You may take this class totally online!!!
No classroom attendance required.
Class Dates: Oct. 14th - Dec. 17th, 2014
General Information
This will be an 8-week, 2-unit class beginning in October, 2014. It will be all online, though I plan to have some on-campus help sessions for those who would like to come. They will be totally optional.
About WordPress
WordPress has taken the Web by storm. It's an amazingly versatile and efficient way for many people to have their own Web sites. People who don't know anything about Web Design can learn to use the admin area to add content to their sites and to keep the site updated. Often, Web professionals are called upon to setup the site initially, and add the functionality that a particular client needs. A professional can also adjust the design of the site to sute the client's needs. After that, the client is able to take over the maintanence of the site, something that many clients want to do. Learning to use WordPress is a valuable skill for both non-professional and professional Web developers.
Course Description and Objectives
GCMW 115 is a beginning level WordPress class without prerequisites. By the end of the class, you will have your own WordPress site up and running. You'll know how to customize the look, how to add functionality with plug-ins, how to add content to the side columns, and how to add pages both for blogging and for site content. We'll set up menus and add media, as well. We'll also discuss how to optimize your site for search engines and how to control comments left by your users. You'll be able to use Word Press to create a regular, informational Web site, or to create more of a blog site. There are many possibilities with this versatile program.
Prerequisite Skills:
This is a beginning class in Web page design. No previous experience is expected. However, to be successful in this class, you will need to be familiar with the Internet. You will need to have had experience in using a computer to perform basic tasks. Most of all, you will need good computer file management skills. This means that you understand how to set up folders, how to save files within those folders, and how to find, rename, move and copy files to new locations. Learn to do this before attempting this class, because Web design involves a substantial amount of file management.
Required Textbook
You will not have to purchase a book for this class. The textbooks that we will use will be available for you to use free of charge from the Web.
Software Requirements
- A Browser with Internet Connection
- FTP software - optional. FTP software allows you to upload files from your computer to a Web server on the Internet. This is not required for every configuration of WordPress, but you may find that you'll want to have it. We'll discuss this in class. Dreamweaver is excellent because it allows you to both edit and upload files. However, there are free FTP programs that you can download and use if you like. A free 30-day trial of Dreamweaver is available.
- Image Editing Program - optional. Fireworks and Photoshop are both great and you can download a free 30-day trial to use during class. You won't need this unless you would like to edit images for your site and upload them. You may want to reduce the sizes of content photos or create your how banner image. Photoshop or Fireworks would be excellent for this, but there are many other photo editing programs that would work, as well.
Web Hosting and Domain Name
You will need to provide your own Web hosting for the class. It can be obtained for about $6 or less per month. Figure on paying for 2 months of hosting. You should not get this ahead of time. We'll be discussing desirable Web hosts in class. It's best if you wait to choose a hosting service until after you know exactly what technologies your Web host needs to support.
The domain name is what your visitors will type into their browsers to reach your site. You'll probably be able to set up a domain name with your Web host when you set up your hosting. You can wait until class starts and get your domain name when you obtain your hosting.
Waiting List
If you are on the waiting list, or would like to be on the waiting list, you should email the teacher so that she can contact you if there are openings. If you don't send an email, we will have no way of contacting you. The teacher's email address is: jfontanella@palomar.edu.
If you are on the waiting list, check your status frequently. They automatically enroll students from the waiting list if there are openings in the class. Sometimes they also start a new section and enroll all of the students from the waiting list.
Check Back Often:
This page will be updated to reflect any changes in information about the class. Please check back often.