CIT 235 - Web Development

Summer 2008 Syllabus

Course Description: 

This course expands the skills base introduced in the CIT 230 course. It continues use of XHTML 1.0 Strict, CSS 2.1 and usability guidelines. New concepts are introduced including database driven dynamic web pages that adhere to usability and also meet WCAG and Section 508 accessibility guidelines. In addition, scripting and XML concepts will be introduced and implemented. The course will be taught following the concepts of the BYU-Idaho Learning Model. Please be sure to read and understand the expectations within this model.

Materials:

  • Krug, Steve. (2006). Don’t Make Me Think, 2nd Ed. Berkeley, CA: New Riders (ISBN 0-321-34475-8). Required Book
  • Lloyd, Ian. (2006). Build Your Own Web Site The Right Way Using HTML & CSS. Collingwood, Australia: SitePoint. (ISBN 0-9752402-9-3). Recommended Book
  • Domain name for yourself with linux domain hosting for at least the length of this course. I recommend godaddy.com. If you choose a different host you will be responsible for all setup and control. I will not be able to assist you.
  • Adobe Creative Suite 3 Web Standard (available in Smith 476)
  • Active BYU-Idaho student email account (check it daily!)

Objectives: 

Students will demonstrate both knowledge and application skills for:

  • Planning and developing web pages and sites that follow usability and accessibility guidelines;
  • Developing web pages using both GUI and text-based interfaces;
  • Purchasing and registering a domain name for yourself;
  • Purchasing, setting up and maintaining web space on a web hosting site;
  • Planning, developing and maintaining databases for a hosted site;
  • Implementing current and emerging web development standards;
  • Implementing CSS to define presentation of content;
  • Implementing valid XHTML and XML elements within documents;
  • Creating database driven dynamic web pages;
  • Implementing scripting for dynamic interactions;
  • Creating strategies for site maintenance and manageability;
  • Researching and writing web-appropriate privacy and terms of use policies;
  • Working individually and in groups to develop web sites.
  • Working within and meeting deadlines while producing work that meets performance standards.

Assignments: 

All assignments are submitted by being posted to the student's web site by the due date. Unless otherwise noted all assignments should be XHTML strict web pages.

Assignment

Site Hosting

Students will be responsible for acquiring their own linux-based web hosting and domain name. I recommend goDaddy.com and signing up for their $1.99 domain name special. Hosting must be maintained for the duration of the course.

Once the hosting is operational, you must email me your web address (URL) and I will create a common directory for the class to allow members of the class to visit one another's sites.

Standards Issues

Each student will read the current standards and controversy surrounding them and develop a response paper to each. These papers are meant to provide a mechanism for the student to examine the issues and reflect on them. Furthermore, it is to provide a means of being informed to affect their future development. These are not research papers, these are meant to illustrate the student's ability to read and understand issues.

Practice Assignments

Homework assignments given to practice the skills and concepts covered in class will be given following the conclusion of class demonstrations and must be posted to your web site via an "Assignments" page. These assignments will demonstrate:
  • Mastery of the skills covered
  • Ability to work independently using the covered skills
  • Ability to enlarge and transfer those skills to new tasks

 Alternative CSS Implementation

CSS can control the presentation of the web content for different user agents. All web pages will use a minimum of three media styles sheets - Screen, Print and Handheld. All should be developed and tested across multiple browsers and versions. All CSS must be validated using the W3C CSS validator.

 Professional Web Site Evaluation

Conduct one in-depth web site evaluation of a professional web site. The evaluation will cover five components: 1) design, 2) code validity, 3) css implementation, 4) usability and 5) accessibility. Within each area the evaluator is to identify problems or potential problems that may exist. For each problem a solution must be offered. This assignment is intended to allow you to "dig" into a web site and use your skills to assess its construction and adherence to standards as discussed and researched throughout the semester. This is an in-depth evaluation and must in-depth work!

 Student Web Site

Each student will plan, build and maintain an web standards compliant, database driven web site which meets the objectives outlined in the class objectives list and the posted criteria.

Business Web Site

Each student will join a web development team and the team will plan, design, build and maintain a web standards compliant business site which meets the criteria for the site. Whenever possible these sites will be for real businesses so as to allow a real experience working with clients to achieve business goals.

 Research Papers

Conduct research and write two research papers which overview and document 1) developing a web privacy policy to protect privacy in web sites and 2) developing a Terms of Use policy to set forth use standards for users and owners of a web site. The papers must contain a minimum of five references each, be properly referenced using MLA style and be double spaced. The papers must be developed in a word processor and posted to the student web site as pdf a document.

 Web Accessibility Report (WAR) and Presentation

Each student will conduct weekly research into web accessibility standards as described in the WCAG or Section 508 guidelines. Based upon the research the student will prepare a weekly summary report (1 page, due each Saturday). The summary report should include the following elements: a) the standard being reported (including subsection), b) a link to the original source, c) a summary of the standard, d) a summary indicating how the standard must be implemented within web development and e) a web site of your own choice with an analysis of how the web site either meets or fails with the particular standard (Be sure to identify the site by name and include a link to the site).
In addition, each student will present a maximum 5 minute presentation on a topic from one of their WAR summaries. The summaries and presentation must be accessible from the student web site's assignment page. The presentation must be developed using powerpoint, flash or another graphical type tool.

