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 copyediting the module. I reallize Virginia reviewed your Mass Transport 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.
Mass Transport links.math.rpi.edu/devmodules/masstransport
Content Developers: Newell, Manson, Drew, Porter
Programmers: Porter, HTML; Stockfisch, Java
General Comments:
Great Intro! It introduces the content in a real-world way and gives the students a good set-up for the module.
Nice touch in mentioning the technical requirements for the module!
Fantastic nomenclature section--excellent use of the medium!
Good objective statements--clear, concise, specific.
Great windows in the Derive and Solve sections for most concepts--very helpful, but not intrusive or confusing.
However...
v Please use the JavaScript script for the Functional Navigation Bar (see the Template for an example at http://links.math.rpi.edu/devmodules/template/).
v We are trying to implement the prior and next buttons in the side navigation bar as well (again, please see the template)--they can be scripted so the user can navigate the module in a specific order.
v Stick with the content heading (as opposed to the functionality heading) as the title on the pages (e.g. on html/sngchmbr_apply.html, use "Concentration in a Single Chamber", not "Apply").
v Great examples on the Applications pages!
v perhaps move the exercises in the Discover section into the Practice section in each subset of the module (e.g. html/twosrc_exper.html--the table and following question under "exercises" can go onto a Practice page). The applets are good in the Discover section for the students to play around with and "discover" what's going on.
v Is it possible to include a Summary section that briefly reviews the main points of the module?
v Don't forget about the Library section to include a list of your resources.
More Specific Comments:
v html/sngchmbr_theory.html--should the second sentence under UNITS be "Other applications may use..." instead of "Other apply may use..." (BTW: the correct functional heading should be applications, not apply).
v html/dilute_apply.html--if there are no Industrial examples, you should delete the heading for them (at the bottom of the page).
v html/itvemix1_derive.html--can you make sure the page width is correct on this page? Also, the Concepts link for this page is broken.
v html/itvemix_apply.html--is there content to put on this page? perhaps this is an old link?
v html/sngnsink_exper.html--please fix the copyright information on the bottom of the page (it needs to be smaller and left-justified).
v Collaborate Questions--there are several good questions that might be better in the collaborate section. Good discussion questions and thought problems for students to apply what they're learning in the module to real-world situations:
html/dilute_exper.html--perhaps move teh Determining Lung Volume exercise to the Collaborate section
html/twochmbr_exper.html--perhaps movet he Drug Delivery questions into the Collaborate section
html/twosink_exper.html--again, perhaps move the Drug Delivery questions to the Collaborate section
html/nchmbr_exper.html--the Lake Pollution questions might be better in Collaborate, and the Drug Delivery Questions in Practice. Also, please correct the size of the copyright information at the bottom of the page.
v Is it possible to include Collaborate quesitons in some of the other sections? The examples and practice questions are all good uses of real-world situations--is it possible to expand them into an additional discussion question?
v html/twosink_solve12.html--is this page unfinished? Perhaps its an old link?
v html/nchmbr_apply.html--are there examples for the Environmental and Industrial applications? Again, delete the headings if there won't be any content for them.
I enjoyed working through your module! As a biologist myself, I very much appreciate the drug delivery examples and lake pollution applications. Great use of the medium with your applets and external links to other examples and resources!
Please contact me if you have any questions or comments (navina@rpi.edu, or ext. 6136)
Best regards,
Ann