FIT1012 Website authoring - Semester 2 , 2007

Unit leader :

Matthew Coller

Lecturer(s) :

Berwick

  • Matthew Coller

Caulfield

  • Matthew Coller

South Africa

  • Gregory Gregoriou

Tutors(s) :

Berwick

  • William Lay

Caulfield

  • Matthew Coller
  • William Lay

South Africa

  • Jean-Paul Hounkarin

Introduction

Welcome to FIT1012 and MMS1402 - these units will be co-taught in Semester 2, 2007 at Caulfield and Berwick.   FIT1012 is a core unit for the Bachelor of Information Technology and Systems, and MMS1402 is a core unit for the Bachelor of Multimedia and Digital Arts. Both units are also 'open electives' meaning anyone from any undergraduate course can enrol.

The unit will bring together coding-programming with design to help you create websites that can be published on the World Wide Web.  If you have a message you want to get out to the world, then this is the unit that will help you do it.  Even if you haven't had much experience with IT or with Art/design, the unit will help you to put your best talents to work. 

Unit synopsis

This unit will develop the fundamental concepts of website authoring, from design to implementation. Students will develop skills in creating digital content which is authored to deal with the particular issues of web publishing. The unit will examine HTML/XHTML, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), the W3C Document Object Model (DOM) and JavaScript as the fundamental website authoring suite. In addition HTML embedded server-side script languages, such as ColdFusion, will be used to create dynamic database driven content. The unit will also introduce wider W3C standards, web usability and web design spcification.

Learning outcomes

At the completion of this unit students will have a theoretical and conceptual understanding of:

  • the characteristics of commercial web sites and the authoring/management issues associated with them;
  • the features and applicability of a range of software tools and methodologies which are used in the development of websites;
  • internet standards and protocols, in particular the impact of World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) standards in this area;
  • a web-based document as an instance of the W3C Document Object Model;
  • website accessibility and usability issues;
  • the role that products such as Macromedia Flash can play in web authoring;
  • copyright related issues as they apply to web authoring.

At the completion of this unit students will have developed attitudes that enable them to:

  • appreciate the flexibility required in dealing with clients in a variety of situations encountered in the tendering/authoring process;
  • demonstrate a critical attitude towards assessing the success of websites;
  • demonstrate a recognition of the strengths and weaknesses of information technology in the context of the development and use of web based multimedia systems.

At the completion of this unit students will have the skills to:

  • code web pages using standard HTML/XHTML, including forms;
  • create and manipulate digital content for websites, including basic audio and animation;
  • make use of Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) to add style to web documents;
  • use JavaScript to add interactivity to HTML pages;
  • access and manipulate DOM objects in a web document;
  • write HTML embedded script code (such as ColdFusion) to produce dynamic database driven web documents;
  • produce design specification documents applicable to a web site authoring task.

Workload

For this unit, you will need to make the following time commitments:

  • a two-hour lecture
  • a two-hour tutorial
  •  4 hours of private/group study per week (at a minimum)
Please note, non-attendance at lectures or tutorials is looked upon very poorly in this unit.  If you miss lectures without good reason, then you will not be entitled to any further help.

Unit relationships

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this unit.

Relationships

FIT1012 is a core unit in the Multimedia Major of the Bachelor of Information Technology and Systems. It is a prerequisite for FIT2012 Digital Media Authoring, and FIT3044 Advanced Website Authoring.

You may not study this unit and CPE1003, FIT1011, IMS1402 or MMS1402 in your degree.

Continuous improvement

Monash is committed to ‘Excellence in education' and strives for the highest possible quality in teaching and learning. To monitor how successful we are in providing quality teaching and learning Monash regularly seeks feedback from students, employers and staff. Two of the formal ways that you are invited to provide feedback are through Unit Evaluations and through Monquest Teaching Evaluations.

One of the key formal ways students have to provide feedback is through Unit Evaluation Surveys. It is Monash policy for every unit offered to be evaluated each year. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the surveys as they are an important avenue for students to "have their say". The feedback is anonymous and provides the Faculty with evidence of aspects that students are satisfied and areas for improvement.