Accessibility

Each student must demonstrate implementation of accessibility mechanisms in their personal website. These mechanisms will be implemented in the web pages and explained using a colophon page.

Exams

Students will take two exams (mid-term and final) during the course to assess their understanding of objectives as stated in the syllabus. The midterm is conceptual while the final is production.

Late Work Policy

All work is due by midnight (unless otherwise indicated) on the dates specified by the professor and/or the schedule listed below. Assignments submitted after the deadline are penalized 50%. Be prompt and on time with all assignments. It is your responsibility to test assignment links for functionality. Broken links are the same as late assignments.

Grading: 

All numbers are percentages.

94 - 100 A
90 - 93.9 A-
87 - 89.9 B+
80 - 86.9 B
77 - 79.9 C+
70 - 76.9 C
67 - 69.9 D+
60 - 66.9 D
<59.9 F

Lab Facilities 

The Smith 476 computer lab is available for your use to complete assignments. Not all labs on campus will have all software used in the course. You should not enter any classroom while classes are in session. The lab operating hours are posted outside the door.

Download all assignments to your calendar program. This link returns an .ics file based on the microformating code in this page. The .ics file can be used to place all of the assignments for class into your calendaring program. If you are using a Mac, just click the open button and it will import the course assignments to iCal within a calendar of your choice. If you are using a PC, save the file. Then open your calendar program and import the file to a calendar of your choice.

Tentative Schedule

The schedule below is tentative in that it is a best effort anticipation of how the semester will progress. However, I reserve the right to alter it as needed. Most formal assignments are due on Saturday by midnight. These assignments are listed as the last entry under each week and the date is shown. There are practice assignments that will given in class that are in addition to those shown on the schedule.

Week 1
Intro to course; Basic Development Guides reviewed (Site hosting; Guideline Readings)
4/26 — Saturday - hosting acquired; URL submitted; Basic page posted;
Week 2
Prototyping & Modularization — (View DVD at McKay Library)
5/3 — Saturday — War 1;
Week 3
Accessibility Basics & Database Essentials
5/10 — Saturday - War 2; Markup Standards Paper;
Week 4
Maintaining State with markup devices
5/17 — Saturday - War 3;
Week 5
Basis CMS development
5/24 — Saturday - War 4; CSS Standards Paper;
Week 6
Passing and using parameters in dynamic interactions
5/31 — Saturday - War 5; Business site plan due;
Week 7
Mid-term Exam
6/7 — Saturday - War 6; Accessibility Standards Paper;
Week 8
No Class (Professor Gone) - Research Papers
6/14 — Saturday - War 7; Research papers;
Week 9
More dynamic elements
6/21 — Saturday - War 8;
Week 10
Alternative Style sheets (Print and Handheld CSS)
6/28 — Saturday - War 9;
Week 11
Catch-up and finish up business sites
7/5 — Saturday - War 10; Professional Site Evaluation;
Week 12
Business site presentations
7/8 — Tuesday - Business Sites due by class presentation
7/10 — Thursday - Business Sites due by class presentation
7/12 — Saturday - All late work due today!
Week 13
7/15 — Tuesday - Student Site Assessment
7/17 — Thursday - Final Exam

Class Policies

Computer Ethics

The use of the school´s network, systems and data impose responsibilities and obligations upon the students to use these computer components in an ethical manner and in accordance with the guidelines found in the Honor Code. Students are to access only data and files that are owned by them or the instructor who has given explicit authorization for them to be used. Copyrighted material must be used in accordance with copyright law and applicable license agreements followed. Attempting to circumvent or subvert system security measures or engaging in any activity that causes harm to systems or to any information stored thereon, such as creating or propagating viruses, disrupting services, or damaging files are considered inappropriate use. Violators are subject to disciplinary actions as prescribed by school policy and may also be prosecuted under applicable local, state, or federal civil or criminal law.

Content Disclaimer

This syllabus represents a proposed overview of the content, expectations and sequence of the course. Changes may occur during the course at the discretion of the teacher. Students will be informed when and if such changes occur.

Honor Code

All students are expected to abide by the Honor Code and Dress and Grooming Standards. These standards apply to all classrooms and labs. If you are not sure of the standards or honor code, please review them here: Dress and Grooming and Honor Code. Hats, caps and shorts are all popular attire, but are not appropriate for classrooms and should not be worn in classrooms or labs by men or women.

Reasonable Accommodation for Students with Disabilities

In compliance with applicable disability law, qualified students with a disability may be entitled to ´reasonable accommodation.´ It is the student´s responsibility to disclose to appropriate personnel in the Services for Students with a Disability (SSD) Office any special need he/she may have and to provide the appropriate documentation of the disability. The SSD office is located inside the Learning Assistance Center, McKay Library 1st floor.