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GSLIS Website IA Project

Filed under GSLIS Jobs and Opportunities
Posted by GSLIS, September 04, 2007
View all posts for September 2007

Have you ever looked for some information on the GSLIS websites (www.simmons.edu/gslis/ and http://my.simmons.edu/gslis) and wished you could re-arrange the content? Here’s your chance!

In early August, a GSLIS team was asked to redesign the information architecture (the behind-the-scenes structure) of those two sites. The ultimate goal is to make them more user-friendly. We are looking for current GSLIS students to help us make it happen this semester. You can participate as a volunteer or as part of an independent study supervised by Assistant Dean for Technology Terry Plum. Intrigued? Read on!

The project (see the IA Project site http://gslis.simmons.edu/iaproject/ for more detail)

Why (Problem/Need): An opportunity to make the online presence of GSLIS effective for all users.

What (Solution): Create an information architecture (IA) for organizing GSLIS information online.

How (Steps):

  1. Content Inventory
  2. User Personas
  3. Card Sorting Study
  4. IA Development
  5. Paper Prototyping Testing
  6. Revise IA
  7. Retest
  8. Prepare and submit design to Simmons College web office
  9. Revise IA based on web office feedback
  10. Submit final design to web office and recommend IA for alternate GSLIS sites

Who: IA Team of GSLIS students in cooperation with the GSLIS Publications Team (Jen Doyle, Elisabeth Zimmer, Alisa Libby and Alison Cody), Caryn Anderson, and Linnea Johnson.

When: Fall 2007 term; Draft design submitted by Thanksgiving (Step 8), final design submitted before term ends (Step 10)

Where: Some activities may benefit from face to face meetings, but most work can be handled virtually. GSLIS West students are encouraged to participate.

How to participate

  • Application deadline: Friday, September 14, 2007 (note below)
  • Review of applications will begin immediately and some decisions may be made prior to the deadline
  • Submit required materials (see the IA Project site http://gslis.simmons.edu/iaproject/) to: gslisweb@simmons.edu with subject “IA Project Application.”

If you would like to participate as an Independent Study, please contact us immediately so that you can avoid financial penalties if you need to drop a class. According to Student Accounts, courses dropped on or before September 14 will have 100% of the tuition canceled/refunded (http://my.simmons.edu/services/sfs/accounts/refunds.shtml).

Participants will be an integral part of the team Student participants will work closely with current members of the team on all aspects of the project: conducting interviews, developing user personas, preparing for paper prototyping, and creating the IA. We do not expect you to have prior experience. We do expect you to be willing to learn by reading up on these techniques and asking questions. We are looking for smart, flexible, reliable people who play well with others.

A great resume-builder! Please note: Though this is an unpaid position, please don?t forget how great it will look on your resume or transcript as you look for jobs! For participants who do great work, team leaders will be glad to provide letters of recommendation for your file at the Simmons Career Education Center.

Who’s eligible?

  • You must be a registered GSLIS student who has successfully completed at least 2 GSLIS courses and the TOR.
  • You must be willing to commit at least 5 hours a week for the Fall 2007 semester.

How to apply See the IA Project site http://gslis.simmons.edu/iaproject/

If you have questions, please e-mail the team: gslisweb@simmons.edu

Thanks!
GSLIS Website IA Project Team