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[magistra]

I'm curious as to what you do in terms of graphics on your websites.  First, do you use html or documents?  For either, how much do you use features like color, bullet points, text boxes, and bolding?

I try hard to "create visual interest" and make key terms pop out by using bolding, underlining, indenting, color, etc.  It does look nice but sometimes I feel like I'm contributing to the downfall of civilization, i.e. I'm making my notes look like those textbooks we all hate.  After all, students should be able to read and pick out the key terms on their own, yes?  It's arguable that words in color are something you get in grammar-school texts, right?  How much is too much?

A minor problem, I know, but it's something I've been wondering about, especially since it's creeping into the rest of my life.  Earlier this week I wrote a memo and had to forcibly stop myself from bolding the key terms.  Of course, I've got no reason to believe anyone has READ the thing, so maybe I should have...

[sporosarcina]

I must preface this by saying that this only my opinion, I am sure you will get a slew of differing ones.

For my class web materials I follow these guidelines.
1.  Notes and vocabulary - I used to post detailed outlines of the materials, but have since backed away from this as it led to students using the "it wasn't in the notes" excuse.  Now I give them a minimum (emphasis) vocabulary for each chapter that they must take the initative to work through.  As to the notes, I instead give them a set of questions that are very open-ended and intended to help them work through the material they read (yes, I require that they read).

2.  Graphics - I am a huge proponent of open-source materials.  While my textbook publisher spends a lot of money on the pretty graphics, their terms of use bother me.  I spend time finding an open-source version of any graphic I am looking for, and if I cannot I take the time to make my own.  As to format, I usually have the files in either .png (non-vector based images) or .svg (vector based images).

3.  Downloadable Content - Even though .pdf is not an open source standard I use it due to ubiquity in the marketplace.  Students can download readers for the .pdf format for free (provide links on the website to help them).

4.  Video Materials - Again, due to its ubiquity, I utilize Flash for video clips, for longer video I use Xvid. (provide a link to the VLC player to solve any playback problems)

5.  Audio Materials - Of course use .mp3 so that the most portable players can use it, though I typically provide .mps, .wma, and .ogg files on my site.

So a typical chapter page on my sites are as follows

Title
Downloadable content (podcasts, pdf of powerpoints, pdf of written materials)
Vocabulary List
Directed Reading Questions
Extended/Alternative explanations of difficult concepts
Contact form for quick questions