Caveat emptor seems to be the underlying theme today. When it comes to online classes and text books, as usual, the plainer the better. In the late 1990s flashy, gaudy, graphics and color heavy sites were the norm. Not because the site needed to be, but because they could be. Today, austere, plain and uncluttered seems to be the preference. Not because the web designer didn’t know how, but because he or she new that “the plainer the better.” Here’s why, the user interface is all we have, I don’t want to wade past .gifs, scrolling banners, and flash animation. I want the information I need and I want it now! I suspect that I am not alone. I think we’ve done fine with text books for many years. That’s ok if you want to “enhance” a book with video, java, flash, shockwave players, adobe pdfs and what-not. It’s not ok if I have to use IE6, flash, shockwave players, adobe pdfs, java and real player. It’s not ok and it’s not acceptable! I suggest anyone who uses CourseCompass.com to complain as loudly as possible. I’m doing my part by email and blog. Please do yours, your children will thank you.
Post a Comment