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