Yes, make the students think

Don’t Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability by Steve Krug and Roger Black is a fast and easy look at Web usability with some excellent resources that can be adapted for classroom activities. The “trunk test” in chapter 6 is particularly appealing as a classroom activity. It gives you some common elements and common vocabulary to describe what user’s expect and need in Web usability. This information can be used to analyze the usability of student projects or favorite Internet sites.

Classroom-Ready Graphic Design Site

Principles of Graphic Design This wonderful Flash presentation from Mundi Design Studios is an interactive explanation of Graphic Design principles.

Be sure to check out the other information on the Mundi Design Studios site, there is an interesting Web Color Theory section and a Flash5 Interface Design section that are both excellent.