Several weeks ago I had the pleasure of speaking on Web Analytics to Katherine Lawrence’s SI 422 – Evaluation of Systems and Services course at University of Michigan. I was very impressed by the course syllabus, and the interest level of the students in the specifics of web tracking and analysis. Here are some thought’s on what makes this class a good model for undergrad courses in information science:

• The syllabus focused as much on the early steps in the evaluation of websites and software as it did on the latter steps.
• The course allows hands-on work on a ‘client’ site – something relatively rare in undergrad courses.
• The project plan surveys the range of qualitative and quantitative techniques for evaluation – which are frequently taught separately.
• Important ‘realities’ in business, such as the need to work with a large development team, are covered in the course, saving students a rude awakening later.
• A reading list that includes leading industry experts, like Avinash Kaushik, as well as more academic sources, like John Creswell’s Research Design book.

The course is a new addition to the University of Michigan’s School of Information, as part of an Informatics program now offered as an undergrad major. Students from tangential fields like computer science, business, or statistics can elect to major in Informatics or take the course as a cognate. Similar courses are offered for undergrads at Eastern Michigan University, where Bud Gibson (another friend of Pure Visibility) teaches a Conversion University Optimization course to undergrads.

Pure Visibility thanks Katherine for the invitation!