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 Ratings
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| Reviewed: |
May 18, 2010 by Information Technology Editorial Board |
| Overview: |
This is a section of a larger tutorial. According to the authors, "The purpose of this lesson is to give you the power to pick the exact colors you would like your web page to display for backgrounds, text, links, etc." The lesson provides a discussion of RGB color on the WWW and of how to identify them using a 6-digit hexadecimal format. It provides brief explanations, a chart comparing Base 10 and Base 16, and several examples of the result of using different hexadecimal values. Other sections of the larger tutorial involve use of color in HTML as well as of images. The authors identify that "This unit will take about 10 minutes to go through and there will be a quiz at the end. There will also be some "magical" fun at the end." |
| Learning Goals: |
-Understand the foundations of color: primary colors, light refraction, and white light.
-Define a color based upon the hexadecimal color code.
-Determine the base of colors.
-Experiment and create color with the hexadecimal color code. |
| Target Student Population: |
College or high school students beginning to study Web page design and/ or development.
-Web site design students -Computer science students -Color photography students |
| Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills: |
Familiarity with html would be helpful to make use of this knowledge, but the understanding can be useful by itself. |
| Type of Material: |
Lecture and presentation. A quiz question at the end of several pages and a longer quiz at the end. Also a tutorial. |
| Recommended Uses: |
To give students an interactive experience with the use of hexadecimal values to determine color.
Introductory web site designers and introductory photography students. |
| Technical Requirements: |
Internet access. |
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| Strengths: |
The content of the Color on the Web section of this material is valid. This is basic information that retains its accuracy over the decades. It is important for basic understanding of Web page design and development. As the authors say, "ou could just use words like light blue, yellow, etc, in your html, but then you will be limited to the colors you know the names of and thats not always exactly what you want. Likewise, if you use the colors that come with a software program like Dreamweaver, or Frontpage, you will be limited to the palette of colors they display for you. But, if you understand the secret code to color on the Webwell, then you have the ability to define color exactly as you would like it displayed. AND THAT'S POWER!"
The site uses very easy to understand terms and language to describe color and the creation of color. -Easy to navigate. -Interactive in that students are able to test what they have just read with an activity. -Contains a quiz to self-check the knowledge. -Contains an experiential learning event where students are allowed to experiment with the hexadecimal color code and immediately see the color applied to their current web page. |
| Concerns: |
The main home page shows a last update of 2006. It would give more credibility to the site to have it shown as updated annually. |
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Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool |
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| Strengths: |
Material is presented in a clear and simple manner. Most pages include an interactive quiz question is at the end. A longer quiz is provided at the end of the lesson; feedback is immediate. There are also examples of different values and opportunities to experiment with your own values.
The site is interactive and allows students to apply the knowledge immediately to see what various colors look like on the screen. -Contains quizzes and check-points as the student progresses through the lesson. -Allows students to go back and forth in the content to review and retake quizzes. |
| Concerns: |
The other side of simplifying is that material is omitted. Some students may be interested in further information. No links to resources are provided.
The site should be updated annually. |
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Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty |
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| Strengths: |
The presentation is easy to use. In keeping with what usability studies show about how people read on the WWW, short, cohesive units of information are provided on each page, followed by a quiz question to confirm understanding. |
| Concerns: |
- The frequent use of "click here" for links is a hindrance to accessibility especially for people using screen readers.
- Links to other parts of the site are embedded. Readers may not understand when they are leaving the Color on the Web lesson. The information on other sections regarding html is old and no longer valid. |
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| Other Issues and Comments: |
The only issue found was the site hasn't been updated since 2006. It is preferred that sites are visited and updated annually. The issue of updating maybe should cost the site in the overall rating, but the content is so well done and still appears to be of use, that it wasn't deducted. |
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