Web Design and Visual Communications ITS2650:90808 (3 credits)

Prerequisite: ITS 1200 The Internet and Web Application Essentials

October 27, 2011 December 19, 2011 The College of Southern Maryland, Division of Business & Technology, Technical and Industrial Studies Meeting Times: Web Based Instructor: Maria Strong Work Telephone: (301) 643-1822 Email: marias@csmd.edu Office Hours: Online (by appointment only); Face-to-face (by appointment, Waldorf campus) Note: All emails and course work must be sent using the BB9 course mail (not the office Email address above). Biography Hello everyone! I have been teaching at the College of Southern Maryland for 7 years. In addition to my teaching responsibilities, I am full-time web developer and social media consultant. Required Texts: Lynch, Patrick, Horton, Sarah "Web Style Guide" 2nd Edition Yale University Press, New Haven and London ISBN 9-780300-088984 Online copy - FREE, links within modules 1, 2 and 3

Terms of Audit, Withdrawal, and /or Incomplete The last day to change from credit to audit or audit to credit is December 5, 2011. In order to change from audit to credit, you must have completed all the assignments of the class up until that time. The last day to withdraw from the class without a grade is December 5, 2011. In completes will only be given if all assignments are completed and a student has a personal emergency that occurs after December 5, 2011. The last day of class is December 19, 2011. COURSE DESCRIPTION: Students are introduced to methodologies that enable them to develop effective we sites. Topics include site structure development and design, web page design content design, usability testing, accessibility for user with disabilities, e-business and designing for the wireless Internet.
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GENERAL EDUCATION GOALS ACHIEVED: Upon completion of the course, the students will have achieved the following General Education goals established by the College of Southern Maryland: synthesize information and concepts gained from reading (GE #9). describe the functions and applications of a computer system (GE #20). identify the major hardware components of a computer system (GE #21). use microcomputer software programs (GE #22). engage in constructive debate (GE #51). draw reasonable conclusions from information found in various sources (GE #54). be familiar with how technology and human activities shape society and the environment (GE #71). adapt to a variety of methods of instruction. interpret graphs, tables, and charts. identify, define, evaluate, and solve problems.

ACADEMIC HONESTY: Each student is expected to perform his/her own academic work. Plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty are considered extremely serious offenses. The student is personally responsible for understanding the various forms of academic dishonesty as they are explained in the "Student Code of Conduct" in the Student Handbook. Ignorance of any requirement for academic honesty will not constitute an excuse from disciplinary proceedings. Any form of cheating will be considered grounds for failure of the course.

Module 1-4 Course Objectives: List the five things/points you can do to assure users see and understand your web site. Explain why users do not look for the best choices when they scan web pages. List and describe the three purposes of web navigation.
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List and explain the basic web navigation conventions. Describe what a typical homepage needs to have. List the factors involved in a usability test and describe the testing process. Create a Facebook profile and join the ITS 2650 group. List and describe the 6 steps involved in the site development process. List the five essential components that must be included on every web page. Describe the factors influencing basic interface and navigation of web pages. Construct a journal to outline the best practices in web site design and visual communications. Review and evaluate classmates thoughts on Website Design and Visual Communications. SOFTWARE PIRACY: Software that is copyrighted is intended for use in its original form. Duplicate copies can be produced only if written permission is granted by the manufacturer. The U.S. law states that noncompliance may result in civil damages not exceeding $50,000 and criminal penalties of up to 1 year and/or a $10,000 fine. It should be noted that minors are not exempt. COURSE ORGANIZATION: This course is presented in a web format. However, we have established Due Dates for the completion of assignments. The student is responsible for meeting these dates. COURSE FOCUS AND EXPECTATIONS: This course is designed to introduce students to methodologies that enable them to develop effective we sites. The WEB environment of this course was formatted to maximize the introduction of web design topics. Students will be given the opportunity throughout the course to learn web design principles by completing uncomplicated exercises. This course advocates the use of sound web design principles as tools for producing web pages and sites. It is imperative that students understand the issues; the effects the issues have on the profession, as well as formulating a personal response to the issues. STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES: The retention and comprehension level of the material covered in this course depends on the degree of the student's commitment to learning. The instructor hopes that the student in this class will be challenged and encouraged to accept learning responsibilities. The student is
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responsible for meeting all due dates for assignments and enrollment status as stated in this syllabus. CLASS FORMAT (WEB INSTRUCTION): Please Note that e-mails will be answered within 48 hours and grades for assignments will be posted 24 hours after their due date. The course is divided into 4 Learning Modules: Module 1: Introduction to Web Usability: (For each lesson, the student should complete each of the Web lesson activities and assignments as outlined in the course.) Read: - Lynch, Patrick, Horton, Sarah "Web Style Guide," Chapters 1 and 2 - Usability Testing (link within module 1)

