Course Syllabus: GDT 150 - Design for the Internet

WCC/Winter 2004
Mondays and Wednesdays, 6:00-8:55 PM
Instructor: Therese Nielsen

Instructor Contact Information

By E-mail: tnielsen@wccnet.edu or therese@tmnielsen.com
By WCC mailbox: GM 300
By Phone: If email access is unavailable, you may reach me at 904-1660.

Students may arrange to consult with me outside of class time if needed.

Course Prerequisites

o      GDT 140 or PHO 127 or INP 152 minimum grade "C" and COMPASS Pre-Algebra = 37

o      Proficiency (not just familiarity) using Macintosh computers

o      Experience using word processing programs and keyboarding skills

o      Familiarity with the Internet: using search engines and web browsers

Course Description

This course provides a thorough introduction to the process of designing and constructing web sites. Students complete exercises and projects using current industry standard web authoring and image editing software. Graphic design principles and methodologies are used to construct a web site and post it on the World Wide Web. Knowledge of vector drawing software is recommended. This course is a requirement in the GDT-Design program.

Textbooks

Required:

o      Web Design Workshop (Robin Williams)
o      Visual Quickstart Guide for Macromedia Dreamweaver MX (J. Tarin Towers)

Recommended:

o      Don't Make Me Think (Steve Krug)
o      Web Style Guide - 2nd Edition(Patrick J. Lynch and Sarah Horton)

Materials Needed

o      A storage device such as a mini USB Flash drive, a zip disk, or a CD-RW

o      A notebook for notes, paper and pencil

o      Colored pencils and graph paper


Method of Instruction

Concepts and skills are introduced through lecture, tutorials and step-by-step instructions. These will be followed up with sampler/practice exercises, which students will be quizzed on. Files for these exercises will be available on the network in Class folders. Copy these onto your storage device as well. Below is a summary of how students will learn:

o      written essays analyzing strengths and weaknesses of existing websites

o      exercises and critiques about design topics

o      brief demonstrations and exercises to master software and equipment usage.

o      lectures on technical topics

o      demos using the text which will introduce or reinforce topics

o      project work: Three projects in which students will construct websites; one from  provided material and two from original material. , site maps, storyboards, as well as sketches.

 

Time will be allotted during the class to work on exercises and projects. Plan for time outside of class to work. Open lab times will be posted and announced shortly after the start of the semester.

 

Class Policies

Attendance


To maintain good attendence credit, students are expected to attend class, arriving on time and staying until the end of class. After 3 unexcused absences, or 6 tardies, your attendence credit is adversely affected. If you know you are going to miss a class, please email me beforehand, or leave me a message. If you miss a class and notify me beforehand, I will spend time to get you caught up. It is advisable to have another student with whom you arrange to exchange class information if you miss a class.

Homework

To do well in this class, plan on spending between 2.5-5 hours outside of class to complete reading and homework assignments.

Initially you will turn in all of your work to the GDT 150 Section 02 folder, in addition to printing out written assignments. After FTP is covered, you will also FTP your work to the server, as part of your class web page.

If you do not have Internet access at home, WCC can provide free Internet access. Go to www.wccnet.org/computingatwcc/dialup.php. Or, you may use the available computer labs or the Learning Resource Center for this purpose. All students should have a WCC student (web space and email) account. If you don't have one, go to www.wccnet.org/computingatwcc/emailactivation.php and follow the instructions.

Assignments are still due for all absences. Special instruction will not be given for unexcused absences.

All assignments have deadlines and must be turned in at the specified time on the due date. Failure to do so will result in a lowering of the grade by one half-grade. Assignments will not be accepted more than one class after the due date.

 

In Class

In-class work will generally consist of demos, lectures, or project work. During class time, students are expected to work on assigned work for this class only. You will also be expected to pay attention to demonstrations and lectures and take notes and ask questions.


Please be advised that as the instructor I have access to the Remote Desktop software, and it will be used from time to time. This software has many functions, including:

Locking of student computer screens during a lecture. In this case I can use RD to share the information on my screen with the students' computer screens. It is also possible for a student to share his/her screen with the class.

My browsing the screens of everyone in class. This is useful to me during a quiz, or during an exercise. I can take note if a student is confused, and help them. It also keeps me informed of students that are not using the class time constructively.

Messaging. I can send you an message during class.

Cell phone and social conversations, instant messaging, and email should wait until after class or during the break time. Cell phones must be on vibrate or off during class. If you need to answer a cell phone call, please leave the classroom quietly to talk outside of class.

 

Projects

Projects must be turned in to the Class Folders as well as FTP'd to the WCC server. Printed code must accompany all projects, along with any other material assigned to be turned in (i.e. site maps/storyboards, etc.).

All projects have deadlines and must be turned in at the specified time on the due date. Failure to do so will result in a lowering of the grade by one half-grade. Projects will not be accepted more than one class after the due date.

Printing
This class does not require the use of the high-quality color printer, so please limit your prints to the standard black and white printer.

Resources

Class website: http://courses.wccnet .org/~tnielsen. Schedule, assignments, links, etc. will be posted on this site.

Study Assistance

If you decide to drop the class, please tell me. If you are having difficulty, options might include tutoring or changing to an audit. If you are unable to complete the course during the semester due to unexpected events, contact me before the end of the semester.

If you need tutoring or feel that you may learn differently, the Learning Support Services Department is there to help you, go to LA 104 on the main campus or visit www.wccnet.org/studentresources/learningsupport/.

Grading

Evaluation is based on attendance and participation(10%), in-class demos (10%), homework assignments (25%), quizzes (10%), demos (10%), and projects/presentation (45%). Work must be turned in complete and on time to receive full credit.

Homework Assignments

25%

Production projects

45%

(Project 1)

(10%)

(Project 2)
includes sitemap and storyboards

(15%)

(Project 3)
includes client proposal, sitemap, storyboards, critiques, and presentation

(20%)

Demos

10%

Quizzes

10%

In class participation and attendance

10%


Factors considered in grading lessons and exercises include: following instructions, technical accuracy, craftsmanship, thoroughness, demonstration of understanding of the material in each lesson, and completing lessons on time.

 

Semester grades possible:

93% - 100% A
90% - 92% A-

87% - 89% B+
83% - 86% B
80% - 82% B-

77% - 79% C+
73% - 76% C
70% - 72% C-

67% - 69% D+
63% - 66% D
60% - 62% D-

00% - 59% F