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Course Overview

Welcome to CIS 58.51A, Creating Web Pages 1 - HTML.
This course is designed for the beginning student who wants to create Web pages for the World Wide Web. You need to be familiar with the basics of computer usage and feel comfortable using the Internet. If you do not have these skills I recommend you enroll in an Introduction to the PC (or Mac) class, and the Introduction to Internet course.

HyperText Markup Language (HTML) is the basis of all the lessons in the course. For students who are considering a career in Web design, it is essential that you master HTML. If you want to create a home page for yourself or others as a hobby, you may want to consider a course in Netscape Gold, PageMill, or FrontPage. These software packages create Web pages without requiring that you learn HTML.

In addition to memorizing HTML codes, you will be asked to develop skills in organizing information; writing clearly and concisely; using colors and graphics which are effective and pleasing to the eye; and presenting your finished Web project to an audience. In short, there is more to Web design than knowing HTML.

This introductory course will not provide you with all you need to know to become a "Webmaster;" however, it will help you get started!

What you can expect generally?:
Online courses have been extremely popular at SRJC, and I think you will enjoy learning in this environment. However, there are some things that the new online student should know. Enrolling in an online course will probably require MORE time and energy than a traditional course. You need to be extremely disciplined, because there are no class meetings to present information, get you focused, and remind you of your homework. You also need to be very good at reading and following directions, because most of what you need to know is presented either on a computer screen or in a book. You must set aside at least 4-6 hours a week to do the work for this course. The good news is that, if you are a morning person, you can start work at 5:30 am, and, if you aren’t, all the materials will still be there after the kids have finally gone to sleep.

You will be required to meet deadlines exactly as you would in a traditional class. Late assignments will have points deducted. I have taken many online courses, and I can tell you from harsh personal experience that you should not wait until the last minute to submit your assignments. The dog won’t eat your homework, but your Internet Service Provider will go down at the worst possible moment. If you have to be out of town without a computer, complete the work BEFORE you leave. I will happily accept assignments before the due date.

What you can expect specifically:
In this class you will use the World Wide Web, CDs, and the textbook to learn HTML. You will turn in assignments and communicate with me and with your classmates via e-mail. You will learn how to load your Web pages so the world can view them on the Web.

Each week you will be asked to:
* review the instructional information on the Web site
* view the CDs that show you how to write code and how to avoid the common mistakes beginners make
* read the related material in the textbook, and
* do your homework!

You must have an Internet account that allows you to access the WWW and use email. I will require you to use Netscape or Internet Explorer (4.0 or higher) as your Internet browser, so, if you are an AOL user, you will need to download and configure Netscape or IE.

You will have three assignments due in the first week, and by attempting these assignments (don’t worry, everything will be explained in detail), you will find out if you have sufficient experience to participate successfully in an online class. If things are just too difficult for you, I may recommend that you take an e-mail or WWW class to prepare you for learning online, or you can enroll in one of the traditional classroom HTML classes.

All regular communication between us will be online. (However, I am also available by telephone, and you are welcome to drop in during my office hours or when I have scheduled lab time.) I look forward to a very successful course, and I certainly hope that you want to come back for more in CIS 58.51B, Creating Web Pages 2 - HTML. You don’t want to stop in midstream!  

All assignments and materials will be available to you at all times, but I do recommend that you stay with the work of the current week and not work ahead too far. We will be "talking" about the issues online during the week, and I may have to change an assignment if circumstances dictate. I check my email at least once a day, and, depending on my schedule, you can expect to hear back from me within 24 hours of sending a message, possibly less.

After reading this, you should purchase the book and CD and then relax and take advantage of what little we have left of the summer. On August 19 you will be able to officially join the class by clicking on the link at the bottom of this page. That will enable you to access the rest of this Web site -- to see the assignments, the homework, code examples, etc. I will spend the better part of the first week getting everyone accounted for, solving various technical problems, and answering many, many questions. Never, ever feel quilty about asking for help - that's why I'm here!