Student Evaluations

The Faculty of IT administers the Unit Evaluation surveys online through the my.monash portal, although for some smaller classes there may be alternative evaluations conducted in class.

If you wish to view how previous students rated this unit, please go to http://www.monash.edu.au/unit-evaluation-reports/

Over the past few years the Faculty of Information Technology has made a number of improvements to its courses as a result of unit evaluation feedback. Some of these include systematic analysis and planning of unit improvements, and consistent assignment return guidelines.

Monquest Teaching Evaluation surveys may be used by some of your academic staff this semester. They are administered by the Centre for Higher Education Quality (CHEQ) and may be completed in class with a facilitator or on-line through the my.monash portal. The data provided to lecturers is completely anonymous. Monquest surveys provide academic staff with evidence of the effectiveness of their teaching and identify areas for improvement. Individual Monquest reports are confidential, however, you can see the summary results of Monquest evaluations for 2006 at http://www.adm.monash.edu.au/cheq/evaluations/monquest/profiles/index.html

Improvements to this unit

Restructuring of assessment last semester was successful in improving the 'feedback' rating given by students.

 Some fine-tuning will be made to the spread of lecture content, and to the minor assessments, to place them earlier in the semester when they don't conflict with tasks in students' other units.

Unit staff - contact details

Unit leader

Mr Matthew Coller
Lecturer
Phone +61 3 990 47164

Lecturer(s) :

Mr Matthew Coller
Lecturer
Phone +61 3 990 47164

Contact hours :

  • Caulfield - Tuesday 2pm-4pm
  • Berwick - Friday 4pm-5pm

Mr Gregory Gregoriou

Tutor(s) :

Failed to retrieve details for Jean-Paul Hounkarin

Mr Matthew Coller
Lecturer
Phone +61 3 990 47164
Mr William Lay

Additional communication information

At Caulfield, Matt and William can be found in room H6.40 when they are available.  Call through on extension 31214 to find if the room is attended.

Teaching and learning method

Lectures will include theory and software demonstrations.  Attendance is essential to learn proper use of the software.

Tutorials will consist of self-paced written tutorials as a foundation, augmented by one-to-one contact with the tutor for extended learning.

Tutorial allocation

Students should register for tutorials/laboratories using Allocate+.

Communication, participation and feedback

Monash aims to provide a learning environment in which students receive a range of ongoing feedback throughout their studies. You will receive feedback on your work and progress in this unit. This may take the form of group feedback, individual feedback, peer feedback, self-comparison, verbal and written feedback, discussions (on line and in class) as well as more formal feedback related to assignment marks and grades. You are encouraged to draw on a variety of feedback to enhance your learning.

It is essential that you take action immediately if you realise that you have a problem that is affecting your study. Semesters are short, so we can help you best if you let us know as soon as problems arise. Regardless of whether the problem is related directly to your progress in the unit, if it is likely to interfere with your progress you should discuss it with your lecturer or a Community Service counsellor as soon as possible.

Unit Schedule

Week Topic Key dates
1 Introduction to subject; The Internet in context  
2 How the web works; HTML / FTP  
3 W3C standardisation; XHTML/CSS/Javascript/DOM  
4 Images on the Web; Copyright Work Requirement 1 due
5 Web design methodologies; Accessibility Work Requirement 2 due
6 CSS layout methods; Browser issues  
7 The Document Object Model; Javascript Work Requirement 3 due
8 Macromedia Flash; Sound on the Web Assignment 1 due
9 Web hosting; Domains; Search engines; ColdFusion basics  
10 Javascripted forms; Form validation, Server files Work Requirement 4 due
Mid semester break
11 Database access, HTTP methods  
12 Site testing, Getting a job Assignment 2 due
13 Exam revision  

Unit Resources

Prescribed text(s) and readings

Text books are available from the Monash University Book Shops. Availability from other suppliers cannot be assured. The Bookshop orders texts in specifically for this unit. You are advised to purchase your text book early.

