Web Publishing for Beginners
This course covers the basics of creating web pages using HTML markup and CSS for style specifications. It also covers general information about purchasing a domain (optional), finding free or paid web space (optional), and uploading your files to a site using FTP software on multiple platforms (including OSX and Windows). By the end of the course, students should be capable of producing basic web pages with attractive layouts, able to post these pages and the accompanying style and image files online, and ready to move on to more advanced CSS, DHTML and JavaScript.
Web Programming with PHP and MySQL
So you've learned to design a reasonably attractive web page, and you know how to post your files on the web and attract some visitors. You may know some JavaScript and have the ability to make your web site somewhat interactive for your users. However, to truly develop a persistent web-based application that serves your visitors over longer periods of time between visits, you have to use some sort of server-side programming language in conjunction with a database. This course will introduce you to how to use PHP, one of the most widely-used and easy-to-learn programming languages on the web, and MySQL, a popular database system - both of which are widely available on free and cheap web hosting services - to develop web applications that can house centralized data and allow for long-term interaction between users and the system in the long run. The course will cover basic PHP syntax, including connecting to MySQL to make queries and use the results that are returned. It will also introduce students to basic SQL syntax for creating, changing and retrieving data in MySQL. By the end of the course, you will be able to produce a complete web application that stores information long-term and allows users to log in and see customized views.
Beginning JavaScript and DHTML
JavaScript is a browser-interpreted language that can be embedded in HTML or linked externally, and is used to provide additional in-screen interaction that might otherwise require a new page load. JavaScript can produce pop-up alerts and windows, change page content without refreshing the entier page, and pass data between the user and the central server using httpRequests (also known as 'Ajax'). This course will focus on the use of JavaScript to interact on basic levels by producing alerts, confirming decisions, prompting the user for information, and manipulating the Document Object Model (DOM) in order to change the content and style of a page. By the end of the course, users will be able to manipulate their page content and interact with the user on the front end, and should be prepared to move on to the next workshop to produce Ajax-driven web applications.
Ajax Application Development
Ajax (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML, though this definition is restrictive and outdated) refers to the use of httpRequests in JavaScript to make calls to pages in the same domain in order to communicate with the backend server and make appropriate changes to page content without requiring a new page load. JavaScript is used extensively online now, and classic examples include Google Maps (the page remains, but the map zooms and drags, and pins appear, disappear, and pop up info windows) and Facebook (the chat and wall streams, for example). In this course, you will learn to make httpRequest calls in order to send information to a central server, as well as collect the data that is returned and put it to use in a meaningful way using JavaScript. It is highly recommended that you are familiar with PHP before taking this course, although students with knowledge of other back-end programming languages may find that this is not necessary.
Structured Courses
$100-200 per Course
(Typically 10-20 Hours of Instruction)
Structured courses are limited to a maximum of 5 students per class, allowing for closer personal attention, and are available online or in person (when meeting space is available). Classes will be held as long as there are 2 or more students at a time. Otherwise, personal instruction is available at the normal private tutoring rate. Organizations wishing to arrange training for larger groups are welcome to inquire about reduced individual rates. Public Schools, Community Groups and Charitable Nonprofit organizations are encourage to inquire about discounted or free instruction opportunities.
Tutoring and Private Instruction
$40 per hour (Students w/ID: 50% off!)
Tutoring and instruction is available on a one-on-one basis for individuals at a variety of skill levels, ranging from beginning to intermediate. Whether you're just getting started in web design or interested in stepping into JavaScript and/or back-end programming, you may benefit from the personal attention and over-the-shoulder assistance that personal instructions affords.