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You may take this class totally online!!!
No classroom attendance required.

Fall 2015 - 2 Sessions:
Aug. 17 - Oct. 12, 2015 - Section # 72460
Oct. 14 - Dec. 16, 2015 - Section # 72937

General Information

This class is an 8-week, 2-unit class. There will be two separate classes. One will be from Aug. 17 to Oct. 12. The other will be Oct. 14 to Dec. 16. They will be all online, though I plan to have some on-campus help sessions for those who would like to come. The on-campus help sessions 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. Those who have had no Web experience can easily have a site up and running very quickly.

It's helpful for Web professionals to learn WordPress, as well. 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 suite the client's needs. After that, the client is able to take over the maintenance 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 choose the look and feel of the site, how to add functionality with plug-ins, how to add content to the side columns, and how to add content both for blogging and for site pages. 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 standard, 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 and no previous knowledge of Web design is required. You will need to be able to use a Web browser, such as Internet Explorer, Safari, Firefox or Chrome to navigate the Web, fill out forms, etc. You will also need to be able store photos or other multimedia on your computer and to find those files for later use.

Required Textbook

WordPress: The Missing Manual (2nd Edition) by Matthew MacDonald, O'Reilly Media. ISBN: 978-1-449-34190-9.

Software Requirements

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. It's possible that we can get some student discounts, too.

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.