DTC 356Search, Organization, & Information Architecture

(Electronic Research & the Rhetoric of Information)

What We’ll LearnWe will learn information architecture.

We will learn how people search so we can organize things so they can be easily found.

We will learn how people organize things so we can efficiently find what we are looking for.

Class WebsiteKeep this URL handy, this is the main source of

class information:

http://bit.ly/dtc-356 !

http://dtc-wsuv.org/nschiller/dtc356/2013-fall

Student sites

You will all have a web site on this server

When you sign the sheet today, indicate the name you want your site to have.

Your URL will look like this: dtc-wsuv.org/nschiller/dtc356/{your-title}

Assignments

You’ll use your site to turn in assignments

Assignments will be .pdf files with your name in the title.

Readings:Textbook:

Everything is Miscellanous by David Weinberger

Other readings on

class site.

Available:At the Bookie !ebook | Google Books used online (shipping may be slow)

Reading Responses

On Friday of every week (except for weeks, 1, 7, and 15) a 450 word reading response is due on your class web site.

Responses are to be a reaction, criticism, summary, example, or other response to the assigned readings that week.

AssignmentsSearch and Organization Projects

You will do five projects organizing and searching information and item.

These will be practical applications of techniques taught in class.

You can use the same collection for each or experiment with new things.

Assignments

Academic Search Strategy Project

With a guide for other students

You will get to know one of the library’s databases as an expert and share your findings with us.

Assignments

Search Engine Optimization Analysis

You will look at a local website and make recommendations for better search engine fundability.

AssignmentsAs a capstone to show off what you have learned in this class, you will craft a final project that demonstrates expert search and/or organization skills.

You will have a lot of flexibility in what you choose. You can do a more detailed version of an earlier assignment or find a practical outlet for your new talents.