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Section #70600 - GCMW 102
Aug 25 - Dec 20, 2025

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: You can use the 2023 version of the book, or the 2025 version. There is very little difference between the two versions. If you would like to save some money, you might be able to get the 2023 version of the book, used at a cheaper price than the 2025 version. I will provide instruction about the only change in the newer version of the book.

You can get the 2023 version at Amazon or the Publisher's site. You can get the 2025 version at the publishers site only. On the publisher's site, you can get a print book, an ebook, or a combination.

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.

The book willl also be available at the Palomar Book Store.

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

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.

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. The course number is GCMW 102.

Starting Class

You will receive an 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.

Check Back:

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

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/