10201198Social Media/Web Design Strategies
Course Information
Description
This course will introduce essential strategies that make for successful websites and social media campaigns. Topics covered include: User Experience, User Research, Content Strategy, Information Architecture, Search Engine Optimization, Analytics, Accessibility, Social Media, and the Mobile Web. Students work on real world case studies to learn and practice skills that can be applied in any profession that works with social media or websites.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
  1. Summarize business goals and user experience of a website
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz
    Written Product
    Criteria
    Identify strengths and weaknesses of the website user experience
    Describe specific business goals behind a website
    Relate website to larger business strategy
    You meet minimum score or better on quiz

  2. Conduct user research
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz
    Written Product
    Usability Test
    Criteria
    Describe the principles of usability
    Describe methods for usability testing
    Identify three most important tasks that website users should accomplish
    Relate three tasks to larger business strategy
    Analysis includes results of testing
    You meet minimum score or better on quiz

  3. Evaluate website accessibility practices
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz
    Written Product
    Criteria
    Describe how page titles, alternate text for images, use of headings, contrast, color use, and navigation impact accessibility
    Identify a variety of accessibility barriers
    Relate website accessibility to mobile applications and devices
    Determine if website is mobile-friendly
    Recommend how to make a website mobile-friendly through responsiveness or a separate mobile site
    You meet minimum score or better on quiz

  4. Make recommendations for improving site architecture
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz
    Site Map Diagram
    Criteria
    Identify components of content strategy
    Examine site navigation
    Diagram includes a graphical chart of website content
    Diagram maps content in a clear and organized way that conveys meaning
    Diagram follows guidelines and conventions in textbook
    Create content recommendations in a new diagram
    Rationalize recommended changes in the site map
    You meet minimum score or better on quiz

  5. Make recommendations for improving social media presence
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz
    Written Product
    Criteria
    Identify social media presence of a business, including integration with the website
    Describe existing content of social media posts
    Include recommendations for posting frequency and content
    Include recommendations for relating content to business goals
    Include recommendations of how to link social media to website if not present
    You meet minimum score or better on quiz

  6. Make recommendation for improving search engine optimization (SEO)
    Assessment Strategies
    Quiz
    Written Product
    Criteria
    List keywords related to business goals and website
    Explain the role of mobile and social media in search engine optimization
    Describe the search engine optimization process
    Relate communication and design choices to SEO ranking
    Identify role of analytics in business goal planning
    You meet minimum score or better on quiz

  7. Recommend website improvements
    Assessment Strategies
    Final Project
    Written Product
    Criteria
    Project specifies improvements in usability, site design,  and accessibility
    Project describes overall user experience
    Project identifies techniques to improve search engine optimization
    Project illustrates information architecture behind the website
    Project offers strategies to improve integration of social media
    Project references a functioning website

  8. Participate in a social media experience
    Assessment Strategies
    Post in Social Media Environment
    Criteria
    You post content in a social media environment
    Post relates to course concepts/content
    You meet the minimum number of posts specified by instructor

  9. Manage a social media/website design project
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product - Mock Client
    Criteria
    You choose a client
    You assess social media/website design needs of your client
    You relay concepts and importance of recommendations clearly to the decision maker
    You present a case for your recommendations
    You avoid using a negative or harsh tone in client communications
    You provide a diplomatic critique and use business appropriate language