Internet Developer - CIS122/44

Welcome to the Internet Developer course, CIS122/44. This course will cover browsers, Web page development issues, HTML, XHTML, HTML5, CSS, JavaScript and web site issues. A portion of in class time will be spent working on Web assignments. People taking the course over the Web can do these assignments on their own time. The course will cover a lot of material and help you to become proficient with the Web as a tool and with creating and maintaining your own Web site.

If you are taking this as a Web based course it is extremely important that you either own a computer or have daily access to a computer. For students taking the course over the Web, the computer is your only source for information and the way you will communicate with the instructor. If you do not have a computer available and you are not comfortable working on the Web, you should be taking this course using the classroom option (see below).

The Web site:

The Web site that you are currently visiting will contain all information for this course. It is a resource for students in the classroom and the method of delivery for students taking the course over the Web. The class notes, sample HTML, XHTML, HTML5, CSS and JavaScript as well as PowerPoint presentations on the material will all be posted at the site as well as the assignments. The site will also list tutorials and other sites on the Web where information can be obtained. For students who want a reference book, I suggest a reasonably comprehensive book on XHTML and possibly HTML and an introductory book on JavaScript as references.
The weekly schedule is a week by week schedule to help the student keep current. I usually update the site four or five times a week, so be sure to check it on a regular basis. Note: Assignments will not be handed out in class, they are available on the Web.

I have changed my web site, so if you find something that does not connect, please let me know about the bad link so I can correct it. Hopefully everything will go smoothly, but perfection I do not expect!

Note that this is material from a wide variety of browsers in the examples and on the PowerPoints. I have upgraded some of them but have left others because in fact you should write code that is supported by all reasonable level of browsers - not just the latest.

The way this course works:

Students taking this course have three options:

1. They may choose to take it as a traditional classroom/lecture course and attend all or at least most classes
2. They may take the class entirely over the Web meaning that they will get notes and sample code over the Web and they will communicate with me mainly through e-mail. Students may also find the boardroom a useful way to communicate with other students in the class when general questions arise.
3. Students can blend the two approaches described above. If they have questions about the material, if they are confused about a specific topic, or if they just feel like attending class they are welcome to do so. If it is inconvenient to attend class or they feel that they understand the material and don't need the classroom activity, they can work through the Web site.

Requirements:

All students taking the course must have an e-mail address. As soon as you have an e-mail address send me an e-mail so I can put you into my system.

Students taking the course over the Web must communicate with me at least once a week via e-mail just to let me know they are still there!

For everyone in the class: If you miss more than two classes in a row, please send me an e-mail letting me know that you to still exist!

For in class students and Web students, assignments should be turned in the same or following week. XHTML, HTML, CSS and JavaScript projects as well as other projects have a specified due date that should be met. I accept late papers with no individual penalty or point loss. The problem is that there is a lot of work and if you get behind you risk NOT completing the course. In addition, 10% of your grade is based on participation, quality of work, getting things in on time etc., so chronic lateness will affect your grade.

Students should send me assignments via email. If there is a problem, see me.

Students should pass in only one assignment per email. The class code (CIS122/44), your name and the assignment name should be on the subject line. If you have questions or need help, send a separate email with CIS122/44, your name and either the word question or help in the subject. I respond first to those emails and file the assignments (to be corrected when I have accumulated a group). On most assignments, if you get a bad grade you can either resubmit or do a make-up. If I have heavily corrected the assignment and the answers are there, needless to say you cannot resubmit. You should receive permission to resubmit an assignment! Make-up assignments will be posted upon request, if appropriate. Note that quizzes cannot be resubmitted.

Help:

If you need help, see me or e-mail me and we will figure out the best response. Better to see me as soon as you see signs of a problem! You can send me drafts of assignments with particular questions over e-mail and I will respond (if I feel it is appropriate) as soon as possible. With rare exception I check my Web site every day and on days when I am not at BCC, I usually check it multiple times (that means Wednesday and over the weekend). I am willing to set up review sessions or question and answer sessions for in class students, Web students or both.