FALL 2015 COURSE SYLLABUS

Instructor: Amanda (Mandy) Froelich

[email protected]

WHAT IS

Web Essentials?
Students become familiar with essential concepts used to employ critical thinking and basic
programming skills to create standards compliant web sites. Students also learn the importance
of usability, accessibility, and web standards when creating projects.

WHAT BOOK WILL I NEED?

You will need one book: Head First
HTML with CSS

ONLINE RESOURCES
Valencia Graphics: Website
PLEASE TELL ME...WHY

Do I need to check Atlas?

Students are required to check their Atlas email account on a regular basis for notices. To
effectively communicate with our students, Valencia uses e-mail as the primary means of
notifying students of important college business and information dealing with classes, registration,
deadlines, financial assistance, tuition and fees, etc.
Students are experiencing problems with receiving Atlas e-mail when their e-mail is forwarded to
other e-mail providers (such as AOL, earthlink, etc.). Some of these providers, with their new
improved Spam blockers, are blocking the Atlas e-mail from professors when they send
information to the whole class (often with attachments). As a result, students are missing
important e-mails from professors, financial aid, registration and the Business Office. Valencia
prefers that you not forward your Atlas e-mail to any other e-mail provider. But, if you feel that you
must forward your e-mail please notify your e-mail system's (AOL or other) anti-spam
configuration to allow e-mails from any valenciacollege.edu or mail.valenciacollege.edu domain.
Students are responsible for any official communication sent through Atlas e-mail.

WHAT IF I HAVE

Special needs?
Students with disabilities who qualify for academic accommodations must provide a notification
from the Office for Students with disabilities (OSD) and discuss specific needs with the instructor,
preferably during the first two weeks of class. The OSD determines accommodations based on
appropriate documentation of disabilities. At the time of notification accommodation
arrangements can be discussed.

WHAT ABOUT

Deadlines?
Just as in the workplace, due dates are considered deadlines. For that reason, no assignments,
assessments, discussions, exercises, or projects will be accepted late. You will receive a
zero for anything not submitted by the deadline. Failure to meet deadlines will affect your
performance in this course.

WHAT ABOUT

Participation?
Everyone is expected to participate in online discussions. Discussion assignments are to be

Valencia Graphics: Flickr

Valencia Graphics: Facebook
Valencia Graphics: Twitter
Valencia Graphics: Pinterest
Mandy's Design Pinboard
Mandy's Web Tools Pinboard

WHAT TYPE OF SUPPLIES

Will I need for this

course?
Some supplies are available at
Valencia Bookstores.
Access to a computer with high
speed internet access and current
internet browsers (firefox, safari,
internet explorer)
Access to a text editor (Notepad,
Text Wrangler, BBedit, etc). You may
NOT use Word! You will not be
permitted to use Dreamweaver
because you will be focusing
primarily on how to write html & css
over the course of the semester.
Access to a current version of
Photoshop
USB or Firewire device, 256mb
suggested, CDs or other disks for
backup
Required textbook: Head First HTML
& CSS

completed to help you expand your knowledge of assigned topics. This is a chance for you to not
only learn more, but to interact with your classmates and instructor. Your input is imperative in the
learning process. Participation in the course will be assessed based on your interaction online in
course discussions, logging in weekly, completing weekly discussions over the course of the
semester, completing all assignments by the set deadline, and using appropriate language when
communicating.
Per Valencia Policy 4-07 (Academic Progress, Course Attendance and Grades, and
Withdrawals), a student who withdraws from class before the withdrawal deadline of
NOVEMBER 13, 2015 will receive a grade of W. A student is not permitted to withdraw after the
withdrawal deadline. A faculty member MAY withdraw a student up to the beginning of the final
exam period for violation of the class attendance policy. A student who is withdrawn by faculty for
violation of the class attendance policy will receive a grade of W. Any student who withdraws or
is withdrawn from a class during a third or subsequent attempt in the same course will be
assigned a grade of F.

HOW MUCH TIME DO I HAVE TO

Devote to this course?

The College recommends that students spend 3 hours for each credit hour of the course to be
successful. Open Lab is here for your use so that you can avoid the problems of using
incompatible hardware or software at home. Make use of any time available to you here to work
on your projects. Open lab hours will be posted on each classroom door.
The lab is in constant use and computers are not infallible. Save early, save often and when disk
space allows save incrementally. Windows users especially should be aware that Windows will
sometimes corrupt files with erroneous information at the end of a file. This doesn't always affect
their usage on the PC they were created on but those files will be unopenable in this lab.

