Assignment

Software

One Page Summary

Handouts

Q & A

Grade

Department of Information Studies

University at Albany

Software or Web Site Review

A professional's tools are both the source of admiration (for what they can do) and frustration (for what they cannot do). Thus, most of us have a love / hate relatrionship with the software programs that we frequently use.

Similarly, the subject material that reflects twenty-first century life today is, more often than not, found in web sites. The phenomenal growth of the World Wide Web has prompted new appreciation for the potential of computers and networks to foster communication, relief about access to otherwise difficult to retrieve information, pleasure and/or consternation about the relatively unrestricted content available on the web, anxiety about the blurring of lines that separate the print and electronic media, etc.

Using either a software program or a web site that you have chosen, prepare a 5 to 10 minute presentation on the web site.

For example, you can choose to write about an application, a utility, a data base package, system software like Windows Vista or Mac OS, a web site you connect to, "proprietary" software you use at work, a blog, whatever. However, you cannot select a word processor, a web browser, or an instant messenger (I'll explain why not in class).

You should summarize the utility of the software or web site and review any issues that are raised there. You should also think about these critically. For example,

• What is interesting about it? Why?

• What features / materials are available there?

• How can they be used by you or by others?

• How well are things organized? How could their interface, organization or overall use be improved?

• If applicable (depending on the software or web site you review), describe how it could be used in this course or in education generally.

Do not report simply on what's available feature by feature (if softeware) or page by page (if a web site). Instead draw attention to strengths and weaknesses (and what is missing). Speculate as you go too. How does this site fit in with the topics that matter to you. Give details and examples. Do not assume your reader is familiar with your topic. Remember, you are not sitting at a terminal and guiding us through a demo; you are talking about the overall experience and social utility of the software or web site. In other words, have fun with your subject.

Remember: deliver your presentation in no more than 10 minutes nor less than 5. Practice to get the timing down. See the class schedule for due dates.

PowerPoint (or equivalent presentation software)

Use PowerPoint (or equivalent presentation software) to facilitate delivery of your presentation, Prepare six slides presenting the topics that you think are most important to you and your audience.

One Page Summary

In addition, write a one page summary of your topic, briefly describing the topic and the issues you are raising. You may use this "abstract" as a speaking outline, but it should not be the text for your presentation. Remember, limit the one page summary to one page, no more.

Handouts

Make handouts (6 images per page) of your PowerPoint presentation for everyone and distribute these in class.

Q&A

Finally, be prepared to answer questions about your topic and the issues that are raised by it.

Grade

Your introduction is graded for three elements: delivery of presentation (how well you discuss your topic), informational content of presentation (what you report about the program or web site), and the effectiveness of your one page summary (how succinctly you summarize your point of view).

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Last updated: {10/1/07}