Principles of Effective Web Design
Grant Warren Sherson · 2005
use of web pages to support and deliver learning is founded on an understanding of effective web site design where even small changes can have a large effect on quality. This presentation is a summary of existing views of best practice and identifies key principles based on human computer interface and web design guidelines. Applying these principles can help turn a website into a more effective web based communication channel whether the material is developed using a web editor or a within a learning management system. Introduction As an ex-schoolteacher I have always been interested in the importance of effective communication. My specific interest in Human Computer Interface design goes back to 1986 when I received an Apple® Software Development Award and began software development as a hobby. Through involvement in another Apple® project in 1989 I began developing HyperCardTM software. My project involved the development of an interactive adventure game for schools, incorporating Marae protocols, called The Adventure of the Lost Tiki. development process included considerable peer review and extensive reading about human-computer interface design. (figure 1). On the basis of this HyperCardTM experience I subsequently developed and published a further nine internationally distributed software packages for education. In each case I carefully considered interface and usability issues.