Pencils and paper (tracing or plain)

will be needed for notes, thumbnail
sketches and rough drafts.
Printing costs, if done on Valencia
East or West campuses (print cards
are usable on East or West campus
and prices are posted) You may print
at alternative locations of your
choice.
Your Brain

IMPORTANT DATES
DROP / REFUND DEADLINE:
Sep 8, 2015 by 11:59 PM
NO SHOW REPORTING:
Sep 9-18, 2015
WITHDRAWAL DEADLINE:
Nov 13, 2015 by 11:59 PM
COLLEGE CLOSURES
Labor Day:
Sep 7, 2015
Thanksgiving Break:
Nov 25-29, 2015

SO I HAVE TO ABIDE BY THE ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY,

What's that all about?

During the planning stage students are encouraged to interact, but all work should still be done
by the student turning in that project. You should not allow anyone to use your mouse or
keyboard to complete any part of a project. All work turned in under the name of each student is
expected to be that of the student turning it in. Printing without payment (in labs where required)
is considered cheating. Cheating of any sort will not be tolerated. If caught cheating, you risk
receiving a 0 (zero) for that project and the potential to be withdrawn from the class. Lab
personnel may assist you if you are having problems with the operation of the computer or to
answer questions concerning software applications, but they are not to do any part of your work
nor are they tutors. Plagiarism or Copyright Infringement is cheating (refer to your Student
Handbook)

HOW MUCH OF THE CODE

Can I really copy?

During this course you will be expected to create web pages using html & css you learn in this
course. You may have heard that many web designers "copy" or use existing codes available
through template or resource web sites. It is imperative that you understand that the work in this
course must be your own and utilizing code such as templates from outside resources is not
acceptable. You are however encouraged to reference and resources tutorials and other
resources on the web to develop a stronger understanding of the code used to built web pages. If
you are caught utilizing a preexisting template for a project you will receive a zero for the project
and risk being withdrawn from the course.

WHAT EXACTLY

Will we be doing in this class?

Readings & Assessments. You will be reading 1-2 chapters weekly and completing
assessments by the set deadlines. You will be expected to participate in the following
assessments:
Course Introduction Assessment
Reading Assessments (14 total)
Assignments. Assignments are created to give you hands on practice with material you will be
reading in the book.
Chapter 1 Assignment: Creating a web page
Chapter 2/3 Assignment: Using images, links, blockquote, and list
Chapter 4 Assignment: Getting connected & linking
Chapter 8 Assignment: Adding style to a web page
Chapter 9 Assignment: Adding more style: Fonts & colors
Overall Participation. To receive full credit for participation you must login weekly, participation
in any assigned discussions, complete all assignments by the set deadline, and use appropriate
language while communicating online.
Final Project. A final project will reinforce the skills you have learned all semester. The project
will involve creating a CSS positioned web site. The project will be assigned the first week of
class, however, it is not due until the FINAL class. Because there is no final exam for this
course you are required to turn in a Final Project by the deadline or you will receive an F
for the course.

HOW WILL I BE GRADED

In this course?
The final grade will be determined by grades earned on the above assignments. You will be
graded on a point system, where you are able to earn up to 1500 points total this semester.
A = 90-100
Exceptional achievement, demonstrated in work of keen understanding and
optimal mastery of course competencies. Earned for exemplary work, clearly
beyond the requirements. Great job, portfolio quality.
B = 80-89
High achievement, demonstrated in work of consistent effort, intelligence, and
mastery of course competencies.Good job, almost there.
C = 70-79
Satisfactory completion of course requirements and mastery of essential course
competencies. Okay, nothing special, just a number of many.
D = 60-69
Unsatisfactory completion of course requirements and an unacceptable grade for
prerequisite or graduation requirements.
F = 59 or less
Failure to perform required work or to master required course material and
competencies. Unspeakable work, consider another profession.

Assignment

Percent

Assessments (15 total)

15%

Assignments (5 total)

25%

Exercise 1- step by step

7.5%

Exercise 2 - problem solving

10%

Exercise 3 - step by step

7.5%

Exercise 4 - problem solving

10%

Final Project

25%

TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS

100

A grade of a C or better is required for graduation requirements students seeking an AS degree or using as a prerequisite for another course.
Final course grades of "A," "B," "C," "D," or "F" shall be assigned based upon the student's academic achievement upon the completion of all
course work, including the required final examination. A student who fails to take the required final examination may receive a final course grade
earned, unless the professor elects to assign the student a grade of "I" or as otherwise addressed in the Professor's course syllabus.

