[WEB4LIB] Information Literacy (was Jargon...which was Usability)

[Jenny Levine]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Blake Carver"
> So can we design a site that leads the users, and provides definitions or
> help as it goes? Can the instruction and the site content be transparently
> combined? I think so.

     At some point on this list (probably a couple of years ago), someone posted a link to
a library's web site that employed drop down menus as the main navigation element on the
home page. It started with one drop down, and when you made your selection, a second drop
down appeared. Make a second selection and a third drop down appeared to help narrow down
your choices even further.
    I think a similar structure might have some value in this context because it could
include both jargon and more user-friendly terms (as long as the lists don't get too big).
Each successive drop down could gently direct the user to the appropriate term while still
displaying and appearing to use the user-friendly synonym. I don't like this as the only
form of navigation, but it could be useful for helping identify databases and research
tools while throwing in some information literacy on the side.
    Of course, now I can't find the URL for that site. I think it was an academic
library's site - does this ring a bell with anyone else?

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Jenny Levine                                          125 Tower Drive
Internet Development Specialist              Burr Ridge, IL 60527
Suburban Library System                       +1 (630) 734 5141
http://www.sls.lib.il.us/                            levinej at sls.lib.il.us
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