Lesson 1 - Course Introduction
all attend 1/18
homework due this week
WELCOME to CIS 58.54 & CIS 58.55. These courses have several unique elements; working with clients from the community, developing the Web site as a team, and meeting both online and in the classroom. I will address each of these issues in this lesson.
During the traditional classroom meetings we will discuss how the project is progressing and introduce the next development phase. Online weeks will be spent creating elements of the project, meeting with the client and working with your teammates.
Since a great deal of the communication will take place as email students are required to check their email daily during the week M-F. This course requires students to work independently, meet deadlines, and work effectively with others. If you are confused about an assignment or your role on the team please contact your instructor. The ideal student is one who is highly motivated, hard working, able to meet deadlines, communicates effectively, solves problems, and is flexible enough to change when needed.
Course Description
Both CIS 58.54 & CIS 58.55 are practical hands on courses where students create a complex Web site for a non-profit agency in the community. Topics include: planning and producing a Web site, creating a Web proposal, storyboard and timeline creation, workflow management, contracts, bidding, content development, communication strategies, effective teamwork, client relations, time-saving production techniques, site promotion strategies and Web site maintenance options. Students will work in teams of 2-5 to develop a Web site for a client to be provided by their instructor.
Our primary goals is to give you a chance to apply your Web design and programming skills to a "real life" situation.Not only will you expand your knowledge of HTML, Photoshop,Java, etc. you will have an opportunity to learn how you react within a group, deal with designing for a client, handle deadlines and adapt to change. Many students express an interest in Web development and wonder if it would be a viable career change for them. After taking this course - you will know a lot more about yourself and the industry so you can answer that question.
In speaking with employers they often state that the "soft skills" - communication, problem solving cooperation, reliability and ability to accept change, are more valuable then the technical skills such as HTML, Perl, JAVA, etc. So with a few technical skills in hand we approach this adventure and hope to all learn and grow.
One unique aspect of the course is that we meet both in the traditional classroom and online. To help you understand what is discussed each week, who attends, and what is due visit the schedule of class meetings page.
Another important element of the course is the class mailing list. When you complete the check in part 2 you are automatically the class mailing list. This is a valuable communication tool and support system, to post to the list send email to webproject@lists.sonic.net
As we begin this 18 week adventure I have created an overview of the Web Development cycle which should help you understand how the web site is created and what each person's role is . Please read over the Web Development cycle page.
Client Selection
Non-profit organizations in Sonoma County have been contacted as potential clients for the class. I have met with them and reviewed the requirements for participating in the program. Since we are providing them with a Web site at no cost, they need to provide us with their time, site content, feedback and encouragement.
There is a list of clients we will be working with this semester. Read through it and select your top 3 groups. When you fill out the check in part 2 form you will be choosing team roles and selecting clients you are willing to work with.
Team Roles
I have found it is best if the team members adopt roles and areas of responsibility. Groups that adopt the policy of "we will all work on everything together" are usually ineffective. Listed below are the typical group roles.
Project Manager (PM)- this person manages the workflow of the project. They make sure deadlines are met, the client is happy, and the team is communicating effectively. If organization and management is an area of interest then the PM role may be perfect for you. Projects Managers may also be asked to pitch in on HTML or graphics if someone on the team falls behind.This person should have successfully completed "Creating Web Pages" CIS58.51 A/B.
Designer (DES) - responsible for creating the look and feel of the site. They create the following images: navigation, backgrounds, logo, client photos, or stock art. The designer coordinates the color scheme, selects font,determines image placement, and has final review of al pages layout. This person should have successfully completed "Web Graphics" CIS 58.53 A/B.
Programmer (PRGM) - Creates Perl, Java or Javascript code for project. The programmer may be asked to create online forms which will send email, write to a web page or a web database. Programmers need to work in cooperation with the designer to insure their forms and output of their scripts matches the look of the site. They may also be asked to setup Paypal, a domain name or locate an ISP. This person should have successfully completed aWe programming class.
Content Developer (CD) - gathers the content for the site from the client, analyzes what content goes on each page, places the content into the site according to the designers template, adapts the client's content to fit within the designer's template, checks the pages for typos and grammatical errors, and loads the files onto the Web.
Content developers can also specialize in 2 additional areas as listed below:
Marketing - registers site with search engines, works with client to generate ideas for publicizing the site.
Training - loads the site onto the web, explains to the client what they have, and delivers any training the group has agreed to provide the client.
To Do List for the Week
- You need to complete the check in form for the class. This is a 2 part assignment which requires you to create a password and then introduce yourself to the class. Both of these online forms are found on the homework page.This assignment should be completed by 1/21.
I will assign teams on Sunday. - Once the teams are assigned the Project Manager will send a welcome message to all team members asking for contact information and schedules.
- Each team member should review the client information to better understand their client. If the client has a web site, visit it and review the content. Next visit the Introduction of Students. page, read about your new teammates, visit their web sites if they have included URLs in their introduction.
