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 Electric Potential 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).

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.

Electric Potential    links.math.rpi.edu/devmodules/electromagnetism/electricpotential

Content Developers: Min, Fredericks

Programmers: Fredericks, HTML; Malak, Java

General Comments:

Great intro! Is there sound to the lightning bolts? (I haven't been able to hear any if there is supposed to be a "zzzzzt" sound included). You introduce the concepts well and let the student's know what to expect from the module.

Great animations, applets and interactive examples throughout this module as well! (I, personally, had fun making science into art in the Point Charge applets). Fantastic use of the medium!

However...

v Please use the appropriate Java script script for the functional navigation bar

v   Is it possible to use HTML tags for some of the equations instead of math scripts? The scroll bar view-ability issue with Tech Explorer is still a problem, so if you are using math scripts, can you ensure the appropriate height and width parameters are specified?

v The horizontal rule at the bottom of each page is redundant and can be removed.

v Can you please ensure that the text is the same size on every page? e.g. html/review1_theory.html--the text gets smaller and hard to read half-way down the page.

v I find the continuous animated gifs distracting--is there a way to animate them only when the user interacts with them in some way? It is also hard to tell where/when the looping gifs start in illustrating a point.

v You can link the derivation of "Review pt.2" to the "Review pt. 1" (and perhaps just rename the page "Electrostatic Review")--please use the derivation button feature to link the pages. That will eliminate the redundancy of the same Discover section showing up in both places.

v Please stick with the Content heading (as opposed to the functionality heading) as the title of the pages (so you don't need a page entitled: Definition of Potential--Concepts)

v Nice Applications section in "Definition of Potential". Great resources and examples!

v Is it possible to find other applications examples to fill in some of the other sections that don't have one?

v What about practice problems to put in the Practice section for each topic?

v Is it possible to include a summary section that reiterates the module objectives? Perhaps include some practice problems that touch on each topic of the module?

More Specific Comments:

v html/start.html: change the first line to..."In this module, we will explore..." instead of "In this module, you will explore"--it keeps the structure parallel with the remaining paragraph.

v I know we're still working on the module map thing (so there isn't much you can do for that), but please include the prior and next arrows with the appropriate path. And can you change "forward and backward arrows" to "prior and next arrows" in the middle paragraph from the html/start.html page:

v Also, on the start page, the Prerequisites link in the last paragraph goes here: html/prerequisites.html, which looks like an old page. Is there an updated version you can use instead?

v html/review1_theory.html--is the term "external agent" toward the end of the page meant to be linked to a glossary entry?

v html/plates_theory.html--please fix the copyright info on the bottom of the page (it should be smaller and left-justified). Also, is it possible to link Equipotential surfaces and Equipotential lines (or perhaps just equipotential) to a glossary definition? Also might want to highlight the important property of a gradient of a scalar function--seems to be something the students should not overlook,but might as it is at the bottom of the page in smaller text. Perhaps simply put it in the "boxed text" box (an example is in the template).

v html/plates_apply.html--Great examples and graphics! again, the animated gif is distracting when it runs all the time. Also, can you link "dielectric" to the glossary?

v html/1pt_theory.html --what is the "SI" system? Is it worth defining? Is it possible to link the electrical permitivity of free space to a glossary link? Perhaps its worth making a nomenclature/'constants to remember' pop-up box for this module? (similar to the Nomenclature feature in the Mass Transport module--links.math.rpi.edu/devmodules/masstransport)

v html/1pt_exper.html--can you link the Field Explorer applet reference to the appropriate place? Also, can you please change the color of the text for the word cyan--its really hard to read in cyan--perhaps use something like "(this color)" in cyan after the word itself. Perhaps move the (Remember) link to the end of the sentence (or even link the "electric field unit" to the appropriate page).

v html/2opt_apply.html--again with the animated gifs. Also, perhaps replace the rule box with the boxed text box. The link for "web pages" on the bottom of the page doesn't go anywhere.

v html/gline_theory.html--is it possible to use the derivation and solve features in this page? Lots of information and equations here that might be more digestible if they're broken up into a derivation. Also, can you format the copyright information on the bottom of the page?

v html/dip_taylor_theory.html--again, the derive and solve features might be good to use on this page. And the copyright information should be formatted. Perhaps link the Taylor Series Expansion of a Function to a glossary or explanation page.

v html/dipole_theory.html--is it possible to link "Taylor Series Expansion of a Function" at the bottom of the page to the Taylor Series page?

I enjoyed working through your module--you've taken advantage of the medium with great examples and interactive applets! You're well on your way to completing a fantastic module!

Again, if you have any questions, comments, or complaints, please contact me--navina@rpi.edu, or ext. 6136.

Best regards,

Ann