web design

Course Syllabus

Course Description

Presents web design principles and techniques coupled with practical experience in the design and creation of websites. Includes coverage of the latest tools, trends, and issues relating to computers and technology.

Course Textbook(s)

No physical textbook is required; resources are integrated within the course.

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

1. Explain the interactive and multimedia elements of a web page. 2. Analyze the phases of the web development life cycle. 3. Demonstrate the use of common web page formatting features. 4. Recommend solutions to compatibility and accessibility issues. 5. Apply web design principles to the design and creation of a website. 6. Examine current trends in website design and development.

Credits

Upon completion of this course, the students will earn 3 hours of college credit.

Course Structure

1. Study Guide: Course units contain a Study Guide that provide students with the learning outcomes, unit lesson, required reading assignments, and supplemental resources.

2. Learning Outcomes: Each unit contains Learning Outcomes that specify the measurable skills and knowledge students should gain upon completion of the unit.

3. Unit Lesson: Unit Lessons, which are located in the Study Guide, discuss lesson material. 4. Reading Assignments: Units contain Reading Assignments from one or more chapters from the textbook and/or

outside resources. 5. Suggested Reading: Suggested Readings are listed within the Study Guide. Students are encouraged to read the

resources listed if the opportunity arises, but they will not be tested on their knowledge of the Suggested Readings. 6. Learning Activities (Non-Graded): Non-Graded Learning Activities are provided to aid students in their course of

study. 7. Discussion Boards: Discussion Boards are part of all CSU Term courses. More information and specifications can

be found in the Student Resources link listed in the Course Menu bar. 8. Unit Assignments: Students are required to submit for grading Unit Assignments. Specific information and

instructions regarding these assignments are provided below. Grading rubrics are included with each assignment. Specific information about accessing these rubrics is provided below.

9. Ask the Professor: This communication forum provides you with an opportunity to ask your professor general or course content related questions.

10. Student Break Room: This communication forum allows for casual conversation with your classmates.

CSU Online Library

The CSU Online Library is available to support your courses and programs. The online library includes databases, journals,

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e-books, and research guides. These resources are always accessible and can be reached through the library webpage. To access the library, log into the myCSU Student Portal, and click on “CSU Online Library.” You can also access the CSU Online Library from the “My Library” button on the course menu for each course in Blackboard.

The CSU Online Library offers several reference services. E-mail (library@columbiasouthern.edu) and telephone (1.877.268.8046) assistance is available Monday – Thursday from 8 am to 5 pm and Friday from 8 am to 3 pm. The library’s chat reference service, Ask a Librarian, is available 24/7; look for the chat box on the online library page.

Librarians can help you develop your research plan or assist you in finding relevant, appropriate, and timely information. Reference requests can include customized keyword search strategies, links to articles, database help, and other services.

Unit Assignments

Unit I Homework Assignment

Throughout the course, you will be working to create your own website. As you know, websites can be used for many different purposes and can attract a variety of audiences. You will be designing different elements for this project in each unit with a final submission in Unit VIII.

To begin, you are asked to complete the following steps:

1. Identify the type of website you will be creating for the overall course project. 2. Your options consist of a personal, organizational/topical, or commercial website. Upon your selection, write at least

one paragraph on why you have made this choice. Options include, but are not limited to, overall purpose, targeted audience, and current work-related or future job endeavors.

3. Select a name for your website, and list at least three goals for it. Identify which specific visuals (e.g., images, graphs, photos) you will use to support your goals.

4. Create a domain name for your website. Use a domain registry search engine to research whether the domain is available. If the domain name is not available, adjust the domain name to find one that is available.

In a paper of at least 250 words in length, discuss your answers to the steps above and upload the document for grading. Use illustrations as necessary to support your ideas. If you have questions, please reach out to your instructor for help.

Information about accessing the grading rubric for this assignment is provided below.

Unit I Lab Assignment

For further instruction on how to transfer your work from the Toolwire environment to your local machine, click here.

Please complete the following labs within Toolwire:

Part A – Types of Websites Part B – Exploring Web Page Interactivity Part C – Exploring Web Page Color Schemes

You will be answering a series of questions for Lab Part B. The questions are below; they will also be visible within Part B of this lab.

Please navigate to three different websites. Choose a .org, .com, and a .gov website for Part B of this lab. How many clicks does it take to find information you are interested in, or how many are needed to access the website’s core function(s)? Is there a site map, are there breadcrumbs, or are there other innovative location features? Do you have to backtrack a lot to get to other areas of interest, or can you can access other areas from deep within one section? How does the website use interactive elements such as flipbooks or expandable objects to reduce or compress navigation? How much vertical or horizontal scrolling must visitors do to locate information?

