About Web Design II
The description of IMED 2415 from the Course Schedule:
A study of mark-up language advanced layout techniques for creating web pages. Emphasis on identifying the target audience and producing web sites according to accessibility standards, cultural appearance, and legal issues. A comprehensive use of HTML tags will be used in conjunction with up-to-date authoring software to publish a complete website for a corporate identity.
Put simply, we're picking up where you left off in Web Design I.
- Spring 2009 Syllabus (coming soon)
What the Class Covers
Web Design II is considered an intermediate level class, so students should have a basic understanding of both HTML and CSS before the class begins. While we will review basic HTML and CSS at the beginning of the semester, students will be expected to know or review the basics before the course begins.
What the Class Does Not Cover
Equally important to what you can expect from this class is know what we will not be covering. Dreamweaver is a powerful tool with many capabilities, some of which we will not be covering in class. This is due both to time constraints, and because not all students will have the necessary technical background. Ours is only one of several classes that meets the degree plans offered through the Visual Communications department at Austin Community College, many of which you can use to build on to your Web publishing skills.
| What we will cover | What we will not cover | ACC classes where you can learn more |
|---|---|---|
| We will learn the basics of how to apply some existing, basic javascript to a Web page. | Creating new javascript, adapting existing javascript, or working with javascript frameworks. | ITSE 6065 |
| We will learn how to create HTML Web forms. | Web scripting languages. | ITSE 6030, 6080; ITSE 6002, 6079 |
| We will learn how to use the slice tool to carve up Web site mockups in Photoshop or Fireworks and export them for use in Web sites. | A comprehensive overview of how to create and manipulate images in Photoshop or Fireworks. | ARTC 1402 |
| We will learn how to insert Flash files into an HTML document. | Building Flash Web sites. | IMED 1445 |
While students are always encouraged to learn more on their own and ask questions, I may not have time or be able to answer questions that are not directly related to the subject matter we are covering in class.
What to Expect (A Week in the Life of an IMED 2415 Student)
Ours is an online class, but it is not a self-paced or independent study class. Students will be given weekly reading and homework assignments that compliment the topic we are covering that week.
The weekly schedule*
Each week's schedule will follows the same pattern:
| Monday, 8:00 a.m. | Homework assignments and required reading for the week are posted to Blackboard. |
|---|---|
| Monday, 8:30 p.m. | The first online meeting of the week is hosted in our online classroom. The first meeting will typically involve a lecture on concepts and HTML or CSS markup you will need to know to complete the week's homework assignment. |
| Thursday, 8:30 p.m. | The second online meeting of the week is hosted in our online classroom. The second meeting will typically involve a software demonstration, usually on how to complete the week's homework assignment. |
| Sunday, 11:50 p.m. | The week's homework assignments are due. |
*Subject to change as needed.
Homework assignments
Each homework assignment will include instructions on how to complete and hand in your work, along with an outline of the grading criteria, due dates, and late work grade penalties.
Class participation
The class participation portion of your grade contains two parts:
- Attend at least one of the two online class meetings each week. (A recording of each class meeting will be posted to Blackboard, usually within 48 hours.)
- Post at least one message to our class Discussion Board on Blackboard.
The point value each of these portions is worth will be posted to our Blackboard site.
Extra credit "easter eggs"
On occasion I may offer an extra credit opportunities available, usually in the form of an "easter egg." These extra credit opportunities—generally worth half the point value of one homework assignment—are hidden in spots that you should reasonably be expected to find. I will usually announce when, but not where, an extra credit opportunity has been made available.
These "easter eggs" are mean to encourage you to both develop good Web Design habits (checking your source code in Code View, previewing your work in a Web browser) as well as participate in grade-earning areas of the course (visiting the Discussion Board, reading your homework assignment instructions, etc.). Extra credit opportunities are time-sensitive and typically have some small strings attached; this usually means you have to both let me know you found the "easter egg" and turn in the assignment it's associated with by the due date.
Tips to Succeed in IMED 2415
In addition to completing homework assignments on time, there are a few areas you should pay special attention to in order to make the best grade possible.
Keep up with your class participation
Participation includes attending weekly online class meetings and regular participation on the Discussion Board. Failing to keep up with this portion of your grade can add up quickly.
Regularly check Blackboard and your ACCmail
Because ours is an entirely online class, you will need to both regularly check your ACCmail account and our Blackboard site for important class communications. Blackboard uses your ACCmail account as the address to send both class announcements and my individual messages to you regarding your class work. I do not maintain a separate mailing list for students who prefer to use an e-mail address other than their ACCmail account.
Keep up with reading assignments in the required textbook
Each week students are assigned reading from our textbook to prepare for the coming week's lesson. Because our text is actually a reference book rather than a textbook, our course will not necessarily follow the order of the chapters as they appear in the book. In many cases you will be responsible only for select pages within a chapter, so be sure to check your weekly reading assignment closely.
If you have questions on how to perform a task in Dreamweaver, I'll expect you to have first referenced the textbook.
Investigate the recommended, but not required, content
Web Design II is a heavily technical class, and the technology is constantly changing. In order to remain on top of current Web design trends, you need to cultivate the practice of regularly reading up on the latest practices and techniques in our field. Sharing articles or links of interest with your classmates is also a good way to gain credit for your class participation grade.
You can estimate your grade at any time by doing the math
The grading system for our class is based on simple arithmetic. Every four weeks we will have a grade point check-in; I will tell you how many of the maximum possible points for the semester we have passed to-date, and let you know what grade you are on track to make for the semester based on the points you have earned so far.
Technical Requirements
There are some minimum technical requirements you will meet in order to participate in the class.
High speed Internet access
You are required have high-speed or broadband Internet access.
Required software
You will either need to purchase these software titles, have regular access to a machine with licensed copies of these software titles installed, or use one of ACC's Visual Communications Computer Labs.
- Dreamweaver CS3
- Photoshop CS3 or Fireworks CS3
You can purchase these software titles at a significant discount as an ACC student.
I cannot offer assistance in troubleshooting your computer or offer technical support in installing software. The ACC Help Desk may be able to assist in some computer issues; be sure to contact the ACC Help Desk for more details.
Web hosting
You will need to set up Web site hosting so you can publish documents to the Web as part of your assignments. Many companies that provide Internet access also offer Web space as part of your service. You will need to set up Web hosting by the middle of the semester, so you will have time to confer with your classmates for recommendations.
Keep in mind I cannot offer assistance in troubleshooting your computer's network connection or offer technical support for your Web hosting. Be sure to check with your Web hosting provider for information on your FTP settings.
Helpful, but not required software
While not required, you may find the following software titles helpful as you work on class projects:
- Screen capture software
- Firefox Web browser with the following add-ons:
- Firebug
- Web Developer Toolbar