BAYCARE BEHAVIORAL HEALTHS STUDENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Valencia is committed to making sure all our students have a rewarding and successful college experience. To that purpose, Valencia students
can get immediate help that may assist them with psychological issues dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, adjustment difficulties,
substance abuse, time management as well as relationship problems dealing with school, home or work.
Students have 24-hour unlimited access to the Baycare Behavioral Healths confidential student assistance program phone counseling services
by calling (800) 878-5470. Three free confidential face-to-face counseling sessions are also available to students.

SUPPORT SERVICES (west campus)

Various tutoring services are available on West Campus in Bldg. 7-240 (extension 1633) (No Graphics tutoring currently)
Smarthinking online: on-demand student support site http://www.smarthinking.com
Valencia College offers a variety of SkillShops, short seminars covering a variety of topics which deal with student success, goals and purpose.
To check out Valencias Skillshop offerings, go to: http://valenciacollege.edu/studentservices/skillshops.cfm

FALL 2015 COURSE SCHEDULE

Instructor: Amanda (Mandy) Froelich
[email protected]

AUG 31 - SEP 8
Complete by SEP 8

Course introduction: Review course introduction module, participate in introduction

discussion, Complete assessment
Read Chapter 1
Complete Learning Module 1: Assessment, Assignment (Creating a web page)

Read Chapter 2
Complete Learning Module 2: Assessment

SEP 8 - SEP 15
Complete by SEP 15

SEP 15 - SEP 22

Read Chapter 3
Complete Learning Module 3: Assessment & Assignment (Using images, links,
blockquote, and list)

Complete by SEP 22

SEP 22 - SEP 29

Read Chapter 4
Complete Learning Module 4: Assessment & Assignment (getting connected &
linking)

Complete by SEP 29

SEP 29 - OCT 6
Complete by OCT 6

Read Chapter 5 & 6

Complete Learning Module 5: Assessment
Complete Learning Module 6: Assessment

OCT 6 - OCT 13
Complete by OCT 13

OCT 13 - OCT 20

Read Chapter 7 & 8

Complete Learning Module 7: Assessment
Complete Learning Module 8: Assessment & Assignment (Adding style to a web
page)

Read Chapter 9
Complete Learning Module 9: Assessment & Assignment (Adding more style: fonts
& colors)

Complete by OCT 20

8&9

OCT 20 - OCT 27

Read Chapter 10
Complete Learning Module 10: Assessment
Exercise 1: Creating a one column layout (step by step)

Complete by OCT 27

10

OCT 27 - NOV 3

Read Chapter 11
Complete Learning Module 11: Assessment
Exercise 2 - Creating a one column layout

Complete by NOV 3

11

NOV 3 - NOV 10

Read Chapter 12
Complete Learning Module 12: Assessment
Exercise 3: Creating a multicolumn layout (step by step)

Complete by NOV 10

12

NOV 10 - NOV 17
Complete by NOV 17

Read Chapter 13
Complete Learning Module 13: Assessment
Exercise 4: Creating a multicolumn layout

13

NOV 17 - NOV 24
Complete by NOV 24

14

NOV 24 - DEC 1
Complete by DEC 1

15

Assign/Review Final Project

Participate in Final Project web techniques discussion.
Read Chapter 14
Complete Learning Module 14: Assessment

Happy Thanksgiving!
Work on your final project
Post progress of final project to discussion boards for feedback: Sitemap, rough
drafts, initial ideas

FINAL PROJECT DUE. FAILURE TO TURN IN WILL RESULT IN AN FAILING

GRADE IN THIS COURSE.

DEC 1 - DEC 15
Complete by DEC 15

A grade of a C or better is required for graduation requirements students seeking an AS degree or using as a prerequisite for another course.
Your instructor reserves the right to make changes to the schedule, it is your responsibility to keep updated via course announcements in
regards to any potential changes that might arise.

HOWANONLINECOURSEIS

DOYOUHAVE

Differentfromafacetofacecourse

Questions?

