper.html
both describe the same > thing, but look a little different. Pick one and
go with it--I prefer the > page with more explanation (is it necessary to
offer the option of AVI or > Quicktime video?) which is the
vacforce_exper.html > > **html/fluforce_theory.html-- is it
possible to link Newton's Second Law to > a glossary entry or another
explanatory link? > > **html/fluforce_deriv.html--in the second
equation (from "and integrating > from t=0...) is the \thinsp (in red)
meant to be a symbol (an integral > perhaps?)--a math script
glitch? > > **html/fluvel_deriv.html--again the \thinsp code in
"And integrating from > y=0..." > >
**fluvel_exer.html--please format the copyright info at the bottom of
the > page. > > **Great applets in fluvel_exper.html! >
> **html/summary_exper.html--this applet doesn't allow the user to choose
the > object from the pull-down menu, but the applet on the Practice
page > (html/summary_exer.html) does. Can you fix the one on the
exper.html page? > If the difference is intentional,can you reword the
explanation paragraph on > the bottom of the summary_exper.html
page? > > **Great use of video in Applications section! >
> **Great Collaborate Questions! > >
**html/taylor_series.html: > > --is there any way to use HTML tags
on this page instead of math scripts? > The page width with the math
scripts is problematic (but not crucial--just > annoying to have to scroll
left and right to see everything). > > --the \thinsp problem again
in the binomial series discussion > > --consider highlighting the
different series names instead of underlining > them. Or even giving them
headings within the page; it is important to > clearly distinguish the
different types of series you're talking about. > >
**html/compare_theory.html--after the first equation under CASE 1 the
";y" > isn't on the same line as the equation. > >
**html/temvel_theory.html: > > --delete "above" in first sentence
(so it reads "We have examined > quantitative differences...") >
> --in the second paragraph: consider rephrasing the second sentence to
"Since > a vacuum is devoid of matter, it has no such
interactions..." > > --in the sentences after eqn (3.2), consider
rephrasing the first one to > read "The acceleration here is not constant,
as opposed to the case of fall > in a vacuum where a=g" and the second
sentence to "Combining eqns (3.2) and > (7.1), we see that the
acceleration is zero in terminal fall." > > --in the sentence after
eqn (7.3), consider rephrasing to "It is not > necessary to solve the
differential equation (3.2) to determine terminal > velocity,
since...." > > **Appreciate the humor in "Save a Skydiver"
section--great application to > demonstrate the importance of drag
forces! > > **html/save_exer.html--please format the copyright info
at the bottom of the > page > >
**html/analexper_apply.html: > > --Please spell separate correctly
(after eqn (9.1) in "Separating > variables..." not
"Seperating...") > > --Quandary is misspelled in the heading
ANALYSIS-UNRAVELING THE QUANDARY > > --also, in point 2) after the
ANALYSIS heading, dimensionless is misspelled > > --in eqn (9.1),
m/s is on a different line than 0.977 > > --please format the
copyright info at the bottom of the page. > > --Great use of
practice and collaborate sections within this page! Having > the students
move from page to page (with appropriate reminders as to where > they
should be) breaks up the exercises and engages them in the lesson. >
> --double check to make sure the width and height parameters are correct
on > the math equations (or change the simpler ones to HTML tags). >
> **html/analexper_deriv.html: > > --Equation is misspelled
in the first sentence > > --m/s is on a different line in eqn
(9.1) > > --Also, separating misspelled in the "Separating
variables..." line. > > **html/analexper_discuss.html: >
> --Q1 "the experiment is carried out in air, not a vacuum"--missing a
comma > between air and not. > > --Q2 "Why do eqns (9.2) and
(9.3) essentially give the same result?"--flip > flop essentially and
give, and put parentheses around the eqn numbers (for >
consistency). > > --Q2 "Show mathematically that when {eqn} and
{eqn} are small, eqns (9.2) > and (9.3) are identical."--missing a comma
between small and eqns. > > **html/dynamicsm_theory.html: >
> --Consider rephrasing the first sentence to "Using the concept of
dynamic > similarity, we will show that the motion..." > > I
really enjoyed working through the Drag Forces module! You really have >
made excellent use of the web medium and provide engaging activities
for > your students! Excellent job! > > If you have any
questions or comments, please email or call. > > Best
regards, > > Ann Navin > > > > >
> > > > >