Introduction to Web Content Management Systems Site Development SYLLABUS FALL 2012

Transcription

1 Introduction to Web Content Management Systems Site Development SYLLABUS FALL 2012 CSCI E-30, (23304; 23341) Last Updated: 7/16/2012 Course Description: In a rapidly changing world, the need for online publishers to keep up with the needs and expectations of their site visitors is paramount. Today, many cutting edge web publishers use content management systems (CMS) to allow them to instantly and dynamically update web pages and properties as new content becomes available so that every visit to a site is engaging, informative, and meaningful. CMS systems provide content developers with an option of creating powerful and highlyfunctional websites, landing pages, e-commerce features, social media tools and a wide range of other specialized and powerful function, many which eliminate the need for those developers to learn more traditional web development languages and coding like HTML, PHP, CSS and JavaScript. This introductory course explores the use of open source web-based content management systems such as Joomla, Moodle, Wordpress, and other online software solutions, which can be used to create dynamic and flexible web sites and landing pages. Learners will explore the fundamentals of planning dynamic websites, CMS database management, developing CSS-controlled site templates, and creating database driven websites through the planning and creation of their own topic-based sites. Course Objectives: To introduce learners to several Content Management Systems that will be used to develop an in-depth understanding of the general processes used to set up CMS sites and the applications and platforms which can be used to create dynamically updated content systems. Course Prerequisite: CSCI E-12- Fundamentals of Website Development or equivalent Course Requirement: Each student will need to have access to a web server so that they can create and create links their sites. Lecture Time: Online. Course Outline (subject to change): Class Date number 01-09/04/12 Agenda An Exploration of Content Management Systems Copyright 2012, Graham & Kramer Page 1 of 6

2 & This lesson will give learners an overview of some of the different tools and methods that today s web publishers are using to create highly-tailored dynamic web content. This review will include a short history of web site development tools and technologies, an exploration of different types of Web Content Management Systems, along with a review of the course objectives, expectations and policies. Review of Syllabus and other materials Grading and attendance policies Class Introductions The Open Source revolution An exploration of CMS based web sites and technologies 02-09/11/12 Planning and Developing Dynamic Web Content Sites Successful web sites are those which carefully plan how to best meet the needs of site visitors. During this session, we will explore the process of planning out goal specific and effective web site structures along with how to set up CMS tools and platforms at the server level. Special focus will be on how to install and implement CMS software using ISP provided tools and how to customize web databases using tools like MySQL. NOTE: While some of this content will be technical, it is not expected that learners already understand online database management. This content will be offered as part of the process of CMS use and implementations but the majority of the focus of this course will be more on web content development and less on engineering and IT skills. Setting site goals; Identifying target audiences Wireframing and planning site function and flow Installing CMS applications Working with ISPs to add site features to servers Geekfest: Working with MySQL and backend data structures 03-09/18/12 Building and Administrating a Wordpress Blog Site This lesson will provide learners with an overview of how to create a custom blog using Wordpress along with administrative tips and design overviews. Understanding the differences between Wordpress.com sites and Wordpress.org sites Setting up and installing a Wordpress site Finding and adding templates to a new site Copyright 2012, Graham & Kramer Page 2 of 6

3 Project: Customize site features Overview of administrative functions Adding extra functionality of Wordpress blogs Promoting new blog sites Each learner will design and create a new blog site of their own using Wordpress 04-09/25/12 Project: Building an Online Social Network Using SocialGo This lesson will introduce learners to the planning and installation of a new social media sites using software from SocialGo.com. Installing and configuring a new SocialGo based site Overview of site design and editing features Creating customized look and feel Promoting new social media sites Each learner will be responsible to building a social media site based on a personal interest or theme 05-10/02/12 Project: Web Site Design Using CSS This lesson will explore the fundamentals of Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) as a way to quickly and easily redesign existing web sites Overview of CSS value and features Exploration of how to use CSS to redesign text features How to use CSS to move and position web graphics Learners will be responsible for redesigning a web site s look and feel by altering the site s CSS tags 06-10/09/12 Creating and Maintaining a Wikimedia site This lesson will provide a walk-through of the process of planning and creating a new Wiki site using MediaWiki as its foundation. Installing and formatting MediaWiki Creating and editing separate wiki entries Adding coding functionality and hyperlinks Each learner will be responsible for adding 10 new entries to the class wiki and creating necessary cross links Copyright 2012, Graham & Kramer Page 3 of 6

4 07-10/16/12 CMS Development using Wix This lesson will explore the process of creating dynamic web sites through the powerful but easy-to-use interface and construction platform Wix. Setting up a Wix account Laying out pages; using template features Adding site content features Creating interactive links Each learner will design and create a Flash-based or HTML5 website using Wix /23/12 Creating Online Courses Using Moodle This lesson will provide learners with an overview of the popular Learning Management System Moodle and how it can be used to create dynamic and easily customized courses and training tools for online or remote learners. Planning and designing online training materials Installing the Moodle LMS platform software Adding media features to online courses Each learner will be responsible to creating on online course with explores a subject area and offers features like automatic quizzes and tests, topic discussion areas, media players, etc 09-10/30/ /06/12 Building Websites Using Joomla! (Week 1) This week marks the start of an exploration of Joomla!, the most popular web CMS solution available today. During this project, learners will learn how to install Joomla on a server, create a site structure, create menuing systems, layout pages and add content of all types to pages. Acquiring a host for Joomla Installing Joomla! Exploring the Admin Interface Planning the website Site map for your Joomla site, project plan, establishment of hosting, installation of Joomla Building Websites Using Joomla! (Week 2) This week we will explore the CAM model (Categories, Articles, Menus) approach to creating content for Joomla environments. Copyright 2012, Graham & Kramer Page 4 of 6

5 Special attention will also spent on the administration and management of users and media. Content creation using the CAM model Article parameters and customization Including images in the site 11-11/13/12 Enter content for the website. Building Websites Using Joomla! (Week 3) This week we will focus on creating and controlling menus for our Joomla site. We will learn how to link to articles and create special menu items. Adding and displaying menus Linking menus to articles and other features Learners will continue work on creating their websites. Thanksgiving break 12-11/27/12 Building Websites Using Joomla (Week 4) This week we will explore the use of Joomla, Plug-ins, Modules, Components and other extensions. Special attention will be paid to the installation of extensions. Finding and adding Joomla extensions Must have extensions for any Joomla site Adding and setting up 2 big extensions (choose blog, calendar, image gallery, Paypal-based shopping cart, or portfolio. Other extensions on approval) Learners will continue work on their websites /04/12 Building Websites Using Joomla (Week 5) This week we will explore the addition of creation and uses of customized Joomla templates as well as take a look at modifying templates using CSS and HTML tricks Creating customized Joomla templates Modifying Joomla CSS and HTML parameters Tweaking the Joomla backend Learners will continue work on their websites. Copyright 2012, Graham & Kramer Page 5 of 6

6 14-12/11/12 Building Websites Using Joomla (Week 6) This week we will explore making sites ready for mobile phones and adding an exclusive area of a site for visitors with a login. Adding the Mobile Joomla extension Configuring the site with mobile content Creating a log in feature to keep content exclusive Learners will continue work on their websites /18/12 & Building Websites Using Joomla (Week 7) During this session students will show off their final projects and provide an overview of the development process. Presentation of final projects Copyright 2012, Graham & Kramer Page 6 of 6