Recommended text(s) and readings

Required software and/or hardware

The unit covers the following software:

All software will be provided in computer laboratories (if you wish to have after-hours access, this can be arranged with ITS). Alternatively, students may use their home computer with their own copies of the software installed.

Software may be:

  • purchased at academic price at good software retailers

Equipment and consumables required or provided

Information about computer use for students is available from the ITS Student Resource Guide in the Monash University Handbook. You will need to allocate up to 8 hours per week for use of a computer, including time for discussion groups.

Study resources

Study resources we will provide for your study are:

available on MUSO, where lecture slides, weekly tutorial requirements, assignment specifications, sample solutions and supplementary material will be posted.

Library access

The Monash University Library site contains details about borrowing rights and catalogue searching. To learn more about the library and the various resources available, please go to http://www.lib.monash.edu.au.  Be sure to obtain a copy of the Library Guide, and if necessary, the instructions for remote access from the library website.

Monash University Studies Online (MUSO)

All unit and lecture materials are available through the MUSO (Monash University Studies Online) site. You can access this site by going to:

  1. a) https://muso.monash.edu.au or
  2. b) via the portal (http://my.monash.edu.au).

Click on the Study and enrolment tab, then the MUSO hyperlink.

In order for your MUSO unit(s) to function correctly, your computer needs to be correctly configured.

For example :

  • MUSO supported browser
  • Supported Java runtime environment

For more information, please visit

http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/students/downloadables-student.html

You can contact the MUSO Support by: Phone: (+61 3) 9903 1268

For further contact information including operational hours, please visit

http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/students/contact.html

Further information can be obtained from the MUSO support site:

http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/index.html

Assessment

Unit assessment policy

  • Attend 80% of the tutorials (or have a medical certificate to excuse further absence).
  • Achieve a mark at least 40% for each component of assessment (assignment and exam).
  • Achieve an overall mark of 50% or above.

Assignment tasks

  • Assignment Task
    Title :
    HTML/CSS Website
    Description :
    A 5-page informational website designed to W3C standards.  To be undertaken individually.
    Weighting :
    20%
    Criteria for assessment :

    Concept & Aesthetics

     Information Architecture

    Site Architecture & Maintainability

    Fulfilment of site's goals

    Due date :
    Tutorial in Week 8
  • Assignment Task
    Title :
    Dynamic Website
    Description :

    A commercial website for a retail company, accessing a product database.

    Work to be undertaken in a group of three, with each member taking a specific role in development. 

    Weighting :
    20%
    Criteria for assessment :

    Contribution within responsibilities of assigned role (10 marks)

    Overall performance of group (10 marks) 

    Due date :
    Tutorial in Week 12
  • Assignment Task
    Title :
    4 x Work Requirements
    Description :
    Work requirements are defined tasks, due progressively throughout the semester.
    Weighting :
    20%
    Criteria for assessment :

    Fulfilment of basic requirements.

    Challenges undertaken.

    Due date :
    Weeks 4, 6, 7, 10

Examinations

  • Examination
    Weighting :
    40%
    Length :
    2 hours
    Type ( open/closed book ) :
    Closed book

Assignment submission

Assignments must be uploaded to the studentweb server by the due date. You may also be asked to submit a hard copy of your assignments on CD-ROM.

Assignments may not be emailed except by prior arrangement.

Assignment coversheets

You must complete a Plagiarism Declaration on MUSO before assignments will be accepted.

University and Faculty policy on assessment

Due dates and extensions

The due dates for the submission of assignments are given in the previous section. Please make every effort to submit work by the due dates. It is your responsibility to structure your study program around assignment deadlines, family, work and other commitments. Factors such as normal work pressures, vacations, etc. are seldom regarded as appropriate reasons for granting extensions. Students are advised to NOT assume that granting of an extension is a matter of course.

Late assignment

Assignments received after the due date will be subject to a penalty of 5% per day, including weekends.

Students should note that they are, at all times responsible for their work. All relevant data should be backed up on a regular basis. The university has CD burners in the computer labs and blank CDs may be purchased through the campus bookstore.

Loss of project work through hardware failure, virus, or any other reason is not accepted as an excuse for late or non-submission of work.

