Method of Instruction

This class will be conducted as a distance education class using Web CT Vista (also known as My Blackboard). There will be no on-campus or face-to-face meetings except for on-campus office-hours if requested by the student. Usually, office hours may be conducted using Live Classroom within the WebCT system or by email.

Text and Supplies Required:

Textbook:

Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML by Elisabeth Freeman & Eric Freeman; Published by O'Reilly; ISBN-10 0-596-10197-X

This book is absolutely mandatory. I can not imagine how you could complete this course without a personal copy of the textbook. It is very inexpensive compared to most textbooks used today.

Other:

Each student must arrange with an Internet Service Provider (ISP) for a place on the Internet to publish the required web-based exercises and the final project website required by this course. A "personal web site" is offered for free by many ISP's such as Cox and Time Warner. However, these sites have limits. They will be good enough for this introductory class, but if you are serious about becoming good at webdesign, it is recommended that you establish an actual website with a dedicated domain name. (My site is called http://www.craftwebproject.com )

A web host which adds any sort of code to your webpages (for advertisements, or for page counters, or for any other purpose) is NOT acceptable for this class.

In addition to using your dedicated website for this class, it can serve as an "online portfolio" as you develop your web skills. Moreover, a dedicated website will allow you to establish interactive web pages that tie to a database. It will also allow you to set up email under your own domain name. During the course the way to do all this will be covered. Ususally a website provided by a reliable web hosting company can be established for less than $10 per month. Please see Learning Module 4 for more details.

Computer Skills Advisory:

To take this course you should be comfortable with your computer. You don't need to know a thing about web design since we will be starting at the basic level. However, if you have already taken other courses in webdesign, this one will still be useful for you. We are going to be covering the very latest in web coding including XHTML (strict) and Cascading Style Sheets CSS 2.1. If you have taken a class in Dreamweaver or Front Page, this class will help you understand why those programs sometimes "get confused" when they are used to create webpages automatically. If you have basic familiarity with computer terms and know how to use basic programs you should be OK. If you are a tech genius, so much the better. It can't hurt.

Attendance Requirements:

District Policy 3110 discusses class attendance. Since this class is rated as two units, you should expect to be on line several hours every week and to dedicate several hours each week to exercises and study done off line.

As a memeber of this class you must log on at least once per week, preferably much more often.

If you have not logged on for more than three weeks, I will drop you from the class--unless it is after the last day that drops are allowed. If you stop attending after the last day for drops, I am required to assign a letter grade, and the grade must be based upon the total work required for the full class session.

This is not the sort of course you can let go for weeks at a time and then expect to catch up in a few days. However, if you work at a steady pace you will succeed. You really must plan on some time in addition to online time to do your assignments. It is hard to say how much time is required since it varies from person to person, but I think you will need several hours per week to do the reading and to work on your assignments.

Instructor Response Time:

One of the things that make online classes useful is that you can work on the class when it fits into your schedule. I plan to log on every day, but I am not sure exactly when. Unfortunately, I might not be online when you have a question. I will make every attempt to answer any email you send me with in 24 hours. I should never exceed a 48 hour response time. If you send me an email and do not get a reply from me within 48 hours, please call my office at the college (619-388-2799) and speak with my secretary. She will help you track me down. However, please use email first and call her only as a last resort.

If you send me an email I will try to respond the same day. This is not the sort of course you can let go for weeks at a time and then expect to catch up. If you work at a steady pace you will succeed. You should also plan on some time in addition to online time to do your assignments. It is hard to say how much time is required since it varies from person to person, but I think you will need several hours each week to do the reading and to work on your assignments.

Disruptive Students

You must treat your classmates in a repectful manner. Even though we are online and we are using the Internet, we all still have a right to privacy and a right to a non-threatening and non-hostile environment.

Remember that when you write something in an email or discussion, the people reading it can not see your expression or hear your tone of voice. Go out of your way to be polite when you interact on line.

Students who are disruptive are subject to disciplinary action and will be removed from class in accordance with SDCCD Policy 3100.

Students with Disabilities

If you think you may need academic accommodations to complete this course, please contact me by email and tell me what accomodations you request during the first two weeks of class. The sooner the better, since we will have to coordinate all accomodations with DSPS.

Schedule:

The course will progress according to the schedule established in the WebCT class calendar. Although I don't expect to do so, I reserve the right to change the schedule with prior notice.