An Empirical Review of Industry Preferences in the Design of E-Commerce Web Sites

This paper discusses several theoretical factors underlying successful Web-site design based on the research literature. Factors such as navigation strategies, animation, search capability, multilingual capability, and the use of color, graphics and icons are included. After identifying the significance of these Web characteristics, the paper reports on the results of an empirical study on Web-site design characteristics based on over 400 e-commerce Web sites that included six industry classifications. While some companies utilize traditional Web-site design approaches, others relied on different factors in their design

Providing Intelligent and Adaptive Support in Concept Map-based Learning Environments

abstract: Concept maps are commonly used knowledge visualization tools and have been shown to have a positive impact on learning. The main drawbacks of concept mapping are the requirement of training, and lack of feedback support. Thus, prior research has attempted to provide support and feedback in concept mapping, such as by developing computer-based concept mapping tools, offering starting templates and navigational supports, as well as providing automated feedback. Although these approaches have achieved promising results, there are still challenges that remain to be solved. For example, there is a need to create a concept mapping system that reduces the extraneous effort of editing a concept map while encouraging more cognitively beneficial behaviors. Also, there is little understanding of the cognitive process during concept mapping. What’s more, current feedback mechanisms in concept mapping only focus on the outcome of the map, instead of the learning process. This thesis work strives to solve the fundamental research question: How to leverage computer technologies to intelligently support concept mapping to promote meaningful learning? To approach this research question, I first present an intelligent concept mapping system, MindDot, that supports concept mapping via innovative integration of two features, hyperlink navigation, and expert template. The system reduces the effort of creating and modifying concept maps while encouraging beneficial activities such as comparing related concepts and establishing relationships among them. I then present the comparative strategy metric that modes student learning by evaluating behavioral patterns and learning strategies. Lastly, I develop an adaptive feedback system that provides immediate diagnostic feedback in response to both the key learning behaviors during concept mapping and the correctness and completeness of the created maps. Empirical evaluations indicated that the integrated navigational and template support in MindDot fostered effective learning behaviors and facilitating learning achievements. The comparative strategy model was shown to be highly representative of learning characteristics such as motivation, engagement, misconceptions, and predicted learning results. The feedback tutor also demonstrated positive impacts on supporting learning and assisting the development of effective learning strategies that prepare learners for future learning. This dissertation contributes to the field of supporting concept mapping with designs of technological affordances, a process-based student model, an adaptive feedback tutor, empirical evaluations of these proposed innovations, and implications for future support in concept mapping.Dissertation/ThesisDoctoral Dissertation Computer Science 201

Understanding an Organization and Developing the Web Site

Web site developers frequently become captivated with technology and ignore the needs of the users while developing web sites. This can result in confusing user interfaces, unstructured information, and improper content. Once a web site is in place it can be very costly to redesign and time consuming to redesign it. This paper analyzes the principles of web site design and the design of public sector web sites. Research shows that as citizens use the web with increasing frequency, redesigning a web site can make it more accessible, usable, and engaging. Other studies on web site design demonstrate that the proper use of navigational tools can also improve the user experience. To show the practical application of the principles discussed the information needs of the Orange County Recreation and Parks Department are studied. The study consists of a stakeholder analysis, user analysis, information analysis, prototype design, and prototype redesign

Website Design and Development for College and University Recreation Programs Accredited by the NRPA/AALR Council on Accreditation

This study identified current trends in website design and development for college and university recreation programs accredited by the NRPA/AALR Council on Accreditation. Emphasis was on design, content, governance, and development. The study was an attempt to provide insight for program administrators by identifying current practices related to website design and development. This was the first study to identify current trends in website design and development at nationally accredited recreation programs. This information can be used to evaluate existing websites and plan future website development. Data were collected using an electronic survey instrument created with E-listen software. Three invitations were emailed to program administrators at college and university recreation programs accredited by the NRPA/AALR Council on Accreditation (n=98). Basic descriptive statistics including measures of central tendency and frequency distributions were calculated to address the research questions. The results of this study showed that faculty were most often responsible for their program’s website construction, content and design input, and maintenance. Students did not play a large role in these responsibilities. The websites were most commonly maintained monthly. The most common components available on program websites were informative and served as marketing and recruiting tools. The majority of websites did not contain components for student entertainment or communication. Over half of the websites included links to professional organizations’ homepages. Just under half of the websites did not include a link to the National Recreation and Park Association

Training of Crisis Mappers and Map Production from Multi-sensor Data: Vernazza Case Study (Cinque Terre National Park, Italy)

This aim of paper is to presents the development of a multidisciplinary project carried out by the cooperation between Politecnico di Torino and ITHACA (Information Technology for Humanitarian Assistance, Cooperation and Action). The goal of the project was the training in geospatial data acquiring and processing for students attending Architecture and Engineering Courses, in order to start up a team of "volunteer mappers". Indeed, the project is aimed to document the environmental and built heritage subject to disaster; the purpose is to improve the capabilities of the actors involved in the activities connected in geospatial data collection, integration and sharing. The proposed area for testing the training activities is the Cinque Terre National Park, registered in the World Heritage List since 1997. The area was affected by flood on the 25th of October 2011. According to other international experiences, the group is expected to be active after emergencies in order to upgrade maps, using data acquired by typical geomatic methods and techniques such as terrestrial and aerial Lidar, close-range and aerial photogrammetry, topographic and GNSS instruments etc.; or by non conventional systems and instruments such us UAV, mobile mapping etc. The ultimate goal is to implement a WebGIS platform to share all the data collected with local authorities and the Civil Protectio

Sustainable Syracuse: A Community Revitalization Initiative Through Green Mapping

A reinvention of Syracuse’s identity is taking place. A once industrial hub that could tout the Eerie Canal as its central lifeline and Onondaga Lake as a popular, American vacation spot has found itself fighting for two major development goals: sustainability and redeveloping low-income neighborhoods. “Creative city” development models are gaining popularity as America moves from manufacturing to service-based industries. But creative cities cannot be established using top-down approaches. When a creative city is built by the people who live in it, their passion comes through in the city’s image. What is perceived by visitors is a young, vibrant community wishing to make their home better. It is this perceived image that attracts outside investment and tourism. This phenomenon of perception having a hand in city redevelopment is one that I wish to use in creation of “Sustainable Syracuse.” It is clear that globalization is not sustainable, nor desirable in maintaining a local, personal identity. This map is an exercise in appreciation of local resources through the act of consumption. Said consumption does not ignore nor deny the power of consumerism, but merely manipulates it to support the local economy. It does this by mapping independently-owned businesses that utilize local resources, thus eliciting an understanding of and appreciation for the community. These sites are considered social capital, or indicative of a social relationship structure from which people can achieve goals for their community. I chose sites that support sustainable ideals by networking primarily and asking people about their favorite places. I also conducted internet research using local blogs on sustainability, referring to local mapping projects and using national “green” directories. A public Open Green Map was created to organize these sites. It is supplemented by a visual study in the mapmaking experience. The paper map I created is my interpretation of the aerial and bird’s-eye view maps that inspired my research. It is meant to incite the same kind of enthusiasm felt viewing a bird’s-eye map while exploiting the rationality and ease of navigation that comes with a traditional street map