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Section #30846 - GCMW 102
Jan 29 - May 25, 2024

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

Course Description and Objectives

In GCMW 102 you will learn the basics of Web design: how to create your pages, how to optimize your graphics for use on your pages and how to upload your pages to a server so that they will be available for everyone to see. We will use the state-of-art Web Design tool used most often by Professionals, Adobe Dreamweaver. In addition we will cover such topics as how to create interactive Web forms, how to find a host, and how to register a domain name.

Software Requirements:

For work at home, this class requires Adobe Dreamweaver CC .

After you enroll in class, you are eligible for Academic Prices on software. (Note: When you purchase this software at academic prices, you are getting complete versions of the programs. You need not worry about reduced functionality. The difference between the Academic version of Dreamweaver and the Full version is in the licensing. The academic version is only licensed for academic or private use. The regular version is licensed for commercial use.) Adobe is also offering good prices on bundles many of the popular Adobe products such as Photoshop and Illustrator.

Other software that you will need are the free Adobe Acrobat Reader and an unzipping (decompression) program such as the free Stuffit Expander to unzip files. You will probably already have an unzipping program on your computer.

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. The teacher's email address is: jfontanella@palomar.edu.

Required Text

This is the latest version of the book and the one that we will be using in class. You can click on the link below to order, or you can buy it at the bookstore.

Note: We will be using the 2023 version of the book. It is available on Amazon. This version of the book will match the Adobe Dreamweaver software most accurately. However, there aren't huge changes between the new 2023 book and the previous two versions. You might be able to save money by getting a used 2021 or 2022 book. It's your decision on which version of the book to use.

Places to Get the Textbook

Note:

We are lucky that Against the Clock is keeping up with all of the changes in Adobe Dreamweaver. I'ts great to have a book that will match what you will be seeing on the screen. This book is available at Amazon, and in the Palomar Bookstore. You can also get it from Against The Clock publishers at their site. The publisher has both a print copy and a less expensive ebook copy. The ebook is protected with Adobe DRM, however, so you'll have to have an app that can read that format, plus an adobe account. (No cost for the app or the account.)

There are many e-reader apps, but very few that can handle the Adobe DRM format, so be sure that you look for that in the description. Apps that can handle the Adobe DRM format are available for Android, iOS, Windows and Mac operating systems.

One Android e-reader app that is free, and that can read the Adobe DRM format, is called "Pocketbook." I liked that one better than the Bluefire Reader suggested by Against the Clock. Before you decide on getting the ebook, I strongly suggest that you try out the apps with a free ebook to be sure that they work for you, and that you enjoy reading this way.

You will need the textbook for the 3rd week of class.

Where to get the Book

Great Deal for Students

Amazon is offering free Amazon Prime (free 2-day shipping) for 6 months.

Sign up here.

Some Class Topics:

  1. Orientation to the Online Classroom
  2. Understanding how HTML works
  3. Introduction to Dreamweaver Site Setup
  4. Basic Pages in Dreamweaver
  5. Creating Links
  6. Using Cascading Style Sheets to Format Text in Dreamweaver
  7. Using Cascading Style Sheets to Layout Your Pages
  8. Adding Images to your pages
  9. Image Optimization for the Web
  10. Adding Multimedia to your pages
  11. Styling Your Page Content
  12. Creating Attractive Page Layouts
  13. Creating Navigation for a Web Site
  14. Using Templates
  15. Managing Your Site
  16. Creating Interactive Forms
  17. Adding Functionality with Javascript
  18. Uploading Files to the Remote Server

Class Format:

Units will consist of teacher notes for background information, hands-on tutorials for learning the programs, and assignments for applying and practicing the new target skills. Students will upload their assignments to the student server.

Prerequisite Skills:

This is a beginning class in Web page design. No previous experience is expected. You do need to be familiar with using the file management utility on your computer for saving, managing and retrieving files.

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: Admissions : https://www.palomar.edu/admissions/

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.

You will be enrolling through the MyPalomar student center. That's your online student account center where you manage your classes, fees, and registrations. The college department for this course is Graphic Communications.