Discuss your answers, and upload the file for grading. Use illustrations or screen captures as necessary to support your ideas. If you have questions, please reach out to your instructor for help.

Please complete the following lab within Toolwire:

Review and complete Part C – Exploring Web Page Color Schemes.

Choose one of the websites you have visited. You will be answering a series of questions for this assignment. The questions are below; they will also be visible within Part C of this lab.

What are the main colors used on the website? Do the website’s colors match the logo, name, or other identifying symbol of the organization? Do the colors create an acceptable level of contrast among visual objects? Do any colors make things hard to read or to view content? What feelings or sense do the colors used give you? Is the color scheme consistent throughout the site?

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Discuss your answers in the document you created earlier, and upload the file for grading. Use illustrations as necessary to support your ideas.

The answers for Parts B and C should be combined in a single document and should be at least one page in length. Please clearly mark your answers for Lab Part B and Lab Part C. If you have questions, please reach out to your instructor for help.

Information about accessing the grading rubric for this assignment is provided below.

Unit II Article Critique

For this assignment, use the Academic Search Complete database available in the CSU Online Library to find an article on website development. The article must be published after 2010. Write an article critique that includes the following information:

briefly introduce and summarize the article, identify the author’s main points, identify the author’s intended audience, identify specific issues addressed in the article, discuss whether the information in the article applies to this course, and discuss how the author could expand on the main points.

Your review should be at least two pages in length, not counting the cover and reference pages. Use APA style when writing your review. Cite any direct quotes or paraphrases from the article, and include any sources used in your review in a references page.

Information about accessing the grading rubric for this assignment is provided below.

Unit II Homework Assignment

In this assignment, you will begin to create your own formal website plan by defining the website’s goals and objectives, writing a formal purpose statement, and creating a target audience profile and needs assessment. In short, you will plan the website’s general content. Later, you will use some of this information in Lab Part C to help you visually map out the website.

Click here to complete the Project Assignment Template. Your assignment should be at least one page in length. APA formatting is not required for this assignment.

If you have questions, please reach out to your instructor for help. Be sure to keep in mind that your website should be accessible to all users. Submit the Project Assignment Template to Blackboard for grading.

Information about accessing the grading rubric for this assignment is provided below.

Unit II Lab Assignment

Please complete the following labs within Toolwire:

Part A – Domain Name Search Part B – Exploring a Web Page's Underlying Markup Language Part C – Planning a Website Part D – Introducing HTML

For Part A, in a document of at least 250 words, discuss the information of several registrars such as rankings or customer reviews and feedback of the registrars you selected. Did this help you make a more informed decision when selecting a registrar to purchase a domain name and other services? APA formatting is not required, but be sure to provide your name and course number.

For Part B, this is a practice exercise; therefore, you do not have to submit anything. This will prepare you for Part D of this lab.

For Part C, upload your presentation file to Blackboard for grading.

For Part D, upload your HTML file to Blackboard for grading. Be sure your file is an HTML. (Be sure to select HTML in Step #2.)

Note: If you were working in Toolwire and using Open Office or Notepad++, then your files should have been saved within the MyFiles folder.

Please upload Part A, Part C, and Part D as individual documents for grading.

Please click here to view the video tutorial on how to create and upload a ZIP file to Blackboard. (Click here to view the transcript for the tutorial.)

Information about accessing the grading rubric for this assignment is provided below.

Unit III PowerPoint Presentation

Note: This assignment should be completed after you complete the lab activities for this unit.

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Using the website plan that you created in the Unit II Homework Assignment as a guide, create an OpenOffice.org presentation in Toolwire (see also Toolwire Part A) or a PowerPoint presentation based on the criteria listed below. Use diagrams and illustrations as needed.

Your presentation should include the items below.

Discuss the navigation system for your website. (See the Unit III Lesson for details.) Be sure to identify the individual elements that will guide the visitor through your website (e.g., the menus, links, images, maps). For example, will you have a navigation menu on each page? If so, discuss what links will be on the menu and how they will navigate the visitor through your website. Define and discuss any changes you made to your website’s color scheme. Define and discuss any changes made to the page layout for your home page and underlying pages. Illustrate these changes by using diagrams or illustrations. Explain how you will control page layout with CSS. (Use Lab Part C as a guide.) Create and provide a plan for testing; in other words, discuss how you will conduct the testing of your website and what you will test. How will you know your website is ready to be published? Create and provide a budget plan for publishing and maintaining your website. In other words, develop the budget for your website. Discuss how much it will cost if you choose a web hosting service. If you use a shopping cart or storefront, how much will this service cost? Be sure to define all of the costs involved in hosting and maintaining your website. (See Unit III Lesson for details.)

