This pdf file is the first chapter of a book that deals with internationalizing one's website. It is an overview of the issues faced by organizations communicating to a world-wide base of customers via Web pages. As the introductory chapter (rest of book must be purchased), it does a good job of explaining some of the issues and considerations when creating websites that are read by people in other countries.
Type of Material:
Lecture
Recommended Uses:
The best use is to integrate it into a lecture. The material is well written and easy to understand; the instructor could make reading the material a homework assignment.
Technical Requirements:
None.
Identify Major Learning Goals:
The major goal of the chapter is to raise awareness about the (1) importance, (2) opportunities, and (3) risks/costs associated with an organization's Web page when it is consumed on a global level. The author stresses localization as the necessary means to address the global nature of a Web presence.
Target Student Population:
The target audience is a college student. It could be used as a module about Web pages in a course on international business. It could also mbe used when covering the international aspects of information technology in an introductory information systems course.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
Ability to use an Internet browser to access the page and Adobe Acrobate Reader to read the PDF format file.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
The writing style is easy to understand. The localization of Web pages is a subject treated too lightly in most introductory texts so this is good. The author uses facts (such as the percentage of native English speakers) to make his point for the need of localization.
The module is current and relevant - a topic often missed in other resources. The author restates the main concepts after presentation to reinforce their importance. References to sources of data are given s the user can refer to the data source if he or she wishes.
Concerns:
There are no materials that tie the localization concept to other information systems concepts. The isolation of the topic requires that the module be used in conjunction with other teaching materials.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
Any student can read the materials and quickly grasp the author's learning goals.
Concepts are presented, elaborated, and reinforced. There is a logical progression of the precentation of concepts (such as beginning with what language is used and the trend to other languages dominating web sites).
Concerns:
Learning objectives are not explicitly stated. The materials are to inform instead of teach. The materials would be difficult to use (especially writing an assignment) unless it is in conjunction with other materials.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
It would be very easy to use and adapt other teaching materials from. Since it is just one chapter, it is difficult to provide a detailed discussion of the strengths of the material. The design of the materials is professional (after all, it from a text) and it does engage students with figures and images.
Concerns:
There is no interaction with the user, as it is simply a reading assignment. It is not possible for the module itself to interact with the content.
Other Issues and Comments:
The chapter looks like it would be easy to read and follow. The writing is clear and the graphics are well connected to the material. It does cover a very broad amount of information in a short space which adds to its simplicity. It may be too simple for such a topic, though but it is difficult to evaluate an entire book on one chapter. regardless, it is a solid introdutory chapter for the book.
The URL cited for statistical facts (www.GLREACH.com) could not be accessed for some time, the site may have been "down." Cannot tell if site reliability will be an issue.
Creative Commons:
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