Preparation

Students are responsible for reading and preparing all assigned class materials in accordance with the course calendar. Because the readings are aimed at developing practical skills with HTML/CSS and web page design, students are encouraged to try to execute instructions provided in the text prior to class meetings. Consequently, reading in this course does not consist in accessing and comprehending information but in learning how to apply concrete skills to specific web programming and design challenges.

Course Structure

This class is not a lecture-course. It is a practicum. Therefore, the responsibility for working through the material and structuring an effective learning environment falls to each member of the course.

Attendance

Because the environment of the course is interactive and collaborative, it is necessary that students attend and participate in every class meeting. Attendance is, therefore, mandatory. Students are permitted two (2) unexcused absences. After that, the final grade will be reduced by 20 points per additional absence. This guideline is not inflexible and is subject to change due to individual circumstances. This alteration, however, must be confirmed with the instructor. When possible, this should be accomplished before the additional absence(s). In the case of any absence, it is the student's responsibility to make-up the missed work by obtaining notes from classmates or reading the assigned material. The instructor will not provide individual instruction for students who have missed a regularly scheduled class meeting.

Student Assessment

Student learning and achievement is assessed and evaluated by four coding exercises and two web projects.

1. Exercises - As we progress through the web languages of HTML and CSS, student learning and proficiency will be evaluated and assessed with periodic take-home exercises. These coding exercises will challenge students to put into practice and demonstrate proficiency with the web programming concepts developed during classroom demonstrations. The exercises will be assigned at the end of the class period with the expectation that students will do the work outside class and turn it in at the beginning of the next class period. Students who miss an the assignment of an exercise due to an excused absence, will have one additional class period to make-up the missed opportunity.

 

2. Projects - Students will design and develop two web projects: a personal website and a web application to support e-commerce.

Grading

Student projects will be evaluated following a standard evaluation rubric. The rubric is divided into five categories: content, structure, design, HTML, and presentation. Because each project introduces new design challenges, HTML/CSS instructions, and interactive features, each project has its own evaluation rubric. Students are encouraged to use the evaluation rubric to guide their work and to check their designs prior to formal evaluation by the instructor.

Evaluation Distribution

Exercises = 100 points (4 x 25 points per exercise)

Project One = 100 points

Project Two = 100 points

Grade Scale

A = 280-300

A- = 270-279

B+ = 260-269

B = 250-259

B- = 240-249

C+ = 230-239

C = 210-229

D = 180-209

My Grades

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Policies

Academic Integrity - Good academic work must be based on honesty. The attempt of any student to present as his or her own work that which he or she has not produced is regarded by the faculty and administration as a serious offense. Students are considered to have cheated if they copy the work of another during an examination or turn in a paper or an assignment written, in whole or in part, by someone else. Students are responsible for plagiarism, intentional or not, if they copy material from books, magazines, or other sources without identifying and acknowledging those sources or if they paraphrase ideas from such sources without acknowledging them. Students responsible for, or assisting others in, either cheating or plagiarism on an assignment, quiz, or examination may receive a grade of F for the course involved and may be suspended or dismissed from the university.

Classroom Conduct - This course encourages students to form, express, and defend their own ideas. In order to ensure a fair and equitable environment for the open discussion of these ideas, students agree to be respectful and civil in their interactions with each other and with the instructor. Debate and criticism will be directed to ideas and the mode of their expression and not to the individual person who articulates it.

Accessibility - Northern Illinois University is committed to providing an accessible educational environment in collaboration with the Disability Resource Center (DRC). Any student requiring an academic accommodation due to a disability should let his or her faculty member know as soon as possible. Students who need academic accommodations based on the impact of a disability will be encouraged to contact the DRC if they have not done so already. The DRC is located on the 4th floor of the Health Services Building, and can be reached at 815-753-1303 or drc@niu.edu.

Terms & Conditions - The policies, procedures, and responsibilities articulated on this website are considered binding and in full force and effect for the entire academic semester during which a student is enrolled in the course. By registering for the course, students consent to these stipulations and affirm that they have read, understood, and agree to abide by everything contained herein. Only students who officially drop the course or withdraw from the university will be considered to be released of these responsibilities prior to the recording of final grades. Additionally, exceptions to and/or alterations in the policies, procedures, and responsibilities listed on this website will only be considered in situations of extreme hardship, documented learning disability, or medical emergency. In all cases, the instructor will be considered to be the final arbiter of any request for exception.