Planning Web Content Management Site Development Process Accessibility Universal Design Side Bar Design Process Usability Testing

Module 2: The Site Design Process: (For each lesson, the student should complete each of the Web lesson activities and assignments as outlined in the course.) Read: Lynch, Patrick, Horton, Sarah "Web Style Guide," Chapters 3, 6 and 9

Information Architecture Organizing Information Site Structure Site Diagrams Site Design Content Area Page Templates Online Styles
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Links

Module 3: Design Theory: (For each lesson, the student should complete each of the Web lesson activities and assignments as outlined in the course.) Read: Lynch, Patrick, Horton, Sarah "Web Style Guide," Chapters4, 5, 7, 8, 11 and 12

Information Design Navigation Design Guidelines File Structure Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Visual Design Design Grids Typefaces Emphasis Web Graphics File Formats Multimedia Strategies

Module 4: ADA Compliance Issues: (For each lesson, the student should complete each of the Web lesson activities and assignments as outlined in the course.) Read: Introduction to web accessibility (www.webaim.org) Technical specifications WAI guidelines Evaluation tools Assistive technologies Required Course Completion: Module 1: 10/27/11 - 11/06/11 Module 2: 11/07/11 - 11/18/11 Module 3: 11/19/11 - 12/02/11 Module 4: 12/03/11 - 12/16/11

GRADING FORMULA:
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The final grade for this course will be calculated given the following: Dos and Donts for Websites Journal Facebook Webquest Most Important Reflection The Site Design Process Journal Design Process Reflection The Design Theory Process Journal Design Theory Reflection ADA Compliance Issues Journal ADA Compliance Issues Reflection 30 points 20 points 50 points 50 points 50 points 50 points 50 points 50 points 50 points

GRADING RUBRIC: For Reflections and Journal Assignments

Reflections

Effective 40-45 points

Somewhat Effective

Ineffective 34 points or below Students work provides insufficient information to determine any level of mastery of the associated learner outcome(s), addresses few aspects of the assignment (off topic or did not cover all parts of the assignment)

35-39 points Students work Student's work provides provides some sufficient information to information to determine partial determine mastery of the mastery of the associated associated learner learner outcome(s), outcome(s), addresses some clearly addresses aspects of the all aspects of the assignment assignment

Participation in Module
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Discussions

Effective 4-5 points Student responded to a minimum of two other students posting with comments that added significantly to the academic content of the discussion.

Somewhat Effective 2-3 points Student responded to one or two other students postings with comments that added somewhat to the academic content of the discussion.

Ineffective 0-1 point Student did not respond to other students' or responses were non-academic, vague, or general.

Journal Assignments

Effective 45-50 points Students work provides sufficient information to determine mastery of the associated learner outcome(s), clearly addresses all aspects of the assignment

Somewhat Effective 39-44 points Student's work provides some information to determine partial mastery of the associated learner outcome(s), addresses some aspects of the assignment

Ineffective 38 points or below Students work provides insufficient information to determine any level of mastery of the associated learner outcome(s), addresses few aspects of the assignment (off topic or did not cover all parts of the assignment)

FINAL GRADE SCALE:

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400 - 360 359 - 320 319 - 280 279 - 240 239 - 0

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A B C D F

TESTING CENTER HOURS: There are no Exams that require the testing center for this course.

TERMS OF AUDIT: The last day to change from credit to audit or audit to credit is November 13, 2009 in order to change from audit to credit; you must have completed and submitted all the assignments of the class up until that time. If you are auditing the course or change to an audit it is expected that you will complete all assignments and submit them as required WITHDRAWAL DATE FOR COURSE: The last day to withdraw from the class without a grade is December 5, 2011. Students who need extra course time due to exceptional circumstances may seek an INCOMPLETE grade any time prior to the end of the course. The student is responsible for submitting the necessary forms. UNAUTHORIZED PERSONS IN CLASSROOM: Only students registered for this class may attend. Any person not registered for this class is considered an "unauthorized person" and will not be allowed to attend this class. See the Student Handbook for further details. LEARNINGASSISTANCE CENTER(LAC): The LAC provides various services such as Tutoring, Writing Lab, Reading Lab and a Media Lab. Please call 934-2251/870-3008, extension 7611 for more information.