Class Details

“I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it.” – Pablo Picasso.

Summary:

This is a basic web development class that will teach you how to create a webpage and get it online. You will learn HTML (website markup language), CSS (code that controls how your website looks), and JavaScript (powerful programming language that can make your website interactive). You will understand what a web host is, how to register a domain name, and how to get your website online. You will learn how to make your website mobile-friendly, the difference between websites and mobile applications, and how to develop mobile applications for iPhones and Androids. You will learn and practice graphic design basics by creating digital media for the school website, using free, high quality stock image websites, and using a free online image editing tool similar to Photoshop. You will also maintain an online portfolio to display your best work.

Schedule:

  • B C E F days
  • Periods 5 and 6

Location:

  • Media Department, MHS library

Grading

You will spend most of your time working on in-class projects. Your grade will be based upon the following:

  • Effort put into your work, including creativity, time spent, and completion of tasks
  • Class participation
  • Progress toward the goals you set for yourself (you will evaluate yourself)
  • See the grades explained infographic 

Contact me

  • My office is in the back of the library in the Media Department area. You can also email me at agoldsberry@medford.k12.ma.us. I’m usually in the building every school day until 2:45 pm but please make sure to check with me if you want to see me after school.

Resources

  • Follow MHS web design on Twitter

Course Outline (last updated August 2018)

Here are the projects and topics we will work on this year:

Fall

  • Goal statements and guiding questions
  • Internet, domain, and web hosting basics; how to get your site online
  • Blogging, WordPress, and content management systems
  • Browser basics
  • Cyber security
  • Online portfolios
  • How to find quality images that are free and legal to use
  • Image editing with Pixlr.com
  • Graphic design (color theory, typography)
  • HTML5 and CSS3 (basic)
  • Creating a webpage using a plain text editor (Notepad++)
  • Digital media production (graphics, photos)
  • Content creation for school/city website & social media accounts

Winter

  • HTML5 and CSS3 (intermediate)
  • JavaScript and jQuery
  • Browser developer tools (Chrome, Firefox)
  • Responsive design; CSS frameworks; Bootstrap
  • Graphic design challenges
  • Digital media production (graphics, photos)
  • Content creation for school/city website & social media accounts

Spring

  • HTML5 and CSS3 (intermediate/advanced)
  • JavaScript and jQuery
  • Digital media production (graphics, photos)
  • Graphic design challenges
  • Mobile app UI & development (prototyping; AppInventor; iOS & Android IDEs & development)
  • Web hosts, website analytics
  • Content creation for school/city website & social media accounts

Other topics (explored throughout the year)

  • Google and some of its useful apps you can use for your website projects (Translate, Analytics, etc.)
  • Web accessibility
  • Social media
  • Security
  • Tools that you can use (free or cheap) to enhance your website

7 thoughts on “Class Details”

  1. Im starting a web design class for the first time at my school and Im looking for resources that will help us get started. I was looking for books or programs that i could get to help with the class. I have some limited experience with web design so teaching the students basic skills is where we are starting.
    Any help or advice is welcomed.
    Thank you

  2. I am high school teacher in New Jersey and I was told I had to teach web design (a half year course) this year. I have been panicking because I only have a few hours of html and Css education myself and I am by no means proficient (not to mention I have a toddler and I’m pregnant with my second, so I have no time outside of class to practice). It will be a learning process for me as well as the kids but for this year I am trying to keep my head above water with some basic topics we can all learn, apply, and have fun with. Your site has been a helpful starting point. May I ask you for some advice?? I noticed one of your topics is “programming tutorials”. Is that an online resource or your own custom tutorial? Suggested resources for ethical/moral digital citizenship content? Specific projects and assignments? You sound super busy but I thought it wouldn’t hurt to throw out a (desperate) request? thanks!!!

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