Instructor: David Consalvi
Contact Information:
Email: dconsalvi@shead.org for private questions about things specific to your individual performance.
Moodle discussion board for general questions that may pertain to everyone.
Phone: 207-853-6254
Or you may schedule a time to meet.
Course Description
The Introduction to Web Development course is designed to get students building web sites using hand coding. The course will build the basic skills that enable a student to become a self directed learner using technology for planning and building web sites. The students will be able to use a simple text editor, ftp program and the Internet to present information for public access. The goal of the course is to prepare students to continue in Web development courses or pursue it on their own with an understanding of proper techniques and options available. Students will become familiar with the changes in Web development for XHTML compliance, W3C Validation, file management, and server interaction. The course is worth 0.5 elective credit and is open to anyone depending on space availability.
Classroom Rules
Students will be required to follow all safety procedures in order to participate in the lab activities*. Due to the difficulty of setting up labs, students should avoid missing these days. Labs may not be able to be made up and a substitute project may be assigned as an alternate.
*If dismissed from a lab for behavior reasons, students will receive a zero on that assignment and NOT be given the opportunity to make up the grade.
Students will be in class on time and ready to begin when the bell rings. This means they will be prepared with a pencil, paper, and necessary materials for every class.
If students miss class, they are responsible for the material and arranging to make up missing assignments if excused. Students should try to obtain the notes and assignments from fellow classmates. I will not seek out the student to give them missed work. The time allowed to make up work will follow the policy in the Shead Student Handbook. Work assigned prior to the absence is to be submitted upon return.
Materials Needed
This course will use a textbook and will use the Internet for reference sources and topics of discussion as well as in class reference books. Students must have a signed School Internet Use Form and Class Technology Use Form submitted or they will be removed from the course. Students may access the Moodle class through www.moodle.cdfarmsite.com. This also has a schedule of assignments and due dates.
Text Editor: NotePad++ (PC) or TextWrangler (Mac) - other options are available - check with instructor if necessary.
FTP Program: FileZilla Client (PC) or CyberDuck (Mac)
It is strongly suggested that students have a USB Computer Memory Key to store and transport files for the course.
Texts and Resources
Textbook: Sams Teach Yourself Web Publishing with HTML and CSS in One Hour a Day (5th Edition) by Laura Lemay.
Course Content
- Moodle introductions
- Putting your page online – ftp
- Text editors
- Good versus bad web designs
- Links and Text
- Images and Color
- Accessibility
- Final Project Design Document
- Tables
- CSS
Class Grading System
This course is based on participation and portfolio development. Students who keep on track completing their work and developing products should have no difficulties succeeding in the final portfolio review. Students are encouraged to revise their initial assignments to make improvements as the course progresses for the final portfolio.
The course will also have a deadline that must be met. There will be a reward / penalty based around the deadline for the completion of the Shead Yearbook that should be ready for submission to the printer by no later than May 2, 2008. Every student is responsible for meeting this deadline and supporting their peers in getting this done. Early completion of the project to instructor standards will add 1 percentage point to each student’s final grade up to a 100%. Likewise, every student in the class will lose 1 point per day from their final grade for late completion until the project goal is met.
Assignments will be due on time or the loss of an additional 10 percent for each day late will be the consequence. Students with time accommodations on file will have 1-1/2 the original time if approved before the due date. The additional time must be outside of regular class time and assumes that the student is using the available time in class appropriately. After that, the loss of grade will be the same. It is the student’s responsibility to let me know they will need the additional time and arrange for assistance before the due date.
Students are responsible for all material and assignments given prior to their absence. If a student is absent and has not completed already assigned material upon returning to school, it will be considered late.
The grades will be based on the following breakdown:
| 10 pts | Online discussion – 5 discussions x 2 points |
| 40 pts | Mini-projects – 10 mini-projects x 4 points |
| 20 pts | Final Portfolio – presentation and products |
| 30 pts | Participation – 10 weeks x 3 points |
Expectations
This will be a challenging course, but entertaining as well. If you have a particular interest that you would like to pursue, see me and we will try to arrange a way for the school resources to assist you. It is my belief that students who engage in activities that interest them will develop greater knowledge than those who simply complete assignments. Both learning techniques however are deemed important and are therefore required.
How the Moodle Virtual Classroom Works
Once you come to the virtual classroom site, http://www.cdfarmsite.com/moodle/ , there is a variety of class options to choose. Select the course that you are seeking. My courses all require a user name and password to enter. This enables parents and students to feel comfortable using the system. It is important not to give out your password. Submissions under your name are your responsibility and impact grades. If you feel you password has been compromised, notify your teacher immediately. Only members assigned by the course administrator can enter the course. Once in the course, grades are only visible to the individual responsible for them. The course outlines, assignments, forums, and more are open to anyone entering.
There are assignments, tutorials, notes, quizzes, and tests on the site to explore. The forums and chats are a means to post information to share with classmates that lead to increased ability to communicate understanding as well as simply find solutions to problems. All submissions and movements in the site are stored; therefore, I suggest that people do not post things they do not want to make public. Personal information or requests can be emailed to me at dconsalvi@shead.org.
Finally, it is important to be respectful when using the system. Remember to think about what you submit before posting it to the Virtual Classroom. This is a learning environment; therefore, proper grammar and etiquette are expected. Disciplinary action will be taken if inappropriate or disrespectful behavior is identified. All school policies apply to the use of the Virtual Classroom.