..........................................................
 __     __ __     __ __     __  web's eye view
| | /| / /| | /| / /| | /| / /  February 6, 2001 
| |/ |/ / | |/ |/ / | |/ |/ /   Maricopa Center for 
|__/|__/  |__/|__/  |__/|__/      Learning & Instruction
..........................................................
http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/eye/
..........................................................


The freshest bag of URLs is ready for pickup at
   http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/eye/bag/curr.html


Help us refill by dropping interesting sites into:
   http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/eye/bag/drop.html

Usability for Not So Dummies
============================
Jakob Nielsen's Alertbox for February 4 is now online at:
  http://www.useit.com/alertbox/20010204.html

Opponents of the usability movement claim that it focuses on stupid users
and that most users can easily overcome complexity. In reality, even smart
users prefer pursuing their own goals to navigating idiosyncratic designs.
As Web use grows, the price of ignoring usability will only increase.


Fed Ed Rep on the Web
=====================

The Power of the Internet for Learning: 
Final Report of Web-Based
Education Commission

"The final report of the Web-Based Education Commission (WBEC) was published on 19 December 2000.  Senator Bob Kerrey (D. Neb.), Chairman, and Representative Johnny Isakson (R. Ga.), Vice-Chairman of the Web-Based Education Commission urge the new Administration and 107th Congress to make  E-learning a centerpiece of the nation's education policy."

Japanense Students Phone in Class
=================================
from a report in EDUPAGE:

"THANKS TO CELL PHONES, JAPANESE STUDENTS SWAP E-MAIL IN CLASS
Japanese students frequently use their e-mail-enabled cell phones
in class, a recent study found. Konan University professor
Hiroshi Shimada began his study of 915 university students after
noticing those in his own class had become engrossed in their
phones. His study found that, among the students, 90 percent had
e-mail-enabled cell phones, 65 percent received or sent at least
one e-mail in a class period, and 30 percent received or sent up
to four e-mails in one class. The cell-phone-e-mail craze is
growing even though the messages must be short--250 letters or
kanji characters or less. Also, the cost of e-mailing over cell
phones can be expensive, 3 cents per e-mail, which can quickly add
up. The Japanese students seem undeterred, observers say. Colin
Williamson, a U.S. exchange student, remarks, 'It's like
everybody has access to everybody else all the time. It's a
nation of telepaths.'"