Submit your assignment as an OpenOffice.org or PowerPoint file. Your presentation should be at least eight slides in length, not including the title and reference slides. In-text citations should be used as needed, and references should be provided on a final slide.

Information about accessing the grading rubric for this assignment is provided below.

Unit III Lab Assignment

Please complete the following lab within Toolwire:

Part A – Writing and Modifying HTML Using a WYSIWYG Editor Part B – Exploring a Web Page's Underlying Markup Language Part C – Planning a Website

In the labs for this unit, you will use a color scheme to create style sheets for your home page and underlying pages. You will also use a WYSIWYG editor called BlueGriffon to load and modify the HTML page you created in the previous unit, and you will apply CSS to an HTML file.

For Lab Part A, upload your completed presentation for grading. For Lab Part B, upload your edited HTML file using the WYSIWYG editor for grading. For Lab Part C, upload your completed HTML file for grading.

Please click here to view the video tutorial on how to create and upload a ZIP file to Blackboard. (Click here to view the transcript for the tutorial.)

Information about accessing the grading rubric for this assignment is provided below.

Unit IV Lab Assignment

Website Creation: The Shaping of a Website

Please complete the following labs within Toolwire:

Part A – Writing the Text Content of Your Website

As you continue building your website, remember to keep your goals and objectives in mind. Taking what you have learned within this and previous units, begin finding and creating specific content to include in your website. Also, refer back to Unit I for guidelines on writing for the web.

Upload the revised website plan presentation and the revised HTML and CSS pages for grading. Be sure to keep in mind that your website should be accessible to all users.

Part B – Typography on a Website

After you have chosen the font or fonts you want to use for your web content, upload your revised website plan presentation and the CSS file with the updated fonts applied. Be sure to keep in mind that your website should be accessible to all users.

Part C – Creating and Selecting Images for Your Website

After you have placed your images in your HTML files and added the new style to your CSS files, upload the HTML and CSS files for grading. You can upload as individual files or in a ZIP file. Be sure to keep in mind that your website should be accessible to all users. If you have questions, please reach out to the instructor for help.

Please click here to view the video tutorial on how to create and upload a ZIP file to Blackboard. (Click here to view the transcript for the tutorial.)

Information about accessing the grading rubric for this assignment is provided below.

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Unit V Article Critique

For this assignment, use the Academic Search Complete database available in the CSU Online Library to find an article on current trends in website development. The article should be published after 2010. Write an article critique that includes the following information:

briefly introduce and summarize the article, identify the author’s main points, identify the author’s intended audience, identify specific issues addressed in the article, discuss whether the information in the article applies to this course, and discuss how the author could expand on the main points.

Your review should be at least one page in length, not counting the title and reference pages. Use APA style when writing your critique. Cite any direct quotes or paraphrases from the article, and include any sources used in your critique in a reference page.

Information about accessing the grading rubric for this assignment is provided below.

Unit V Lab Assignment

Complete Toolwire – Lab A.

Upload a copy of the HTML and CSS files that contain your completed lists and links. Your navigation links should load the appropriate page targets. Replication of the navigation links on other pages of your website will continue in Part B.

In other words, you will create a draft of a navigation tool on one of the HTML pages such as your home page and apply a style for this tool in the CSS file.

Complete Toolwire – Lab B.

After adding navigation to your website pages, upload all of your website files, including the updated CSS file, for grading. Files can be uploaded individually or as a ZIP file. Be sure to test your navigation links in a browser before submitting. Remember, your links, when clicked, should take the visitor to that page.

Please click here to view the video tutorial on how to create and upload a ZIP file to Blackboard. (Click here to view the transcript for the tutorial.)

Information about accessing the grading rubric for this assignment is provided below.

Unit VI Lab Assignment

Complete Toolwire – Lab A.

After testing your video in a web browser, take a screenshot of the completed video from the web browser, and paste the image in a document. Upload this document and the HTML file with the multimedia element for grading.

Complete Toolwire – Lab B.

After testing your table in a web browser, take a screenshot of the completed table from the web browser, and paste the image in a document. Upload this document, the CSS file, and the HTML file with the table element for grading.

Complete Toolwire – Lab C.

