Shawn A. Shepard
shawn.shepard@cox.net
1 March 2008
EdTec541 Web Based Multimedia Development Spring 2008
I manage a web site for Boy Scout Troop 24 at www.obscouts.com. It is the least expensive and most efficient way to deliver the content that the Troop uses in a accessible format and timely manner.
Currently, the site provides the following information.
Based on unsolicited suggestions, informal surveys, and an analysis of the site statistics, it is clear that the following would also be welcome.
In 2007, there were 22,669 requests on the site and 6,774 page requests.
Currently, more than 50% of the requests are for pictures from various activities. The rest of the requests are for the following information (in descending order).
The site is also one of two links to Boy Scout Troop sites on a local Cub Scout Pack's site.
I've divided the people interested in www.obscouts.com into the following groups.
The adult leaders tend to be the most frequent visitors. Many, but not all of them, are also parents of the Scouts. They know a lot about Scouting and tend to be very knowledgeable about computing and the internet.
They have agreed to either lead or support the leaders of the Troop activities and they want to know what's going on. So, they want easy, immediate access to all of the details and a lot of background information about the activities. They also want an easy and effective way to communicate with the rest of the Troop.
After the adult leaders, the active parents are the most frequent visitors. They know a little about Scouting and tend to be knowledgeable about the internet.
They don't lead any activities, but frequently volunteer to support the activities in some way such as providing transportation or adult supervision. They want easy, immediate access to a subset of the details and some of the background information. They would also like an easy and effective way to communicate with the Troops leaders and they would like to spend less time filling out medical and permission forms.
After the active parents, the Scouts may be the most frequent visitors. The older Scouts are somewhat knowledgeable about Scouting and very knowledgeable about some areas of the internet, but have many gaps in their knowledge. The younger Scouts are just beginning to learn about Scouting and tend to know little about the internet.
Typically, they want to know roughly when the activities will be, but they depend (unfortunately) on the adults to track the details.
They have expressed an interest in visiting the site more often if it was more "fun." Short of providing free video games, it's not clear what would qualify as "fun."
The younger Scouts have no interest in visiting the site now, but will likely develop some interest as they become more involved in the Troop activities.
The inactive parents tend to have little knowledge about Scouting. They depend on their Scouts to tell them what's going on and when something needs to be done.
Their knowledge of computing and the internet runs the gamut. Some are knowledgeable about the internet, but some of these parents don't have the training, access, or inclination to visit the Troop site.
The people outside of Troop 24 are the least frequent visitors. I assume they are interested because their sons may have expressed an interest in joining Troop 24.
The top three user needs are as follows.
The following lists show the user needs for each group in descending order of priority.
The adults leaders tend to be the most experienced computer users. They typically access the site from work or home on high end equipment. Many of them also access the site on PDAs and Laptops with wireless cards.
The active parents also tend to be experienced computer users both at home and at work with high end equipment. However, few of them have experience with PDAs and laptops
For the Scouts, experience and access is spread widely across the spectrum. A few have access at home to high end computing and a few have no access at home . The other scouts typically have older computers and broadband access.
As with the Scouts, the inactive parents and the others outside of the Troop are spread across the spectrum in terms of experience and access.
The following browsers were used to access the site.
The browsers were running on the following operating systems.
As one of the Troop's Assistant Scoutmasters and Merit Badge Counselor, I am deeply involved in all of the troop's activities. Because of my involvement, I have ready access to any information that I might need for the Troop site. Most of the content comes from the Scoutmaster's email, which I copy, paste, and edit. I either shoot the pictures and movies myself during outings or use pictures shot by the other adult leaders.
Although I just started as of March 1, I am now working as an Instructional Designer for a software company. At work, I am learning to use many tools that I can also use on the Troop site.
Previously, I used an older version of FrontPage on an older computer to manage the site. Recently, I purchased Adobe Web Premium CS3 and a high end computer for my personal use at home. I have already started converting the Troop site from FrontPage to Dreamweaver.
I intend to make the following improvements to the site.
It remains to be seen how much I can finish before the end of the course. However, I expect to complete a rough idea of everything. Since my son will be with the troop for another 6 years, I will be working on the site for at least that long.
I want to turn the site into a Troop 24 Scouting portal, the starting point for any Troop 24 leader, Scout, or parent looking for information about Troop 24, Troop 24 activities, and general Scouting information. The users should feel that no matter what question they have or what information they seek, the Troop 24 portal will be the easier, quickest, and most efficient place to start.