Post by Brett Ludwick on May 12, 2015 9:07:20 GMT -8
1. Starting Point
How much did you know about Web design, HTML and CSS Layout when you started?
I had taken the core classes (Web design I, HTML5-CSS3, Web graphics, Multimedia and the Web) so I had the basics down.
2. Ending Point
How comfortable are you with Web Design, HTML and CSS Layout now?
I feel much more comfortable now sitting down and replicating a design mock-up, however I don't think I'm prepared enough to enter the web design field - there is so much more to learn that companies expect you to know (Javascript, MySQL, PHP, CMS such as Wordpress, social media, SEO, etc.) On to Javascript this summer!
3. Class Materials
How do you feel about the books and videos that we used in class? Was it helpful for you? Do you have any suggestions for other methods or materials - or a wish list of what you would like to have seen?
I liked the online book on HTML5 and the videos were very helpful. The book "Don't Make Me Think" is an excellent resource, but might be better suited for another class. I was too wrapped up in coding the styles, and figuring all that out versus whether my page or site was usable or not.
4. Something That Was the Hardest for You
What part of taking this class was the most difficult for you?
I think the hardest part was the nesting of containers within other containers in the context of layout, but I have a good handle on that now with the Final Site Project had. Also, contextual selectors (section #main a {......) were challenging at times, but I feel much better about them now as well. Centering images, multiple containers, etc. are still challenging for me.
5. Something That Was the Easiest
What part of taking this class was the easiest for you?
Since taking some of the core classes, the basic coding, image optimization in Photoshop and Fireworks was easiest for me.
6. Support
Do you have suggestions for ways that I can support students more fully - especially in what you think are the most difficult parts of the class.
Maybe for each unit, provide a basic practice assignment of objectives you want students to learn. The basic code is provided and the students finish it where everyone's page is styled and looks the same (show an image of what it should look like). Then, have students create their own page very much the way we did. Kind of a “Learn it, practice it together, then apply it” approach. Practicing and following along with the videos I think is good, but to do it right it’s extremely time consuming.
7. One Thing You Have Learned
If you had to pick one thing, what would you say is the most important thing you've learned this semester?
I would have to say the correct preparation of images for your desired layout is the most important. It's so important to know your layout first and know exactly what you will do with your images (particularly background images) before sizing, optimizing, saving them in your images folder, and finally applying them.
8. Anything Else
What else would you like to say?
I really enjoyed the class and certainly learned a lot. I ran into quite a few problems that took a very long time to work through and I passed up asking my questions on the discussion board because of time contraints. I think it would have been beneficial for everyone if we could have had a separate "Questions" area on the discussion board that was checked more frequently.
I also would make the HTML5/CSS3 (CSWB 110) class a prerequisite or at least highly recommended - I know most struggled with the coding part and this class was very code heavy.
Thank you for all your help!
Good luck to all!
How much did you know about Web design, HTML and CSS Layout when you started?
I had taken the core classes (Web design I, HTML5-CSS3, Web graphics, Multimedia and the Web) so I had the basics down.
2. Ending Point
How comfortable are you with Web Design, HTML and CSS Layout now?
I feel much more comfortable now sitting down and replicating a design mock-up, however I don't think I'm prepared enough to enter the web design field - there is so much more to learn that companies expect you to know (Javascript, MySQL, PHP, CMS such as Wordpress, social media, SEO, etc.) On to Javascript this summer!
3. Class Materials
How do you feel about the books and videos that we used in class? Was it helpful for you? Do you have any suggestions for other methods or materials - or a wish list of what you would like to have seen?
I liked the online book on HTML5 and the videos were very helpful. The book "Don't Make Me Think" is an excellent resource, but might be better suited for another class. I was too wrapped up in coding the styles, and figuring all that out versus whether my page or site was usable or not.
4. Something That Was the Hardest for You
What part of taking this class was the most difficult for you?
I think the hardest part was the nesting of containers within other containers in the context of layout, but I have a good handle on that now with the Final Site Project had. Also, contextual selectors (section #main a {......) were challenging at times, but I feel much better about them now as well. Centering images, multiple containers, etc. are still challenging for me.
5. Something That Was the Easiest
What part of taking this class was the easiest for you?
Since taking some of the core classes, the basic coding, image optimization in Photoshop and Fireworks was easiest for me.
6. Support
Do you have suggestions for ways that I can support students more fully - especially in what you think are the most difficult parts of the class.
Maybe for each unit, provide a basic practice assignment of objectives you want students to learn. The basic code is provided and the students finish it where everyone's page is styled and looks the same (show an image of what it should look like). Then, have students create their own page very much the way we did. Kind of a “Learn it, practice it together, then apply it” approach. Practicing and following along with the videos I think is good, but to do it right it’s extremely time consuming.
7. One Thing You Have Learned
If you had to pick one thing, what would you say is the most important thing you've learned this semester?
I would have to say the correct preparation of images for your desired layout is the most important. It's so important to know your layout first and know exactly what you will do with your images (particularly background images) before sizing, optimizing, saving them in your images folder, and finally applying them.
8. Anything Else
What else would you like to say?
I really enjoyed the class and certainly learned a lot. I ran into quite a few problems that took a very long time to work through and I passed up asking my questions on the discussion board because of time contraints. I think it would have been beneficial for everyone if we could have had a separate "Questions" area on the discussion board that was checked more frequently.
I also would make the HTML5/CSS3 (CSWB 110) class a prerequisite or at least highly recommended - I know most struggled with the coding part and this class was very code heavy.
Thank you for all your help!
Good luck to all!