Competitive Analysis

1. Competitive Analysis Camino Sereno

2. Introduction Functionality Content Site Arch Navigation Design Conclusion Main Comparison Sites Blackboard http://blackboard.csupomona.edu MIT OpenCourseWare http://ocw.mit.edu Adrenaline E-Learning http://adrenaline.ucsd.edu/elearning/ DCog-HCI Lab http://hci.ucsd.edu/102a/

3. Introduction Functionality Content Site Arch Navigation Design Conclusion Additional Comparison Sites UCLA http://airto.bmap.ucla.edu/BMCweb/CourseWork/M285/ University of North Carolina http://www.musc.edu/neuroscience/ Existing Sereno Site http://cogsci.ucsd.edu/~sereno/ 107B-201/syll.html WebCT http://webct.ucsd.edu

4. Introduction Functionality Content Site Arch Navigation Design Conclusion Functionality Overview Intranet Communication Turning In Assignments Back End/Maintenance

5. Introduction Functionality Content Site Arch Navigation Design Conclusion Functionality Intranet WebCT Complete intranet portal, includes an extensive content management system, grading system, etc. Intranets allow participants of the class to login, access student-specific content, and communicate with other participants. Other sites (HCI/Distributed Cognition, MIT) do not require any registration, thus limiting the functions provided to the individual student.

6. Introduction Functionality Content Site Arch Navigation Design Conclusion Functionality Communication WebCT Each user has access to internal WebCT email system. Communication with professors, other students, and TAs is one click away. Blackboard Similar functionality as WebCT, but is simply a gateway to the user’s normal e-mail account. E-Learning Class roster with links to outside email, but no internal messaging system.

7. Introduction Functionality Content Site Arch Navigation Design Conclusion Functionality Turning In Assignments MIT OpenCourseWare, DCog-HCI Lab, UCLA Neuroscience, and UNC Neuroscience websites have no ability to turn in assignments online. E-Learning Java Uploader features easy dragging and dropping of files. Files are easily accessible to team members and professors/TA’s. WebCT and Blackboard Email-style uploading system forces user has to manually browse his/her computer.

8. Introduction Functionality Content Site Arch Navigation Design Conclusion Functionality Back End/Maintenance E-Learning Home-brew solution with roughly the same functionality as its expensive counterparts. WebCT Control panel allows the professor to edit site content. MIT OpenCourseWare Does not seem to be updated after the initial launch. E-Learning Rich-text interface for editing lectures, assignments, etc.

9. Introduction Functionality Content Site Arch Navigation Design Conclusion Content Overview Course Listings Class Information Course Homepage Lecture Notes Calendar Grades

10. Introduction Functionality Content Site Arch Navigation Design Conclusion Content Course Listings Search List all of student’s courses List all of school’s courses ? No course directory List all of professor’s courses

11. Introduction Functionality Content Site Arch Navigation Design Conclusion Content Homepage Calendar, login, class info, upcoming events, links Picture, links Class introduction, Professor contact info, announcements, links Announcements, links

12. Introduction Functionality Content Site Arch Navigation Design Conclusion Content Class Information Full syllabus Includes course title, faculty/staff info, required text, course goals, lecture topics Word document displayed in frame • Syllabus Summary • Location, time and day, links to • syllabus, roster, lecture schedule, • pictures and names of faculty/staff. • Spotlight on homepage.

13. Introduction Functionality Content Site Arch Navigation Design Conclusion Content Calendar Organizes all course info Columns: Class days Rows: Weeks Cells: Lecture notes, readings, assignments, announcements Personal student tool Includes: Personal events Format: Standard monthly, weekly and daily calendars

14. Introduction Functionality Content Site Arch Navigation Design Conclusion Content Calendar Organizes all course info Includes: lecture notes, readings, assignments Format: Collapses by week and topic Organizes all course info Includes: lecture slides, readings, deadlines, exam dates Format: Linear by week and day

15. Introduction Functionality Content Site Arch Navigation Design Conclusion Content Lecture Notes Rich text outline with bullet points, formatted to read on web Each lecture links to HTML, Word, or PDF files

16. Introduction Functionality Content Site Arch Navigation Design Conclusion Content Lecture Notes Download scanned handwritten lecture notes one page at a time or as full quarter packet

17. Introduction Functionality Content Site Arch Navigation Design Conclusion Content Grades View all course grades (Student) Adrenaline: assignment name, due date, submission date, grade, comments, rubric, files Blackboard: assignment name, date, grade, points possible, class average, and weighting scale View all student grades (Prof) Displays student thumbnail, name, submitted assignments, grade, files Individual assignment report Displays assignment information, link to assignment file, and feedback comments from instructor

18. Introduction Functionality Content Site Arch Navigation Design Conclusion Site Architecture Simple, linear, one-page layout Existing Sereno Site UCLA Class Information Tuesday Thursday Week 1 • Lecture outline • Assignments • Req. Readings • Opt. Readings • Announcements • Lecture outline • Assignments • Req. Readings • Opt. Readings • Announcements Week 1 Topic Week 2 Topic Week 3 Topic Week 4 Topic; Midterm 1 Week 2 Week 5 Topic • Lecture outline • Assignments • Req. Readings • Opt. Readings • Announcements Week 6 Topic Week 7 Topic • HOLIDAY • NO CLASS Week 8 Topic; Midterm 2; Holiday Week 9 Topic Week 10 Topic Final Exam Schedule is prominent All course info and files organized by calendar. Shows students what is going on in class and what they should be doing.

