Teaching Web Design Through Community Service Projects
Jonathan Lazar
As the importance of the World Wide Web grows, universities are developing a number of courses that teach students about the World Wide Web. In traditional information systems courses such as Systems Analysis and Design, there is a base ofresearch on the content ofthe course, as well as the methods and approaches to teaching the material. However, in teaching about the World Wide Web, there are not established standards on how to present the course material, or even on what material (programming, usability, design applications, etc.) to present. This paper describes a web design course in which students learn about programming concepts as well as usability concerns, and design web sites for non-profit organizations in the local community. The advantages and disadvantages of this approach are discussed.
Jonathan Lazar is an assistant professor in the Department of Computer and Information Sciences in the College of Science and Mathematics at Towson University. Dr. Lazar earned his PhD in information systems at the University of Maryland. He has a number ofresearch publications focusing on human-computer interaction issues in the Internet environment. Specifically, Dr. Lazar is interested in user error, user training, user-centered design, and web usability. He is the author of the book, User-Centered Web Development, to be published by Jones andBartlettPublishers in Ianuary 200 I. Dr. Lazar has taught many information systems courses, including courses insystemanalysis, system design, human-computer interaction, web development, online communities, and database management. Heis interested in integrating community servicewithcourses and research information systems and was named the Tows on University Faculty Advisor of the Year in May, 2000.
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