DePauw University - FITS

FITS Faculty Project:	List all projects
Website for Child Study Center
Dr. Hertenstein wanted to develop an informative website for his Child Study Center, where he and other students studied infant emotional development. The website would be designed for the parents of his participants, improving both communication and recruitment. Prior to the project, the researchers recruited and communicated in a number of ways. Usually they would post flyers around stores or daycares, and the parents would contact the researchers from the information provided by the flyers. Sometimes Dr. Hertenstein and his students would also contact the parents through the mail.
Project Description After completion of the FITS project, Dr. Hertenstein and his students could communicate and recruit more effectively. The website is used for these purposes in two ways. Parents may see a Child Study Center flyer at a local store; the flyer would of course list the Center’s web address. If interested, the parents may research the Center through its website and call the lab. On the other hand, parents may receive a phone call; once learning about the project in general, they can go to the website for further information. With the generation of the website, parents can contact the lab, learn about the researchers, and read descriptions of the project. The extra information makes the research experience less intimidating for the parents.
Impact of the Project Although Dr. Hertenstein’s project wasn’t developed for a class, students and faculty working in the Child Study Center benefited greatly from its creation. The researchers were able to communicate more effectively with their clients. The website also provided more opportunities for volunteer recruitment. Even though the student researchers work with the website, the project was created primarily for parents of the participants.
Production Details The development team began work on and finished the project in the summer of 2003. Prior to meeting with Frank Gilbert, Professor Hertenstein and his students compiled some ideas for the website design. After presenting those ideas to him, Frank created several different designs, from which Dr. Hertenstein and his students chose their favorite. Frank finished the development and delivered a final product within two months.

Matt Hertenstein

wanted to create an informative website for parents participating in his studies on infant emotional development.

Team Members Include:

Frank Gilbert

Contact Information:

Matt Hertenstein
Assistant Professor of Psychology
mhertenstein@depauw.edu

Frank Gilbert
FITS Graduate Intern
fgilbert@depauw.edu

**Divisions of Instructional and Learning Services**
Faculty Instructional Technology Support - FITS is a program that assists faculty members in enhancing their teaching and their students learning through the latest technology. FITS is concerned with the pedagogical applications of technology, rather then with explicit technical training. FITS	Digital Media Lab - Located in the basement of the Roy O. West Library, the dml works closely with FITS, the Web Team, Information Services and other campus technology organizations to develop consistent and easy to use services for all faculty, students and staff. DML	Music Instructional Technology Center - DePauw's School of Music includes the Music Instructional Technology Center, an advanced facility that includes a computer lab, audio production facility and mobile audio recording services. MITC	Geographic Information Systems - The DePauw GIS Center coordinates GIS activities across campus so that information and knowledge can be shared and exchanged for the benefit of the entire DePauw community. It also collaborates with Greencastle and Putnam County communities to establish a relationship that benefits both DePauw and the surrounding region. GIS	Student Technology Support - (formally START) provides students with opportunities to enhance their liberal arts education with information technology knowledge and skills. Workshops, Web-based training, courses and one-on-one training are available to all students. SITS students and staff members work with faculty members to provide specific course related technology training through in-class workshops. Student Technology Support