Itcanfeeloverwhelmingespeciallyinthefirstweek.Youveprobablyforgottenhowillat
easeyoufeltwhenyoufirstwenttohighschool,buttakinganonlineclassforthefirsttimeisvery
similar.Ittakesawhiletolearnyourwayaroundthevirtualcampus.

Ifyouhaveageneralquestionpost
yourquestion(s)tothediscussion
thread.Oftentimesifyouhavea
question,manyotherswillhavethe
samequestion.Askingthisquestion
willhelpanswerthequestion(s)you
havefortheentireclass.Ifyou
happentoknowtheanswertoa
questionbeforeIrespondyou're
encouragedtorespond.

Onlinecoursestypicallyfitmoreeasilyintoyourschedule.However,sinceyouwilldoyour
workathome,itrequiresmoreselfdisciplineinsettingasidetimetostudyandparticipatein
thecourseslearningactivities.
Asinanycourseinwhichyouwanttodowell,thiscoursewilltakemoretimethanyou
expect.
Allremindersofwhenthingsaredueareelectronic.Ifyoudontaccessthecourseregularly,
youmaymisskeyassignmentsandduedates.
Inanonlinecourse,therearenotraditionallecturepresentationsofmaterial.Theresponsibility
forlearningrestsmuchmoreonthestudent.
Itworksbestwhenyouenjoyusingtechnologyandinteractingwithothersonline.

Contactmeviaemail.Ireturn
emailspromptlyusuallywithin24
hours.
Ifyouarehavingtechnicalproblems
withBlackboard,contact
BlackboardHelp at4075825600

WHATYOUWILLNEED

ToBeSuccessful
Accesstoacomputer(ahighspeedconnectionishighlyrecommended).
Basiccomputerskills,suchnavigationthecoursemanagementsystem.Thereisaslight
learningcurve,makesuretobudgetsometimeinthefirstweekofclass(ortheweekbefore
classesbegin)tofamiliarizeyourselfwiththeclassenvironmentandhowtonavigatearoundit.
Apreferenceforvisualorkinestheticlearning,becauseonlinelearningisveryvisualandvery
handsonthekeyboard.(Ifyoudontknowyourpreference,takethe onlineversionofthe
BarschInventory tofindout.)
Anopenmindedattitude,personalhonesty,andawillingnesstoshareyourknowledgeand
ideaswithothers.
Thebeliefthatonlinelearningismoreconvenient,butnoteasierthanfacetofacelearning.
Thebeliefthatqualitylearningcanhappenanytimeandanywhere.
Aninterestinselfreflection.

MYEXPECTATIONS

ofYou
Haveaccessto computerequipmentnecessary toruncoursedeliveryplatform.
Activeengagementinallcourseactivities,readingsanddiscussions.Youshouldloginatleast
fivetimesperweektoaccesscourseemail,viewannouncements,participateindiscussionsand
completerequiredactivities.
Completealllearningactivitiesontimeaccordingtothecourseschedule.
Becourteoustoallstudentsatalltimes.Observethe RulesofNetiquette .
ProvidefeedbackCompleteanonlineevaluationofthiscourseattheendofthesemester.

WHATYOUCANEXPECT

HOWWE

WillCommunicate
Syllabus
Announcements
Discussions
Email

FromMe
Promptresponsestoyourquestionsandemails,within24hoursMF.Iusuallycheckthecourse
onceadayonweekends.
Thoughtfuldiscussionfacilitation(Imaylimitmyinvolvementattimestoallowyourpeerstimeto
respond).
Promptactionontechnicalproblemswithinmycontrol,suchasbrokenlinks,filesize,discussion
settings,etc.
Assignments,assessmentsanddiscussionsgradesandfeedbackgenerallywithinoneweekof
theduedate

TIPSFOR

Success
PerformtheBrowserCheckontheBlackboardloginpageBEFOREbeginningcoursework.
Performingthistuneupensuresoptimalperformance.
Printacopyofthecoursesyllabusandschedule.Keepitbyyourcomputer.
Workofflineifyoupreferprintyourassignmentsandworkonthemoffline.Thenlogbackin
andinputyourresults.
Checkthecoursediscussionboardandemailregularly.
Ifyouhaveaquestion,postitonthecoursediscussionboard.
Setasidespecifictimeseachweektocompleteclassactivities.Ifnot,yourotherworkwill
expandtofillallthetimeyouhave.
Expectelectronicglitches/poweroutagesandplanahead.Dontwaituntilthelastminuteto
submityourwork.
Ifthecoursewebsitehasbeenworkingwellforyou,butbeginstoactup,contactthe Help
Desk immediately(4075825600)..
Isdistancelearningrightforyou? Readaboutqualitiesthatmakeupastrongonlinelearningexperience.

