CSI252MM2 - Intro. to Web Page Design - DL (M Hawkes) information page

CSI 252 - Welcome Page
HOLYOKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

CSI 252 Introduction to Web Page Design

Spring, 2002 - On Line Course (3 credits)

Instructor Melinda J. Mesick

Office No Set Hours - WebCT Bulletin Board and e-mail

Phone 552-2306 *see note

E-Mail mmesick@hcc.mass.edu

Course Description and Objectives Description:
This course provides students with a conceptual methodology beginning with the questions that should be asked before content is designed and implemented on the web and continuing through the stages of web site development from preparation and design to implementation, maintenance, and continual improvement of the site. HTML will be utilized to learn the basics of web site development; in addition, current web page generators and animators for web page design will be employed. The course will examine a running case study that illustrates the types of decisions and issues a real company faces throughout the web site development process. Students may not receive credit for CSI 231, CSI 260 and CSI252.

Methods of Instruction:
As one would suppose, this class will not be using some of the standard methods of instruction. Because we will not be meeting 1, 2 or 3 times a week, the student must be much more proactive in participation.
We will be using a combination of on line discussion, team work, special projects and homework. Class participation is valued and encouraged.   It will be accomplished through the bulletin board and team projects.   Certain interaction will be mandated via assignments, but the hope is that after a short time, the class will have created an on line community.
There will be approximately one assignment per week, a team project, a final individual project, quizzes (maybe) and 2 exams.
       WebCT and email are our primary communication tool and because of this, you should spend some time in the first week becoming familiar with WebCT's capabilities (if you are not already familiar with it). You will be expected to check it for announcements and other information at least every weekday.
Attendance Policy:
       Attendance is not required in the traditional sense in this course. There will be no particular time that you will have to be online. However, though attendance in general is not required, there is an attendance policy:
If I have not heard from you in a week (communication should be pretty constant in this class), then I will check your log in history for WebCT. Then I will send you a message asking you to contact me. If I don't hear back for four days, I may withdraw you from the course with an F* (indicates lack of attendance). Finally, if you miss a test (or drop out of the group project), or miss handing in more than 4 of the assignments (no explanation) you may be withdrawn with an F*.
       IMPORTANT NOTE: If for some reason you have to be away from your computer for more than a week then you can certainly contact me and we can make other arrangements. The important thing is communication.
One of the great pitfalls of the on line learning environment is that it is easy to fall out of circulation and I do not wish to lose any of you. Please be sure that I understand the demands on you. The reason you are probably taking this course is that you have such crazy schedules. I am willing to make allowances for your busy schedules, but if you neglect the class for more than a week it will be very difficult to catch up. Please share with me when you are having difficulties complete the work. Do not just disappear.

Methods of Testing and Evaluation:
Methods of testing and evaluation include weekly homework, quizzes, two exams and a final project. A tentative breakdown of your grade is as follows:


Homework/Quizzes 30 %

Exams 30 %

Final team project 20 %

Final individual project 15 %

You will notice that the above breakdown fall 5 points short than 100 %. This is discretionary and will be used for whatever comes up during the course of the semester. If nothing comes up then the percentage will be spread among the other evaluation measures.
Late Policy:
       Homework and Projects will have a specific date and time that they will be due. They will be submitted electronically in two different ways. If you don't get it in by the due date, you are allowed one week to hand it in but 50% of your grade will be deducted. NOTE: After that date - nothing will be accepted.
       IMPORTANT NOTE: If you ever have a problem with a due date, speak with me.
       You will be expected to send me (via e-mail) all the files needed in your homework/project assignments. You may want to zip these up using some compression program, but it is not always necessary. Secondly, you will be expected to post the homework on a special place on WebCT so that all your classmates can see what you are doing as well.
       ADVICE: Start EARLY. I always accept assignments early.
Cheating:
Cheating is defined as:
         Using illegal sources (exams are closed book and notes)
         Representing someone else's work as your own. Note: Asking for general help from others is ok, but do not copy work. The purpose of this course is to learn the material. I again encourage you to speak to me (verbally or electronically) if you are having problems with due dates.
       If you are caught cheating you will fail the course.
Materials:
Text Book: HTML for Web Developers John Avila, Scott/Jones Inc., ISBN: 1-57676-028-6
Other materials:

Several websites.

Other recommended texts

This course WebCT site

A web site editor

CSI 252 Tentative Course Outline: Our main text is HTML for Web Developers by John Avila. There will be other references that will be given (mostly on-line) throughout the course of the semester.

Week: Specifics: Reading:

Week 1 Course Information, Introduction to html - Design Issues Chapter 1

Week 2 Basics of html: tags, formatting, graphics Chapter 2

Week 3 Links Chapter 3 (through 82)

Week 4 Intro to CSS Chapter 6

Week 5 Forms Chapter 4

Week 6 Exam

Week 7 Tables Chapter 4

Week 8 Image Maps Rest of Chapter 3

Week 9 Frames Chapter 5

Week 10 or 11 Overflow - or possibly Exam 2

Week 12 Applets Chapter 5

Week 13 on Discussion about various packages and finishing projects On-line sources and other books

It is important to remember this schedule is tentative. As the semester progresses, I may be adjusting it accordingly.
Office for Students with Disabilities:
Holyoke Community College is committed to providing students with disabilities equal access to the full range of programs offered by the College. If you are a student with a disability, please contact the Office for Students with Disabilities (Donahue 131, 552-2417) to make accommodations. I am happy to work together with this office to make this a good experience.
What You Should Know Before Taking This Course:
This will hopefully outline some of the knowledge and equipment you will be expected to have to successfully complete this course. Please read through this carefully.

You need to be very familiar with using the internet - I will not be teaching you how to surf the web. You should know how to use both the major browsers (Netscape and IE), do simple adjustments to the properties of browsers and you should have fast and reliable access to the web (or a very patient attitude).

You need to be able to use e-mail easily. You need to know how to do attachments primarily and you should be able to access your e-mail every weekday.

You should be able to download files and plug-ins (and install them) from the web if needed.

Know the basics about your operating system. I will not be teaching basic computer skills. You should understand file structures, how to organize your files, move, copy and create folders and files.

You also should be familiar with using a simple text editor. We will be doing much of the course using Notepad (before we go to web editors) and you should know how to use an editor like Notepad or some other text editor (not MS Word).

Finally you need to have a flexible attitude. Anytime you use technology there is a chance that you will encounter problems. Have a good attitude about it. If there are some problems that occur we will work through them together. I am a fairly reasonable person when I am addressed with a reasonable attitude. Don't let things get out of hand. There will usually be a solution to any problem that arises.

You have probably heard this before but it is worth repeating. This course will take as much time as one that you take in the classroom (probably and maybe a little more). It is a good idea to schedule regular time during the week that you will be working on the course.
Note:
I will be in Poltava, Ukraine for much of this semester and I don't believe I will have a phone line. I will have access to the internet every weekday and Saturday for most of the semester but I would not use the phone as a primary means of communication with me. If I do have a phone I will post this number in the class materials.