Communication and Media Studies 326

COMS 326: Data-Driven Web Design

Credit hours (3)
Note(s): Scientific and Quantitative Reasoning designated course.


This course provides practice in using quantitative and qualitative data to design interactive Web sites and using analytic data to evaluate their  effectiveness. Course also discusses how forms of various analytic data  can be used to measure search engine optimization, usability, and  accessibility.


Detailed Description of Course Content

Students learn about the scientific method and how to conduct quantitative and qualitative UX research that is used to guide Web design process. Web coding, web editors, and content management systems are used for website creation. Search engine optimization (SEO) will be examined and implemented to increase traffic. Web based analytic tracking tools will be employed to gauge SEO effectiveness and measure a variety of metrics. Additionally, usability and accessibility standards will also be applied. Analytic tools will be used to measure usability, accessibility, and load time using mathematical calculations resulting in a numerical score that can be further evaluated for Website improvement.

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course


 


Lectures will focus on common research methodologies used for UX research and legal, aesthetic and theoretical issues while laboratory time will be spent on exercises. Laboratory instruction will begin with a demonstration of a program or technique using an overhead projection of a computer screen. Students will work alone and in groups using computers and related equipment to create websites and web content. Asynchronous learning resources will also be made available on the web via a learning management system.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this course will have acquired skills that will enable them to:
    1) Create websites and web related content for a variety of jobs, particularly the field of communication,
    2) Critique and make adequate judgments regarding aesthetics, usability, optimization, tracking, and file size,
    3) Have a good understanding of the legal and ethical rights and responsibilities of the mass media in dealing with various
       web-based content including sound, video, and images.


Assessment Measures

The assessment measures proposed include weekly applied assignments and a final project.

 

 

Review and Approval
May, 2011
April, 2016

Revised June, 2023