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Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title Designing Websites
Module Code CM143
School School of Communications
Online Module Resources

Module TeacherDeclan Tuite
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 10
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None
Description
This module will develop a student centred approach to the technical knowledge and control of publishing to an online medium. This module will focus on end-user consideration and adding functionality to live web sites.Special attention will be paid to core and common objects and functions that will allow scalability & re-use. Site maintenance and structure will be focused on and methods introduced to allow students to develop sites of a standard that can be published successfully and reliably to multiple browsers and platforms. The web as medium will be addressed, including concepts of working within an online environment, open source access to information, sharing of resources and utilising online and printed source material. All work produced by students will be presented and maintained as live sites, which will be both viewable and accessible by the public. The module will concentrate on the delivering online media to browsers and not the software used.

Learning Outcomes
1. Describe the architecture of a site.
2. Identify key concepts for syntax and semantics of a mix of contemporary languages ( HTML/CSS/XML/XHTML)
3. Plan and site for a profiled audience.
4. Choose the most appropriate technologies to produce a a site based on used considerations.
5. Develop a site that can be published successfully and reliably.
6. Code a site that works in multiple browsers and adheres to accessibility standards.
7. Develop and deliver a client focuses pitch.
8. Scope and scale a multimedia project regarding personnel, skills needed and time available.



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture12Lectures Theory / case study based
Lecturer-supervised learning (contact)24LabLab session practice based, feedback and problem solving exercises
Independent learning time68Independent learning time
Directed learning25Weekly class challange, problem solving exercises
Assignment40Assignment one - static web site with original content
Assignment46Assignment two- dynamic web site with original content
Assignment35Presentation/ Pitch preparation and site surveys
Total Workload: 250

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities
Understanding Page Structure.
Basic HTML, How Links work, Elements of a page including space, text + fonts, forms, the browser - browser differences.

Page Layout and Formatting.
Structuring a page, styling a page, implementing CSS, colour on the web, using the CSS box model.

User Considerations.
Designing for a targeted audience, Accessibility, WAI standards, dealing with multiple platforms, Planning Nagivation.

SIte Management:.
Planning a site for scalability and usability, Site architecture, File Management, SEO- Search Engine Optimisation.

Delivering on multiple devices.
Planning for mobile, print and handheld devices, Designing for multiple resolution, responsive design.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Digital productionCharacter Site - Portfolio Site40%Week 7
Group presentationGroup pitch for final website project10%Week 7
Digital productionlifestyle or topical interests web site50%Week 12
Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
1 = A resit is available for all components of the module
2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module
3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1
Indicative Reading List
  • Duckett, John: 2011, HTML & CSS: Design and Build Web Sites, John Wiley & Sons,
  • Norman, Ben: 2007, Getting noticed on Google in easy steps: invaluable tips to increase your Website ranking on Google, In Easy Steps, Southam,
  • Krug, Steve: 2005, Don't Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability, 2nd, New Riders Press,
  • Garrett, Jesse James: 2002, The Elements of User Experience: UserCentered Design for the Web, New Riders Press,
  • Castro, Elizabeth: 2006, HTML for WWW with XHTML and CSS, 6th,
  • Crawford Teague, Jason: 2003, DHTML and CSS of WWW, 2nd ed,
  • Cooper, Alan: 2005, The inmates are running the asylum,
  • Robert Bringhurst: 2002, The Elements of Typographic Style, Hartley & Marks Publishers,
Other Resources
3604, WebSite, wired.com, 2009, webmonkey, http://webmonkey.wired.com/webmonkey/, 3605, WebSite, webdeveloper.com, 2009, webdeveloper, http://www.webdeveloper.com, 3606, WebSite, htmlhelp, 2009, reference:css, http://www.htmlhelp.com/reference/css/, 3607, WebSite, www.w3.org, 2009, Styles, http://www.w3.org/Style/, 3608, WebSite, zengarden, 2009, CSS, http://www.csszengarden.com/,
Array
Programme or List of Programmes
MMABSc in Multimedia
Timetable this semester: Timetable for CM143
Date of Last Revision16-OCT-06
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