Session07:Getting on with XML

This is where you feedback about activity 2

The activity instructions are:

• work through the Netskills workbook "Introducing XML";
• at the end of the taught session comment on this post to say where you are in the workbook and ask any questions you might have about using it;
• after the taught session continue until you have finished the workbook;
• comment on this post post to say when you have finished the workbook and ask any further questions you might have about using it;

Session 07:Making CSS Lists

This is where you feedback about Activity 1

The activity instructions are:

• Go to Lisatamatics web site;
• Take a look at the lists that are shown there and choose one that interests you;
• Make that list work on your own web page by putting the CSS in the header
  [Take a look at the activity resources for an example of this];
• Modify the CSS and while doing so annotate it with comments to explain how it works
  [Here you might have to modify the CSS to get the same result as on the web site or if it works straight away make some modifications of your own and explain them];
• Post your page into your WebCT presentation area and modify your home page to link to it.

When you have done the above then:

• Comment on this post  to say what you have done and how you have done it
• include a URL to your web page;

Preparing for your assignment

Please comment on this post by giving the following information about your assignment for this module:

• the three “audiences” you are going to have for your web site;
• the characteristics of these audiences that will affect the design of your site;
• an of outline the three different designs that you will need;
• an explanation of why they must be designed that way;

These need only be rough ideas at this stage but I need the information so that I can judge that your ideas have the potential to achieve at least a pass grade in the assignment.

How is it going so far

If you have not commented on a previous similar post please comment on this post by telling me something about what you have learnt so far on the module.

You might do this by telling me:

• up to three things that you have learnt so far;
• any topics that are still a bit unclear for you on which you might want to do some more work;

Your may add your name to your comment or not as you like, but if you want me to get back to you for individual help I will need your name.

Session 05 Activity 02

You are asked to design a home page for your site using CSS columns to define the layout.

• rough out a design using a storyboard;
• work out the CSS for your columns;
• write the html and the CSS and put them together;
• publish your home page in the presentation area of WebCT for others to see and explain how you produced your design;
• report by commenting on this post describing and discussing your pages(s);
• add a link to the examples in the presentation area;

Session 05 Activity 01

Take another look at the notes on the web about types of positioning using CSS.

Try out these methods for yourself by:

• making sure that you know how to code them and can produce your own pages using them;
• adapting the code to do something else;

Investigate column layouts for yourself by:

• making sure that you know how to code them and can produce your own pages using them;
• adapting the code to do something else;
• trying new code such as three columns with a banner at the top;

Put your examples into the presentation area of WebCT and link to them from your top page.

Report by commenting on this post, describing what adaptations you have made and how you might use CSS positioning, including use of columns, in your own work.

Add a link to your examples in the presentation area.

Building a usable/accessible web site

For the second  activity in session 04 you will be building a simple web site with due regard for usability and accessibility.

To help with this you will use some of the ideas you have learnt about styling with CSS.

You should cover the following steps:

• using tables for layout build a template for your main page;
• add in appropriate navigation and other areas;
• using CSS style your home page appropriately;
• publish your page with an explanation of how you have styled it and why you have chosen that particular design;
• publish your explanation as a comment on this blog post making a link to your page;
• add at least one more page to your site taking due regard for consistency of design and locating the user within the site;

How is it going so far?

Please comment on this post by telling me something about what you have learnt so far on the module.

You might do this by telling me:

• three things that you have learnt so far;
• any topics that are still a bit unclear for you on which you might want to do some more work;

Your may add your name to your comment or not as you like, but if you want me to get back to you for individual help I will need your name.

Checking for usability or accessibility

Now you have developed some ideas what makes a usable or accessible web site you can check some sites against these criteria.

To do so you should:

• choose a web site to check for usability or accessibility
• check it and put together a statement to say how usable and/or accessible it is and why you think so;
• publish this information by commenting on this post and giving the URL of the site together with your statement;

Finding out about usability or accessibility

In the first activity for session 04 you are going to locate information about accessibility and usability and then check some web sites to see how accessible and usable they are.

To do this you should:

• using a search engine of your choice locate information about usability or accessibility [or if you find difficulty use the resources given];
• decide what are the important aspects of usability or accessibility that each site has to say and make some notes about them;
• publish your notes by commenting on this post and give the URL of the site from which you have obtained the information;