Instructor Information
Linda Hemenway
http://www.santarosa.edu/~lhemenw
Voice mail: 527-4855
E-Mail: lhemenway@santarosa.edu

Grading Policy
Most assignments will be turned in using online forms which must be received by midnight on the due date. If for some reason you cannot submit these forms - don't despair! Send an email with the information.

Please copy and paste the data into the email. NO attachments will be accepted. You need to indicate the assignment, last name, and section # in the Subject line of the email.

This class may be taken Credit/No Credit (CR/NC) or it may be taken for a grade. If you are pursuing a certificate a letter grade is recommended. Letter grades will be assigned based on the total points earned during the course as a percentage of possible points, as follows:
HTML code (4) - 260
Quizzes (4) - 80
Miscellaneous (7) - 60
Total points possible - 400

Please access these assignments by referring to the homework page.

Grading Scale:
90% - 100% - A
80% - 89% - B
70% - 79% - C (70% and above = CR)
69% - 60% - D
below 60& - F

Late Work Policy
Homework is late if not “turned in” by midnight on Sunday of the week it is assigned. I will accept homework for one week after it is due, but the grade will be 20% less than it would have been otherwise. I will accept a quiz for one week after it is due, but the grade will be 20% less than it would have been otherwise. There will be no final exam. The completion of your Web site will be your final project.

Class Participation
You will be asked to participate fully in this class. In addition to studying the basic materials, I expect you to: turn in your homework as scheduled,read your email daily, and publish your Web pages as they begin to come together. Of course, I will communicate with you regularly by e-mail, and I hope to hear from you whenever you have a problem or a suggestion. Please feel free to communicate with each other using the class mailing list "htmlclass@lists.sonic.net". These online classes can make students feel isolated, and sharing a problem or a resource with a classmate is good for the soul. As you probably know, strong friendships can develop online. The more we "talk", the better.  

Lab Policy
The CIS department provides several computer labs including :

1. CIS Lab - Maggini Hall 3rd floor (Windows and Mactntosh)
2. BCL Lab - Maggini Hall 2nd floor (Windows only)
3. PET Lab - Petaluma Center (Windows and Mactntosh)

These labs all have Netscape and IE as well as HTML editors and graphics software. We have zip drives, scanners, color printers, and laser writers as well.The lab printers are for printing class assignments only! Please do not use the printers to print out class notes or large web sites which can consume several printed pages.

Hardware & Software
It doesn't matter if you are a PC user or a Mac user. You just need to have access to the Internet, and your browser should be Netscape 4.0 (or better) or Internet Explorer 4.0 (or better.) If you are an AOL user, you must download and configure Netscape or IE for use in this class. The AOL browser doesn't always work the way we want it to.

If you are working on a PC, you must use Notepad (found under Accessories) as your text editor. Mac users should use SimpleText. You do NOT want to write your HTML code in Microsoft Word. Terrible things will happen! Other software will be required as the class progresses, but you will be able to download it easily from the Internet, so don't worry about it yet.  

Textbook & CD
Required: The textbook we use is Teach Yourself Web Publishing with HTML and XHTML in 21 Days (Fourth Edition) by Laura Lemay. The publisher is Sams Publishing, and the ISBN # is 0672325195. You may purchase the book at theSRJC Bookstores, or online at amazon.com.

You are also required to purchase a CD that contains all of the course notes and videos demonstrating many of the techniques you must master. The CD also contins mistakes made frequently by beginners, plus advanced tips, and design advice. The name of the CD is Creating Web Pages - HTML 1, and it is self-published by Linda Hemenway and available at SRJC bookstores or online at CCNow.

For online students this CD is a "must have." One of the problems with online education is that your instructor can’t simply lean over your shoulder, look at what you are doing, and point out your mistake.

Note: Some students may have Linda's videotapes from several years ago. The same material is covered, so you do not need to purchase the CD since the same material is covered.

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