After testing your form in a web browser, take a screenshot of the completed form from the web browser, and paste the image in a document. Upload this document and the HTML file with the form element for grading.

Please click here to view the video tutorial on how to create and upload a ZIP file to Blackboard. (Click here to view the transcript for the tutorial.)

Information about accessing the grading rubric for this assignment is provided below.

Unit VII Project

In this unit, you will start building your website in either Notepad ++ or BlueGriffon. Before you start, complete the following homework assignment. Use diagrams and illustrations as needed:

1. Discuss the table(s) and form(s) that you will include in your website, including their purpose. 2. Discuss the internal and/or external links you will use in your website. 3. Discuss the multimedia and interactivity element(s) you will use in your website, including their purpose. 4. Upload the document for grading. This document needs to be a minimum of two pages in length. APA is not required

for this document.

Begin working on this project; it is due in Unit VIII.

Using the documentation you completed throughout this course and the Toolwire labs as a guide, begin building your website in the HTML editor that you chose. The completed website will be due at the end of Unit VIII.

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Your website must include the following elements:

at least four web pages, HTML and/or CSS, a Home or Landing page. visual consistency (color and text), at least one image, at least one table, at least one form (interactive element), at least three valid internal and/or external links (no broken links or dead ends), and at least one multimedia element.

Your website must be mobile friendly.

As you add your text and position your optimized images in the HTML editor, complete the tasks below.

Use responsive web design techniques to ensure your website will be effective on multiple devices and screen sizes. Apply the rules of good typography. Include alternative text descriptions for images and follow other WAI accessibility guidelines, please visit the following websites for more information:

https://www.w3.org/WAI/intro/accessibility.php https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG20/quickref/

Develop your home page and underlying pages according to your chosen website structure. Establish and apply a consistent page layout and color scheme for all pages at your website to achieve unity. Limit the color scheme to no more than three complementary colors.

Download from the web, purchase, link to, or create any multimedia you want to include on your web pages. Insert the elements into your pages following the guidelines for multimedia. Give proper credit where necessary. Develop any web- based forms you want to include on your web pages following the guidelines in the Toolwire labs for creating usable forms.

Information about accessing the grading rubric for this assignment is provided below.

Unit VII Lab Assignment

Part A – Reviewing WordPress and its Features

After completing your website shell in WordPress, take a screenshot of the shell in a web browser or from WordPress, and paste the image in a document. Include a title page.

Part B – Using WordPress for Building Websites

Insert at least one social media button and one plugin on your website in WordPress. Take a screenshot of each item (or together if they are on a single web page) from a web browser or from WordPress, and paste the image or images in the same document.

Part C – Submitting Your Work To Your Instructor

Copy and paste your website address from WordPress into a new document and include the following items:

a brief description of what you included in your website, a discussion of how you would use social media content in your website, and a discussion of the plugin you chose and how this will be useful for your website.

APA is not required for this assignment. Upload these documents as separate documents or as a ZIP file for grading. If you have questions, please reach out to your instructor for help.

Please click here to view the video tutorial on how to create and upload a ZIP file to Blackboard. (Click here to view the transcript for the tutorial.)

Information about accessing the grading rubric for this assignment is provided below.

Unit VIII Final Project

Complete the development of your website.

Your website must include the following elements:

at least four web pages, HTML and/or CSS, a Home or Landing page. visual consistency (color and text), at least one image, at least one table, at least one form (interactive element), at least three valid internal and/or external links (no broken links or dead ends), and at least one multimedia element.

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Your website must be mobile friendly.

Be sure to test your website using a web browser, and then upload the entire website to Blackboard as a zipped file for grading.

Please click here to view the video tutorial on how to create and upload a ZIP file to Blackboard. (Click here to view the transcript for the tutorial.)

Information about accessing the grading rubric for this assignment is provided below.

APA Guidelines

The application of the APA writing style shall be practical, functional, and appropriate to each academic level, with the primary purpose being the documentation (citation) of sources. CSU requires that students use APA style for certain papers and projects. Students should always carefully read and follow assignment directions and review the associated grading rubric when available. Students can find The CSU Citation Guide by clicking here. This document includes examples and sample papers and provides information on how to contact the CSU Writing Center.

Grading Rubrics

This course utilizes analytic grading rubrics as tools for your professor in assigning grades for all learning activities. Each rubric serves as a guide that communicates the expectations of the learning activity and describes the criteria for each level of achievement. In addition, a rubric is a reference tool that lists evaluation criteria and can help you organize your efforts to meet the requirements of that learning activity. It is imperative for you to familiarize yourself with these rubrics because these are the primary tools your professor uses for assessing learning activities.

