Return-Path: <nifl-technology@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id h4CK7AC04405; Mon, 12 May 2003 16:07:10 -0400 (EDT) Date: Mon, 12 May 2003 16:07:10 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <EE81FC4A94703A46976D9DF51EF1018634614A@2kexmb.hq.corp.pbs.org> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-technology@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-technology@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-technology@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: "Frances Keenan" <fkeenan@pbs.org> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-technology@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-TECHNOLOGY:2832] uunweaving graphics X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Content-Type: text/plain; Status: O Content-Length: 2286 Lines: 48 I read the article with interest. Here at PBS, we are working on a web site project for adults learning English. We are working with partners at the National Center on Adult Literacy (NCAL), Jefferson County (KY) Public Schools, and SRI International (our external evaluator). Over the past couple of years as we've developed and tested our site with learners, we have observed many of the same issues related to scrolling and the need for clear links and clear directions. We cut back on the text content more and more because we have found that everything else a learner is asked to do on a given web page (scroll, use drop down menu, write in text box, follow link) adds to the "cognitive load" and hence adds to the complexity. One thing I found disappointing in this article was its discussion of graphics. The article identified the challenge that "active graphics" present to new web users but did not discuss how graphics (and the Web is essentially a graphical environment) help in the traditional way to provide contextual clues for text. I don't think graphics are used enough in this way on the web to help communicate content. There's a sentence on p. 317 that says "Active graphics were somewhat less likely to be understood...." less understood than what? Static graphics I think. It's not clear. I'd like research (and then guidelines) about how images HELP especially on a site on which the text is at a high reading level (most sites!) Fran Keenan PBS Adult Learning Service fkeenan@pbs.org www.pbs.org/literacy/esl __________________________________________________________________ Give them words to grow by. Share a story with a child in your life today. pbskids.org/shareastory _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ This email may contain material that is confidential or proprietary to PBS and is intended solely for use by the intended recipient. Any review, reliance or distribution of such material by others, or forwarding of such material without express permission, is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender and destroy all copies. __________________________________________________________________
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Thu Mar 11 2004 - 12:17:30 EST