Synopsis: This is an informal but nevertheless crucial course. It is the core of a learning club and mutual assistance group for Web design students who are close to graduation and need to brush up on the latest techniques. The learning goals of the class are never the same from semester to semester, but the methods are. Aesthetic and technical coaching will be shared in an open and constructive spirit.
Class Atmosphere : In this class we will try to maintain an open learning club environment. After introducing the topic of the day, you should feel free to ask questions. When we move on to the exercises for the day, please feel free to consult with other students.
Submitting Projects All assignments should be backed up and posted to your web pages
Attendance: Dont miss class if you want to understand this material. If you already understand the material and simply need to take the class, your participation in the "learning club" environment is helpful and can become part of your project extra credit work. Missing more than 20 % of classes will result in a grade reduction of one letter; missing more than 40% of the classes will result in a two letter grade reduction; and missing more than 60 % will result in a three letter grade reduction.
Assignments --Personal web / portfolio page - 25 % grade; Projects or businesses 75% of grade.
No exams. Details below.
Honor Code -- Adherence to the University Honor Code is expected. The RU code reads as follows: By accepting admission to Radford University, each student makes a commitment to understand, support and abide by the University Honor Code without compromise or exception. Violations of academic integrity will not be tolerated.
Disabilities -- If you are seeking classroom accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, you are required to register with the Disability Resource Office (DRO). The DRO is located in Room 32, Tyler Hall. Phone is 831-6350. To receive academic accommodations for this class, please obtain the proper DRO forms and meet with me at the beginning of the semester.
Other issues -- Please be sure to consult with the instructor about any problems you may have. Do not wait for the last minute
Assignment Notes
The grade is based on an individual plan agreed upon by both instructor and student during the first week of class. Generally speaking, students should plan to build their portfolios with elements of the following:
At least one active personal web page of relatively sophisticated design.
Your page must have more than just text and a few photos. It should have Flash animation and other capabilities, eg Layers manipulation
Must have aesthetic value and content integrity
Must involve good graphic, information and interactive design features
At least three projects:
External projects may be arranged by instructor or in consultation with instructor
Multi-page projects of some social value / non-profit public service is best
Appropriate levels of creative and aesthetic investments must be demonstated
Client must be satisfied concerning information dissemination needs
University service project arranged by instructor of in consultation with instructor
Multi-page project to help an RU department, center, student group or teaching effort
Individual pages may not count as university service, depending on the scope of the project
Critique of current curriculum, suggest ideal curriculum
What web designers dont need: ADA, C+, Java, Perl, CGI
Curricular comments:
ITEC 110, 120, 225 - pointless for web design; or at least start at ITEC 225
MSTD 226, 326, 427 -- too elementary; more depth needed
An Ideal curriculum should teach:
-- CSS / html and some Javascript
-- Search Engine Optimization
-- Security
-- W3C accessibility for disabled
-- Flash & Action Scripting (advanced)
-- Content Management Systems (CMS eg, joomla, Wordpress, Absolut, Expression Engine, Zen Cart
-- php and MySQL editing
-- Unix navigation, vim editing
-- Typography, graphics, design