Instructor: Amanda (Mandy) Froelich

[email protected]

HOW SHOULD I CONTACT YOU

HOW FAST WILL YOU

If I have questions?

Respond to my
questions?

If your question is not personal in nature, please use the Ask the Instructor discussion board. This
will help me keep track of those important questions in one central place. All other personal
questions and communication should be sent via Valencia email (above).
You will be expected to post ALL general questions in this general discussion area. Blackboard
will be checked regularly, therefore, you as well as the entire class will receive a response in this
discussion area. Many times I have found that if one person has a question there are several
others that have the same question. If you email me general questions you will be instructed to
submit your question(s) in the discussion area.

You can expect your questions to be

addressed within 24 hours of the time
you've asked your question, during
regular business hours (Monday Friday).

WHEN TO

Contact the Instructor

Here are some great reasons you should contact the instructor directly:
If you have had an emergency arise that is affecting your performance
If you have questions about any assignments. If something is unclear ASK. However, be sure
you've read the instructions and assignment in it's entirety FIRST. Remember, general
questions should be posted in the general discussion area.
If you are having problems troubleshooting. Post questions in the discussion area for the
specific assignment. Be sure you have resourced to the best of your ability to solve the problem
first.
If you are having troubles accessing Blackboard. Any problems with Blackboard should be also
reported directly to Blackboard help staff.
If links in Blackboard don't work.
If there is a discrepancy or suspected typo with questions or assignment requirements. If you're
unsure - ASK!

Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mandybee

WHATDOINEEDTOKNOWABOUT

FILESIZE

Uploadingfiles?

Limits

YouwillbeexpectedtouploadfilesinBlackboardaspartofassignmentsthissemester.Itis
crucialthatyoumakeanoteofyourlimitationsaswellassomeresourcestohelpyouin
uploadingfiles.

Ithelpstoknowyourlimitations:

IfyouarenotfamiliarwithuploadingfilesinBlackboardyoushouldregisterfortheintroductory
Blackboardcourseorusethehelpmenu.However,itismuchlikeattachingfilesinanemail.

Youcanuploadupto2mbin
blackboardemail
Youhaveatotalof300mbof
storage
Youhaveamaximumfilesize
uploadof100mb.Thatmeansone
filecannotexceed100mb

ZIPPINGAND

Compressingfiles
It'scrucialthatyouunderstandhowtozipyourfiles.Zippingyourfilesenablesyoutocompress
yourfilessothatthefilesizeissomewhatsmaller.Additionally,zippingyourfileswillsave
multiplefilesinonefilesothatyoucanuploadthemtoassignmentsthissemester.Herearea
fewresourcestoassistyouincompressingyourfiles:
MacintoshUsers.Onamacit'sverysimple.Here'sanarticlethatdescribes howtozipafile
onamac .TheabilitytozipandunzipfilesisbuiltintoOSX.Ifyouhavealowerversion,most
macscomewiththeprogramstuffitthatcanexpandfiles.Tofindout,justdoubleclickonthe
zipfileandifit'sinstalleditwillexpandyourzipfilesothatyoucannowaccessthefilesyou
zipped.Ifyoudon'thaveitonyourcomputerthenyoucandownloada FREEtrialofstuffit .
PCUsers.WindowsXPWindows7makesitveryeasytozipfiles.Simplyplacethecursor
overthefolderyouwishtozipandclicktherightmousebutton.GotoSendTo,then
Compressed(Zipped)Folder.Here'sanarticlethatdescribes howtozipafileonaPCwith
WindowsXP+ .ForotherversionsofWindowsthatdonothavethebuiltinziputility,thereare
anumberoffreeutilitiessuchasPKZip( http://www.pkware.com/ )andWinZip
( http://www.winzip.com/ )thatwillzipfilesonaPC.

Pleasebecourteousofyourinstructorandotherstudent'stimeandoptimizeand
compressfilesasmuchaspossiblewithoutsacrificingthequality.Keepinmind
thatwewillhavetodownloadwhateveryoupost.Wedon'twanttowait
forlargefilesanymorethanyoudo.