Return dates

Students can expect assignments to be returned within two weeks of the submission date or after receipt, whichever is later.

Assessment for the unit as a whole is in accordance with the provisions of the Monash University Education Policy at:

http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/assessment/

We will aim to have assignment results made available to you within two weeks. Your mark and feedback will be emailed to your Monash student email address. Websites on CD will not be returned unless a request is made, so keep a backup copy of your assignments.

Plagiarism, cheating and collusion

Plagiarism and cheating are regarded as very serious offences. In cases where cheating  has been confirmed, students have been severely penalised, from losing all marks for an assignment, to facing disciplinary action at the Faculty level. While we would wish that all our students adhere to sound ethical conduct and honesty, I will ask you to acquaint yourself with Student Rights and Responsibilities (http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/about/committees-groups/facboard/policies/studrights.html) and the Faculty regulations that apply to students detected cheating as these will be applied in all detected cases.

In this University, cheating means seeking to obtain an unfair advantage in any examination or any other written or practical work to be submitted or completed by a student for assessment. It includes the use, or attempted use, of any means to gain an unfair advantage for any assessable work in the unit, where the means is contrary to the instructions for such work. 

When you submit an individual assessment item, such as a program, a report, an essay, assignment or other piece of work, under your name you are understood to be stating that this is your own work. If a submission is identical with, or similar to, someone else's work, an assumption of cheating may arise. If you are planning on working with another student, it is acceptable to undertake research together, and discuss problems, but it is not acceptable to jointly develop or share solutions unless this is specified by your lecturer. 

Intentionally providing students with your solutions to assignments is classified as "assisting to cheat" and students who do this may be subject to disciplinary action. You should take reasonable care that your solution is not accidentally or deliberately obtained by other students. For example, do not leave copies of your work in progress on the hard drives of shared computers, and do not show your work to other students. If you believe this may have happened, please be sure to contact your lecturer as soon as possible.

Cheating also includes taking into an examination any material contrary to the regulations, including any bilingual dictionary, whether or not with the intention of using it to obtain an advantage.

Plagiarism involves the false representation of another person's ideas, or findings, as your own by either copying material or paraphrasing without citing sources. It is both professional and ethical to reference clearly the ideas and information that you have used from another writer. If the source is not identified, then you have plagiarised work of the other author. Plagiarism is a form of dishonesty that is insulting to the reader and grossly unfair to your student colleagues.

Register of counselling about plagiarism

The university requires faculties to keep a simple and confidential register to record counselling to students about plagiarism (e.g. warnings). The register is accessible to Associate Deans Teaching (or nominees) and, where requested, students concerned have access to their own details in the register. The register is to serve as a record of counselling about the nature of plagiarism, not as a record of allegations; and no provision of appeals in relation to the register is necessary or applicable.

Non-discriminatory language

The Faculty of Information Technology is committed to the use of non-discriminatory language in all forms of communication. Discriminatory language is that which refers in abusive terms to gender, race, age, sexual orientation, citizenship or nationality, ethnic or language background, physical or mental ability, or political or religious views, or which stereotypes groups in an adverse manner. This is not meant to preclude or inhibit legitimate academic debate on any issue; however, the language used in such debate should be non-discriminatory and sensitive to these matters. It is important to avoid the use of discriminatory language in your communications and written work. The most common form of discriminatory language in academic work tends to be in the area of gender inclusiveness. You are, therefore, requested to check for this and to ensure your work and communications are non-discriminatory in all respects.

Students with disabilities

Students with disabilities that may disadvantage them in assessment should seek advice from one of the following before completing assessment tasks and examinations:

Deferred assessment and special consideration

Deferred assessment (not to be confused with an extension for submission of an assignment) may be granted in cases of extenuating personal circumstances such as serious personal illness or bereavement. Special consideration in the awarding of grades is also possible in some circumstances. Information and forms for Special Consideration and deferred assessment applications are available at http://www.monash.edu.au/exams/special-consideration.html. Contact the Faculty's Student Services staff at your campus for further information and advice.