Unit 2 - Web Development

Question of the Day: How can we tell the computer both what to put on the web page, and how to organize it?

This lesson introduces HTML as a solution to the problem of how to communicate both the content and structure of a website to a computer. The lesson begins with a brief unplugged activity that demonstrates the challenges of effectively communicating the structure of a web page. Then, the class looks at an HTML page in Web Lab and discusses how HTML tags help solve this problem, before using HTML to write their first web pages of the unit.

Question of the Day: How can we work together to fix problems with our websites?

This lesson continues the introduction to HTML tags, this time with headings. The class practices using heading tags to create page and section titles and learns how the different heading elements are displayed by default.

Question of the Day: How can we change the style of text on a web page?

This lesson introduces CSS as a way to style elements on the page. The class learns the basic syntax for CSS rule-sets and then explores properties that impact HTML text elements. Finally, they discuss the differences between content, structure, and style when making a personal web page.

Question of the Day: How can we style the images and layouts of our pages?

This lesson continues the introduction to CSS style properties, this time focusing more on non-text elements. The class begins by investigating and modifying the new CSS styles on a Desserts of the World page. Afterwards, everyone applies this new knowledge to their personal websites.

Question of the Day: How can we create different styles for the same type of element?

This lesson introduces CSS classes, which allow web developers to treat groups of elements they want styled differently than other elements of the same type. Students first investigate and modify classes on various pages, then create their own classes and use them to better control the appearance of their pages. Teams then reflect on how they could use this skill to improve their websites.

Question of the Day: How do we plan a web page as a group?

The class works in teams to plan out the final web sites and create a sketch of each page. They then download the media that they will need for their sites. At the end of the activity, they decide how the work will be distributed among them and report whether the entire team agreed to the plan.

Question of the Day: How can we combine several different web pages into one website?

The class begins this lesson by looking online for the internet’s first web page and discussing how its use of links was what started the web. They then transition to Web Lab where they learn how to make their own links, as well as good conventions that make it easier for users to navigate on a page. Finally, they reflect on their team project and what their personal goals are for the final stretch.