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Lesson 1 > Begin

Welcome to CS 50.21A, Web Design with CSS and Graphics. This course will be taught entirely online. You will read the Lecture notes from the class DVD, visit this class Web site where there is a description of the homework, class resources, and an overview page for each lesson. You can also dialogue with your fellow students at the Class Message List and ask your instructor a question using their email lhemenway@santarosa.edu. Once you have completed the work for each lesson you will turn in your homework online.

The advantage of an online course is the flexibility of your study schedule. Online courses require self discipline and an independent spirit. If you run into trouble and would like one on one attention, you can come to the lab during my lab hours, visit me during office hours, or send me your phone # and good times to call so we can talk over your questions. Expect to dedicate about 3-5 hours a week to this class. Please be careful not to fall behind in this class as it is hard to catch up. Here are some pages you will want to read to insure you are prepared for an online format.

What can you expect from this class

Students may find it useful to take this Self Assessment Quiz to determine if they have the skills to succeed in an online course.

Another useful tool is the Web page What you need, and what you need to know, to take an online course at SRJC I encourage you to read this Web page before you begin the class.

This week we concentrate on getting everyone checked into the class site, make sure we have the software we need, and practice putting up your "homework page". I will create a list of everyones homework page and we can visit it each week to see how everyone is doing.

Learning Objectives

  1. Review of FTP process
    The "begin" lesson of the DVD reviews the process for obtaining and using an account on "student".
  2. Establish a Homework page

    An example of how your homework page should look is found here. None of the links will be active, but the page should be on the student server and your name should be on the page. Please name the file "homework.html" and place it in a folder named "webdesign."

  3. Install and use firefox Web Developers Toolbar
    Install this "add on" to the Firefox Web Browser and then use it to analyze 1-2 web sites. We will be using this tool throughout the semester, it is wonderful.

Required Reading:

  • Read the Begin lesson of the class DVD
  • Read Chapter 1-3 in the textbook