Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Unit

Synopsis

This unit will develop the basic concepts of website authoring, from design to implementation. Students will develop skills in creating digital content which is authored to deal with the particular issues of web publishing. The unit will examine HTML/XHTML, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), the W3C Document Object Model (DOM) and JavaScript as the fundamental website authoring suite. In addition HTML embedded script languages, such as ColdFusion, will be used to create dynamic database driven content. The unit will also introduce wider W3C standards, web usability and web design specification.

Objectives

At the completion of this unit students will:

• understand the characteristics of commercial web sites and the authoring/management issues associated with them;
• have knowledge of the features and applicability of a range of software tools which are used in the development of websites;
• understand internet standards and protocols, in particular the impact of World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) standards in this area;
• have knowledge of a web based document as an instance of the W3C Document Object Model;
• have an understanding of website usability issues;
• know the role that products such as Macromedia Flash can play in web authoring;
• be aware of the copyright related issues as they apply to web authoring;
• appreciate the flexibility required in dealing with clients in a variety of situations encountered in the tendering/authoring process;
• demonstrate a critical attitude towards assessing the success of websites;
• demonstrate recognition of the strengths and weaknesses of information technology in the context of the development and use of web based multimedia systems.
• be able to create and manipulate digital content for websites, including basic audio and animation;
• have the ability to code web pages using standard HTML/XHTML, including tables and forms;
• be able to make use of Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) to add style to web documents;
• be able to use JavaScript to add interactivity to HTML pages;
• have the skills to access and manipulate DOM objects in a web document;
• be able to write HTML embedded script code (such as ColdFusion) to produce dynamic database driven web documents;
• have the skills to produce design specification documents applicable to a web site authoring task, and
• have developed the teamwork skills needed to work as a member of a project team.

Assessment

Examination (2 hours): 40%; In-semester assessment: 60%

Chief examiner(s)

Ms Kirsten Ellis

Contact hours

2 hrs lectures/wk, 2 hrs laboratories/wk

Prohibitions

CPE1003, MMS1402, MMS9401

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:

http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/units/fit1012/