Course Description

If you are ready to build your own web site, then come join us for this beginners course as we put together the exciting puzzle of (X)HTML and CSS (Cascading Style Sheets). These lessons are aimed not only at absolute beginners, but also to those with prior web page coding experience. The Build Your Web Site series of courses is for anyone who wants to learn to write standards-compliant, valid XHTML from the bottom up. This online course will start off with the basic foundation of (X)HTML. You will learn to handwrite code and use online validators to find coding errors, learn how to correct those errors, use CSS to format text and add color, work with backgrounds, create links, and add images to your web page. Additional subject matter includes how to correctly develop, and use, a simple table, CSS classes, some special coding, and lots of other assorted goodies. Although not specifically pointed out in each instance, the coding taught in this class complies with Accessibility standards. Don't be intimidated if all this sounds too "high-tech" or complicated; it's not. The lessons, authored by the course instructor, lead you through a step-by-step process until, before you know it, you've completed the class and have a fully functional web site! The lessons have been tested in Windows, Mac, and Linux environments. This is a 6 week, self-paced, online course. If you need additional help understanding the material presented, you can communicate with the instructor and fellow classmates. The instructor will monitor and track your progress throughout the class. LVS Online offers many wonderful learning tools to help you get the most out of your online course, including an online portfolio service that manages all your course registrations, certificate of completion option, a class discussion board to interact with your instructor and fellow classmates, free hosting account, and a student upload area. LVS is a Corel Training Partner. LVS students may purchase Corel products at a significant savings. Follow this link for details. LVS students are also eligible take advantage of special offers made available by famous software developers such as Andromeda, AV Bros, Extensis, Harry Heim, namesuppressed, Nik Multimedia, and Ulead. Details are provided in the classinfo link found in the confirmation of registration. If you would like to receive more information regarding this course, click on the "Contact Us" link in the Information section and we'll try to answer any of your questions within the day.

Course Requirements

No special coding software is needed, or will be allowed. Windows Notepad, Mac SimpleText/TextEdit, and Linux vi are the only acceptable applications. Homework must be reviewed by the instructor in order to earn a certificate. Students must use the free hosting space on the LVS server for their assignments. No exceptions. Details will be found in the classroom. Students should have working knowledge of their operating system: Free Windows Class Here Directory Structure Tutorial Here Zip files may be necessary to complete the exercises provided each week. WinZip, PKZip, Windows Compression or similar program is required to unzip these files. Winzip Tutorial Here Windows Compression All lessons are available in PDF format. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view/print the lessons. Plan to devote 3 - 6 hours per week on the lesson and assignment.

Course Prerequisites

Class Level - Beginner None

Course Syllabus

Lesson 1 Directory setup Basic XHTML tags Form & function Validating XHTML Uploading to Web host Lesson 2 CSS color Background image Validating CSS Special formatting Hypertext links Lesson 3 CSS font properties CSS text properties Pseudo-class selectors Lesson 4 Images Classes Divs & spans Lesson 5 Margins & Padding Data table Lesson 6 Meta tags Web site directories Index page

Course Excerpt

LESSON 1 INTRODUCTION If you have not read the Classroom Page, please do so before proceeding. I would like to welcome you all to the introductory level of the Build Your Website series. Just because this is an entry level course doesn't preclude those who have had previous coding experience. Whether you know the difference between a formatting tag and a structural tag or I've just lost you completely is irrelevant to your ability to learn or apply proper XHTML/CSS. One thing I ask of you -- please do NOT work ahead. I will hold firm on this rule and I do so for several reasons. If you have experience with HTML, you will come to find that [X]HTML is just different enough that, if you don't follow along with the lessons, you may have unacceptable coding in your page. If you don't have previous coding experience, the lessons have been developed to guide you in a logical manner. Skipping ahead will be frustrating for you. How The Lessons Are Set Up The Lessons are available two ways: in HTML format, which displays in your browser, and in PDF, a downloadable file from which you can easily print the lesson. I would strongly advise you to print the lessons out. It's much easier to work when you have the learning tool in front of you. Each lesson is divided into Parts, logical divisions within the lesson topic. Please complete each Part in the order it is presented. Do not, however, post your work for each Part. You will be given an assignment at the end of the lesson -- that is what you will upload for review. As you've already noticed, there are comments in the left margin. This is done to draw your attention to a concept, a warning, a helpful hint, or something that will be of value to you. It also makes it easier for you to scan a lesson when trying to remember something critical. Please don't read JUST the comments in the margin. You will miss the full intent of the section. They are meant to be a quick reference guide for you. These lessons, and perhaps responses on the board, will contain words and phrases that are unfamiliar to you. To help you along, I've included a Glossary of terms. I'm not promising it will be all-inclusive but it should give you most of the terms we'll be using. Continued. . . Please note: Lessons provide step-by-step instructions with detailed screen captures.

Course Goals

At the end of this course you will have the knowledge and skills to create a simple web site; it will be valid, display as intended in current browsers, and contain links and images. You will know how to format heading and paragraph content to display in different fonts, sizes, weights, and colors. Even those individuals with previous coding experience have learned something new along the way.

Course Reviews

Linda Borders: (Liked Best:) “It’s impossible to name one thing that I liked best about this class. The large amount of material covered was presented in an easy to understand and professionally written style. The instructor, Deb H, is the best! She was always available to help in any way she was needed. She gave such detailed feedback on your lesson that you knew she had thoroughly reviewed it. This class was more than worth the cost and I've recommended it to several people.” More...