19. Introduction Functionality Content Site Arch Navigation Design Conclusion Site Architecture Small number of categories prevents info overload, but should be relevant to course structure. Drop-down menus clarify labels and link directly. Homepage is static, not functional Search is prominent Adrenaline E-Learning MIT OpenCourseWare Home Lectures Asns Resources Search Breadcrumb Course Title Weekly Calendar and Announcements Login Home Picture Class Info Syllabus Calendar Why so much space for login? Why should I login now? Lecture Notes Exams Course Highlights Study Materials Class Information Upcoming Events (unused) Related Resources Course Description Footer Footer Syllabus information is appropriately visible, while secondary to course content. Links to full syllabus. What is an event? Why aren’t there any? Sections categorize the class well. However, lack of menus necessitates extra clicks and syllabus is too prominent for frequent users. Class info does not link to syllabus for more info

20. Introduction Functionality Content Site Arch Navigation Design Conclusion Site Architecture Overwhelming # of categories. School-wide scope is too broad. Home, help, logout are important Small number of categories prevents info overload, but where are lectures and readings? Blackboard DCog HCI Home Syllabus Schedule Projects H ? x My Institution Courses Organizations Student Support Student e-Library Title (collapse sidebar) Announcements Course Description Breadcrumb Course Info Staff Information Wasted space Course Docs Professor Calendar Assignments Tests Communication Announcements (unused) Discussion Board Footer External Links Tools Links Course Map Non-standard label Footer uses too much space, should be at bottom of page Homepage is static, not functional

21. Introduction Functionality Content Site Arch Navigation Design Conclusion Navigation Navbars E-Learning Navigation bar has the power to scale up. All the Navbars are topic based. MIT and e-learning Both use highlighting within the navigation bars to help the user know where he/she is located. The group label names are pretty standard across the sites. Besides the e-Learning site, all the other sites do not have navigation bars with the power to scale up.

22. Introduction Functionality Content Site Arch Navigation Design Conclusion Navigation Miscellaneous Blackboard Lack of distinction between primary, secondary, and tertiary navigation lead Prof. Sereno to exclaim “Where am I?!” MIT OpenCourseWare The only site to employ a “Search” function which greatly aids navigation. Overlap of content in secondary and tertiary navigation leads to further confusion. UCLA These look like breadcrumbs but are actually poorly placed links to anchors on the same page. E-Learning Well placed and intuitive breadcrumbs.

23. Introduction Functionality Content Site Arch Navigation Design Conclusion Design E-learning Soft, pastel colors provide a welcoming look and feel. Overall impression seems to be aimed at making learning more fun. UCLA Not much concern with aesthetics. Straight to business with lots of content. Layout, graphics and fonts are not consistent throughout the site. The colors, fonts, borders, graphics, and layout are all consistent. Presents a modern, “ain’t your average class website” feel.

24. Introduction Functionality Content Site Arch Navigation Design Conclusion Design Blackboard Modular approach. Consistent color and font scheme, although not very pleasing to the eye. Licensing is probably the reason for a sterilized, distant, almost corporate look and feel. D-Cog Simple, modern graphics. Colors are consistent and easy on the eye. Good presentation of class material without sacrificing aesthetics. Blackboard brand is prominently projected throughout the site.

25. Introduction Functionality Content Site Arch Navigation Design Conclusion Conclusion • Functionality • Intranet allows for personalized course content but is not accessible to outsiders. • Tradeoffs between internal communication systems vs. normal email. • Assignment turn-in functions create easily accessible archives and help with grading. • Back end/maintenance allows for course websites to be dynamic. • Content • Focus on the neuroscience! • Course listings, homepage, class information, calendar, lecture notes, and grades are prevalent • Announcements section is usually empty

26. Introduction Functionality Content Site Arch Navigation Design Conclusion Conclusion • SiteArchitecture • Homepage should be functional • Calendar organizes course content well • Limit number of sections • Navigation • Navbars are mostly topic based and most sites do not have the power to scale up. • Distinction between levels of navigation need to be obvious. • Breadcrumbs and search boxes help a user know where he/she is located. • Design • Home-brew sites tend to be catered for a specific audience while licensed class web portals are more generic and bland.