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

Section #72689
August 26 - October 19, 2024
8 week course

General Information

This class is an 8-week, 2-unit class.

The classes will be all online, though I plan to have face-to-face help sessions for those who would like to come. The zoom 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 215 is an advanced level WordPress class. In this clsss, we'll be doing more advanced page design and layout, learning to attract more visitors to our sites, and learning to add ecommerce functionality to the site. Yes, you can run a store with WordPress!

Prerequisite Skills:

You should have taken GCMW 115, Page Layout with WordPress before taking this class - or have the equivalent skills. You should also know how to tweak images to make them the right size and shape for your site.

Required Textbook

WordPress, the Missing Manual - 3rd Edition by Matthew MacDonald, O'Reilly Media. ISBN: 978-1492074168.


 

Note:
You might already have this book from GCMW 115. Amazon has the Kindle version of the book available at a lower cost. I do recommend that you have a print copy to read, though. I find that students often do better with print copies than with screen copies. You can use the PDF version to print out your own chapters if you prefer. You can also purchase the book at the college bookstore.


Library Card

You will need a library card for the San Diego County Library in order to watch the required video courses for this class. The library card is free. You might have to go to the library to pick up the card, but after that you will be able to access the videos from your home computer. This page lists the locations of the branches: https://sdcl.bibliocommons.com/locations/

Note: The San Diego City Library is a different library system. It also allows us to access the video courses that we need. If you have a San Diego City Library card or that library is easier for you to get to for your card, you can use that library, as well.

Please don't wait to get your card.

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.

Note: If you already have a WordPress site, you might not be able to use that site for class assignments. We will be doing weekly assignments that require you to add to or change aspects of your site. If you can't do this with your present site, you will need another WordPress class for class. Often, you can have more than one instance of WordPress on your hosted account. If that's the case, you can add a 2nd WordPress site and you won't need a new account.

Starting Class

The class site will be activated on the first day of class. You will receive information through your Palomar Email address that tells you the URL for joining the class. Follow the directions for signing into the class site. You will be able to login and see the class materials.

Palomar eServices Email Address:

Be sure to check your email address on eServices. Keep it updated so that if a teacher wants to send you some information, she will be able to. You can add a non-Palomar address, and then mark it as your "Preferred" email address. That way you can receive your Palomar email at the address that you use most often. Also, if you are unsure of your password for Blackboard, you can use the "Forgot Password" link, and the password will be sent to your preferred address.

Check Back Often:

This page will be updated to reflect any changes in information about the class. Please check back often.

Applying to Palomar and Registering for the Class

You can apply to Palomar College Online and register for the class. Please go to: Apply to Palomar.

Your application to Palomar College is free. When you apply, you will be given a student ID number. Once you have your student ID number, you will be able to enroll online for classes.

Enroll in classe at: https://my.palomar.edu/psp/palc9prd/?cmd=login&languageCd=ENG&

You will be enrolling through the MyPalomar student center. That's your online student account center where you manage your classes, fees, and registrations.

When you so a class search to enroll in the class, choose:
Subject: Graphic Communications Multimedia and Web
Course Number: GCMW 215

YouTube Video on How to Register for Classes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkntOMhgQEE&t=1s
This video shows you how to enroll in classes after you have already registered for OpenCCC and have a Palomar student ID.

Need a Permission Code to Register?

Contact me via email for a code. My email address can be found at https://www.palomar.edu/gc/about-us/faculty/