TCO 325 Spring 2012
Multimedia Evaluation Assignment


Directions

This is a group assignment. Using a provided course rubric as a model, construct your own evaluation rubric based on the principles of multimedia development and use it to conduct a rigorous evaluation of three online multimedia products. Your evaluation should include, at a minimum, ratings and written descriptions of audience relevance, design elements, media use, quality and usability. The products chosen must be approved in advance by the instructor, and be accessible by both the instructor and other students. This assignment is worth 100 points.

Due dates

• Due by February 21: Part A -- your list of three multimedia products & their location (url) for instructor approval.
• Due by March 13: Part B -- a complete copy of your report for peer review
• Due by March 15: your final report (submit your peer reviewed report as well).

The following steps are suggested elements of your paper; you may certainly add or modify as best fits your perspective.

Step 1: Evaluate Media

• Examine images (all formats)
• Examine animation for effectiveness and quality
• Evaluate audio and video components if present for effectiveness and quality
• Evaluate appropriateness of MM elements for audience

Step 2: Review General MM Site or Product Design

Review site hierarchy and the use of templates or consistent design. Determine if there are metaphors and if so, how they impact interface quality and navigation elements. Determine if the site/product follows commonly accepted web design principles & standards.

Step 3: Determine Significance of Content

Consider the distribution of content throughout the product -- is it loosely organized or does it represent a logical flow? Is it chunked appropriately so that users aren't overwhelmed, and are transitions present and effective? Does the product have an introduction and conclusion?

Step 4: Test Functionality (Usability testing)
Check to see if:

• Media plays as intended
• Navigation links work
• Exit options are placed appropriately
• Any other problems exist in using the product

Step 5: Spelling & Grammar
This is self-explanatory.

Step 6: User Motivation and Interest
Determine if:

• The content and MM elements engage users
• Media helps users focus or is distracting
• The product has novelty, originality, etc
• Whether or not the product is appropriate for the audience

End your evaluation report with a summary paragraph summarizing your reviews. Identify the one (or more if this is the case) products that you consider to be the best, and why.

Your written paper should follow this order:

• Introduction/Exec Summary
• Overview of MM products that were reviewed (with location information) along with an explanation of your rubric or evaluation method used
• Product 1 overview/intro
• Product 1 comprehensive review
• Product 2 overview/intro
• Product 2 comprehensive review
• Product 3 overview/intro
• Product 3 comprehensive review
• Summary with best product & justification; how this product review helped your critique & evaluation skills

You are not bound by maximum or minimum page requirements. Just remember that you will be graded on the quality and substance of the evaluations.
Given the page outline above, you should have ample guidance to compose this report! Just let me know if you have questions.

Example Report -- this is a graduate level paper; you are not expected to produce a paper of this length or comprehensiveness. Just use it as a guide.

Sample Rubric -- again, use this as a guide, but construct your own.

© COPYRIGHT 2012 Susan Codone Mercer University Department of Technical Communication