The tutorials working group makes the following recommendations regarding tutorial content and navigation, based on their review of 9 web-based tutorials.

Content

Based on comprehensiveness of coverage and simplicity of presentation we recommend the Information Literacy Tutorial University of Wisconsin Parkside. We were impressed by the simplicity and organization of the material, and found the review sections effective. While we felt that Parkside tutorial had the best content and organization for the needs of our students, it lacks a great deal in presentation.

We also thought the Library Skills Tutorial Grand Valley State University had good content, in particular their section on periodicals.

Though a full listing of our recommendations on content is inappropriate at this time, we do recommend:

• That a working group be established to determine best content and arrangement for any CUNY Libraries tutorial.
• Have CUNY-library-specific sections in a tutorial.
• Include a pre-test in the tutorial.
• Have ongoing assessment in each module.
• Have an end-of-tutorial quiz with printable certificate.
• It is important to develop content components from student needs to encourage and motivate them (for example by using examples from popular culture engage their interest).
• Some of the excellent, and somewhat abstract material in Minneapolis and "Go for the Gold," could be used in later, more advanced tutorials.

Navigation

Interactivity and clarity were the two elements that we felt were most important in a tutorial's navigation. We recommend that an ADA compliant version of any tutorial be made available for users with disabilities or older computers.

The following are the navigation elements which we recommend as critical to a useful and effective tutorial.

• Lefthand navigation that allows users to easily see where they are in the tutorial
• Cartoons or other graphics
• Java rollovers for additional information
• Pop-up boxes either for additional information or immediate feedback
• Quiz for each module with explanatory answers (not just "Wrong, try again")

Overall the Library Web Tutorial George Mason University had the best navigation. Specific features included good left hand navigation and page numbers to help keep track of where one is in the tutorial, and engaging pop-up examples. Only the addition of Java rollovers would improve the usability of this tutorial. While we felt that the presentation in this tutorial was based on student needs and interests, the content was lacking.

We liked the "clean" feeling of TILT - University of Texas System Digital Library LITE version, which has excellent examples of effective use of rollovers. Full TILT required too much in the way of technology to be practical.