2: Analysing Websites

LESSON AIMS
Analysing websites to inform design decisions is a common practice among professional designers. In the real world designer’s look to one another’s work to assess what works, what doesn’t, and to keep tabs on new industry standards and trends. 
This activity will teach you how to analyse websites to determine audience, purpose, validity, usability, and accessibility in order to help inform future design decisions.
Design Skills
• Designing for usability and accessibility

Project management skills 
• Designing for a specific audience and purpose

Research and communication skills 
• Evaluating and analysing content validity 
• Evaluating and analysing website navigation 
• Analysing and critiquing websites 
• Understanding copyright issues and fair-use guidelines 
• Advocating and practicing legal use of images 
• Collecting and analysing audience needs and purpose to inform design

Technical skills 
Dreamweaver 
• Understanding accessibility
Assessment Objectives

CIE 9607 Media Studies AS
AO2: Apply knowledge and understanding to show how meanings are created when analysing media products and when evaluating their own practical work.
AO4: Undertake and apply appropriate research
AO3: Plan and construct media products using appropriate technical and creative skills

ISTE NETS*S: Curriculum and Content Area Standards – NETS for Students
Research and Information Retrieval: Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information. Students: 
a. plan strategies to guide inquiry. 
b. locate, organise, analyse, evaluate, synthesise, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media. 
c. evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on the appropriateness to specific tasks 

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources. Students: 
d. use multiple processes and diverse perspectives to explore alternative solutions 

Digital Citizenship: Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behaviour. Students: 
a. advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology.