Content: Strategy & Design Track (CSD)

CSD1: Born to Be Wired: Technology, Communication, and the Millennial Generation

Mark Greenfield, University at Buffalo

The ongoing communications revolution combined with the coming of the Millennial generation and their love of technology will have a profound impact on college campuses. For the Millennial generation, the Internet is now the hub for all their activities, and this will increase the importance of university Web sites. Millennial students (and their parents) are behaving as customers who actively compare programs and services to make choices on their college education. Their expectation is a 24/7 service culture—always on, always connected—anytime, anywhere. Part economics, part sociology, and part IT, this presentation will provide an overview of the characteristics and traits of the Millennial generation, implications for university Web developers, and a review of the communication technologies that appeal to Millennials, including instant messaging, blogs, RSS, podcasting and texting. Guidelines and recommendations for implementation will also be provided.

This session is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 7, from 9:45 AM to 10:45 AM.

CSD2: Using Research to Inform Your Web Strategy

Douglas Tschopp, Augustana College

This session will explore the use of multiple research techniques and how they can be integrated into the Web communication plan. This will include a discussion of many simple research techniques that everyone should be using when developing and redeveloping sites.

This session is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 7, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

CSD3: Visual Design: Putting Theory Into Practice

Gillian Murrey, Vanderbilt University

Clear, engaging Web sites use the principles of visual communication to connect with their audience. This session will introduce the design theories of form, arrangement, typography, and color. Web site examples will illustrate concepts of contrast, balance, proximity, simplicity, readability, and consistency. We'll put theory into practice by discussing creative briefs, grids, effective use of white space, appropriate fonts, and designing the right "personality" for your site's audience. The resource list will include sites for inspiration and education, as well as the latest visual design styles.

This session is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 7, from 1:15 PM to 2:15 PM.

CSD4: Transforming a University's Web Presence: Challenges and Creative Solutions (One University's Experience)

Reed Meister, Princeton University

In February 2005, Princeton University launched a redesigned core Web site, introducing a host of new standards for the University. The implementation of this large core site (with more than 200 pages) was a key step in transforming the university's Web presence through significant changes in design, content, and technology. The user-centered information architecture was intended to improve access to information for all types of site visitors. The modular design and template elements facilitate the implementation of other Web sites at the university. The advanced content management system improves the processes for updating and publishing content. News functionality allows for publishing stories to multiple pages in different forms. The site also is built for universal accessibility, including Braille and aural compatibility. This presentation will outline the strategic goals and challenges of the project, the role of design and information architecture, and the technical elements that ensured success. Several topics could be covered in this discussion: the thorough process needed for selecting appropriate technologies, including the content management system; the challenge of meeting the diverse and sometimes contradictory needs of different types of stakeholders and users; the challenge of meeting both strategic communications goals and functional requirements; and the importance of multi-disciplinary teams in successful Web site development.

This session is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 7, from 2:45 PM to 3:45 PM.

CSD5: Smart Portal Web Design

Eric Meier, Rhode Island School of Design

Lisa Segura, Rhode Island School of Design

With a portal philosophy and a self-publishing structure, the RISD intranet is an example of a compelling Web environment that attracts repeated daily visits and serves its mission as a hub of school-related information. This presentation is an overview of how to develop an intranet that allows the users of the site to post their information easily and without editorial constraints. The workshop covers the development of the Rhode Island School of Design's intranet, which features dynamically generated content, a tiered-access structure for adding content, and a user interface designed for a varied user base.

This session is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 8, from 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM.

CSD6: Emerging Web Technologies: Building New Connections in Higher Education

Charlynda Winkley, University at Buffalo

Jason Myszkiewicz, University at Buffalo

The mainstream Web community has been abuzz with talk of emerging Web technologies such as RSS, blogging, wikis, and podcasting. Whether you are familiar with these technologies or not, now is the time to explore the potential opportunities for their application as part of your Web communication strategy. This two-hour seminar will begin by briefly identifying and defining a few of the most promising emerging Web technologies, demonstrating their current uses in mainstream practice. Each of these technologies will then be evaluated for its potential as a new channel of communication for institutions of higher education, for both external and internal audiences. We will explore how applications of these technologies could be implemented in a variety of ways, including creating new conduits of interaction with both students and prospects; supporting teaching efforts inside and outside the classroom; constructing more efficient internal collaboration between faculty, staff and administration; and sustaining connections with alumni.

This session is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 8, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

CSD7: Nothing To Do on Campus? Think Again and Check the Web Site

Paula Ganyard, University of Wisconsin - Green Bay

UW-Green Bay's Student Life Web site is a direct rebuttal to any student who dares to proclaim, "There is nothing to do on campus." The site is a one-stop shop for those students with some free time and the desire to put it to good use. In an effort to increase attendance at Student Life events, UW-Green Bay decided to use a event system, built from MS Access and ASP scripting, to dynamically display events based on time and date. Attendance at events increased 50% over the previous year. This event system was used not only on the Student Life page, but more importantly on the Current Students page, which receives the most hits each month.

This session is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 8, from 1:15 PM to 2:15 PM.

CSD8: Sustaining Web Content Management

Jay Collier, Dartmouth College

Finding, implementing, and sustaining the right Web content management solution can be a challenge, made all the more difficult by changing technologies, evolving standards, and complex editorial workflows. In fact, according to 2004 research from Adaptive Path, only 1 of 3 companies planned to continue using their existing systems. How do you identify current needs and future scenarios, and match them with real-world options? The leader of the Web publishing group at Dartmouth will present techniques for defining and prioritizing requirements and evaluating commercial and open-source systems. Possible long-term trends that will affect content management—such as blogs and wikis—will be considered.

This session is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 8, from 2:45 PM to 3:45 PM.