Leveraging Web 2.0 Technologies for KidsClick! A Redesign Project Enid J. Irwin Project Manager, KidsClick! SJSU School of Library and Information Science

History Database of librarian reviewed web sites supporting K-12 learning Previous owners / developers Ramapo Catskill Library System Colorado State Library

KidsClick! Project Three Parts Content Target: Fall 2007 SLIS Beta Test Back endInterface CSUMB/SLIS

Tasks 1.Research 2.Mapping 3.Survey design 4.Web site evaluation 5.Logo Redesign 6.Advertising 7.Information Literacy 8.Prototype Design Spring Semester

1. Research  Software Search engines Community servers Web 2.0 features  Search behaviors  Learning styles/levels  Web site evaluation

2. Mapping

3. Survey Design Goals:  Discover changes in web sites  Update database contents  Prepare data for migration  Check collection gaps

Survey Development KCDG  Selection criteria – KidsClick!  Selection criteria – LII  Input from Ramapo Catskill Library System Colorado State Library KCDG = KidsClick Design Group

Survey Form Questions: Information Disqualifiers Authority Accuracy Currency Objectivity Coverage Design Function Reading Level Accessibility Students access form on the Internet:

4. Web Site Evaluation

Web Site Evaluation End Result  Data base updated  Migration needs clarified  Collection needs known

5. Logo Redesign

6. Advertising

7. Information Literacy Goals  Update and simplify  Use audio  Try new techniques Comic Book Generator – Bill Zimmerman

Meet Dewey D!

8. Prototype Goals  Continue current functions  Expand functionality  Improve current search options  Allow room for expansion

Prototype Design Establish placement of items Set priority of items Group similar functions Select color schemes Determine coding considerations

Development  Experimenting with techniques  Coding the beta version  Getting input: Informal focus groups  Discovering what we didn’t know Summer and Fall Semester

Design Questions  Navigation ease  Understandability  Color schemes/designs  Background colors  Text size options  Menu groups Fall Semester

Focus Group Results General Observations  Focus group types  Difficulties Conclusions  Web site name  Redesign organization  Redesign colors  Search method  Font size Fall Semester

Usability Study Plans Look at:  Searching  Findability  Understandability Based on Focus Group Results Spring Semester 2008

Accomplished  Maintenance procedures  Quality control  5400 web sites  New logo and prototype  New instructional techniques Approximately 120 students involved in the redesign.

Next Steps  Beta coding (started)  New Content (started)  Web 2.0 / Interactivity (planned)  Involvement (planned)  Resource web site (planned)  Migration 2008+

Statistics Number of Students Other students: 5 classes (45 students) Assignment topic choice (6 students) 2007 SpringSummerFall RA244 Volunteers Libr

Case Study/Advocacy  Case Study –Survey Process –Strategic Planning  Advocacy –Curriculum –Recruitment Summer

An educational tool that offers hands-on experience within the scope of SLIS courses Change is constant; innovation rewarded with KidsClick!

KidsClick! today – web search for kids by future librarians KidsClick connections: Information Retrieval Basic Database Management Kids search engine for Public Libraries School Library controlled searches SLIS class: Information Retrieval Libr 202 Database Management Libr 242 Issues in Public Libraries Libr 232 School Library Media Centers, Libr 233

KidsClick! Redesign – user interface and collections Internet Applications Online Search Management Search Instructions for grades 4-10 User Interface Designs for young cliental Collection Development, ages 9-14 Diversity in Collection Info Tech Tools and Applications Libr 240 Managing Online Searching Libr 244 Design & Implementation of Instructional Strategies, Libr 250 Interface Design for Info Services Libr 251 Resources and Collection for Children or Young Adults, Libr 261/262/264/266 Library Services for Racially and Ethnically Diverse Communities, Libr 275

You are invited to play a vital role in improving the quality of a 21 st century Internet information resource. Join KidsClick! as a Web Page Content Evaluator An Invitation from SLIS …

Learn—Earn—Gain—Contribute Learn: criteria used to evaluate web pages for collection development, information literacy lessons, or personal research. Earn*: Libr 298 credit. 45 hours = one unit Gain: valuable experience that can be added to your resume Contribute: to the goal of improving the quality and consistency of data in this information resource for the 21 st century as a Web Page Content Evaluator

Lessons Learned  Primary Priorities  Skewed Time  Unexpected Expectations  Revisiting Decisions  Unreal Reality  Ups and Downs

Critical Lesson Learned Teamwork Creates Success!

Questions Enid Irwin Project Manager, KidsClick! San Jose State School of Library & Information Science

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