Rubric categories include: (1) Discussion Board, (2) Assessment (Written Response), and (3) Assignment. However, it is possible that not all of the listed rubric types will be used in a single course (e.g., some courses may not have Assessments).

The Discussion Board rubric can be found within Unit I’s Discussion Board submission instructions.

The Assessment (Written Response) rubric can be found embedded in a link within the directions for each Unit Assessment. However, these rubrics will only be used when written-response questions appear within the Assessment.

Each Assignment type (e.g., article critique, case study, research paper) will have its own rubric. The Assignment rubrics are built into Blackboard, allowing students to review them prior to beginning the Assignment and again once the Assignment has been scored. This rubric can be accessed via the Assignment link located within the unit where it is to be submitted. Students may also access the rubric through the course menu by selecting “Tools” and then “My Grades.”

Again, it is vitally important for you to become familiar with these rubrics because their application to your Discussion Boards, Assessments, and Assignments is the method by which your instructor assigns all grades.

Communication Forums

These are non-graded discussion forums that allow you to communicate with your professor and other students. Participation in these discussion forums is encouraged, but not required. You can access these forums with the buttons in the Course Menu.

Click here for instructions on how to subscribe/unsubscribe and post to the Communication Forums.

Ask the Professor

This communication forum provides you with an opportunity to ask your professor general or course content questions. Questions may focus on Blackboard locations of online course components, textbook or course content elaboration, additional guidance on assessment requirements, or general advice from other students.

Questions that are specific in nature, such as inquiries regarding assessment/assignment grades or personal accommodation requests, are NOT to be posted on this forum. If you have questions, comments, or concerns of a non- public nature, please feel free to e-mail your professor. Responses to your post will be addressed or e-mailed by the professor within 48 hours.

Before posting, please ensure that you have read all relevant course documentation, including the syllabus, assessment/assignment instructions, faculty feedback, and other important information.

Student Break Room

This communication forum allows for casual conversation with your classmates. Communication on this forum should always maintain a standard of appropriateness and respect for your fellow classmates. This forum should NOT be used to share assessment answers.

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Schedule/Grading

The following pages contain a printable Course Schedule to assist you through this course. By following this schedule, you will be assured that you will complete the course within the time allotted.

Unit I The Web Environment and Publishing Fundamentals [ Weight: 14% ]

Read/View: Unit I Study Guide The Web Environment and Publishing Fundamentals

Discuss: Unit I Discussion Board 2%

Submit: Unit I Homework Assignment Unit I Lab Assignment

6% 6%

Unit II Planning a Successful Website [ Weight: 18% ]

Read/View: Unit II Study Guide The Website Planning and HTML Basics

Discuss: Unit II Discussion Board 2%

Submit: Unit II Article Critique Unit II Homework Assignment Unit II Lab Assignment

6% 4% 6%

Unit III Planning and Designing Web Pages (HTML/CSS) [ Weight: 12% ]

Read/View: Unit III Study Guide Website Planning and HTML Basics 2

Discuss: Unit III Discussion Board 2%

Submit: Unit III PowerPoint Presentation Unit III Lab Assignment

6% 4%

Unit IV Images and Typography [ Weight: 8% ]

Read/View: Unit IV Study Guide Lists and Links

Discuss: Unit IV Discussion Board 2%

Submit: Unit IV Lab Assignment 6%

Unit V Links, Lists, Navigation, and Positioning Objects with CSS [ Weight: 12% ]

Read/View: Unit V Study Guide Links, Lists, Navigation, and Positioning Objects with CSS

Discuss: Unit V Discussion Board 2%

Submit: Unit V Article Critique Unit V Lab Assignment

4% 6%

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Unit VI Using Styles and Style Sheets for Design and Collecting Data Using Forms and Tables [ Weight: 8% ]

Read/View: Unit VI Study Guide Using Styles and Style Sheets for Design, and Collecting Data Using Forms and Tables

Discuss: Unit VI Discussion Board 2%

Submit: Unit VI Lab Assignment 6%

Unit VII Multimedia and Interactivity [ Weight: 14% ]

Read/View: Unit VII Study Guide Multimedia and Interactivity

Discuss: Unit VII Discussion Board 2%

Submit: Unit VII Project Unit VII Lab Assignment

6% 6%

Unit VIII Promoting and Maintaining a Website [ Weight: 14% ]

Read/View: Unit VIII Study Guide

Discuss: Unit VIII Discussion Board 2%

Submit: Unit VIII Final Project 12%

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