Assignments

=ASSIGNMENTS=

Weekly Assignments. Finding Information/Problem-Solving/Quiz
Assignments to be done in class include finding information on a related concept or topic, finding a solution for something that is not working within a project, or a quiz on information previously covered in class.

If you miss a class and have notified me before the class, you may makeup the assignment for half the points.

Marking Criteria

 * Total Points: /200**
 * Each assignment (20)

Assignment 1. Jump Page

 * Due date: July 26, 2011**

Obtain server space that supports PHP4 or higher and MySQL. A Linux or Unix based server is preferable. Identify the server operating system, the server software (example: Apache, IIS, etc.). Create a jump page meeting the following requirements:


 * Course name and number
 * Instructor name
 * Your name and email address
 * The current date (use PHP to write into page)
 * The web hosting company name and web site address (address should be an active link)
 * The server operating system
 * The server software
 * The exact version of PHP and MySQL the server is running
 * A link to a PHP info page with the following: <? phpinfo; ?>
 * Links to all class assignments labeled with the assignments name and due date
 * A design theme of your choosing

Use an external CSS page to format your page and valid XHTML for the page structure. Table-less layout is required.

//Post your link on the class wiki.//

Marking Criteria

 * Total Points: /30**
 * Professional presentation (5)
 * Usability (5)
 * Inclusion of requirements (20)

Assignment 2. Research Presentation

 * Due date: TBD (removed assignment)**

Choose one of the below research topics and create a 10 – 15 minute presentation on your topic. Post your presentation files and any additional resources on the class wiki.

Include links to examples of your topic and resources available for further reading.


 * Topics**
 * Compare and contrast two popular Content Management Systems, or provide a detailed description of one (ex: ExpressionEngine)
 * Code Igniter PHP Framework
 * Cake PHP Framework
 * Compare and contrast two popular WYSIWYG text editors (ex: TinyMCE, FCK Editor), or provide a detailed description of one
 * Dynamic content in Flash using PHP
 * Using the GD library or ImageMagic to create images on the fly (thumbnails or watermarks)
 * Creating and reading RSS feeds with PHP
 * Editing text files with PHP
 * QuickForm (PEAR Module)
 * Sending rich email (HTML email) with PHP (PHP Mailer class)
 * Database Normalization
 * Ruby on Rails
 * Scriptaculous or MooTools, and how they might be used in web applications
 * Ajax working with PHP
 * A short “how to” on a topic to be discussed with instructor
 * Propose a topic of your own!

Consult the instructor if you have another PHP related topic you would like to use for this project.

//As with any research project, the content should be your own and not lifted from a tutorial or other source!//

Marking Criteria

 * Total Points: /50**
 * Research and analysis documentation rubric (25)
 * Presentation rubric (25)

Assignment 3. Adaptation of Existing Script

 * Due date: Friday, September 23**

When creating web applications, many people use code libraries to store scripts that have proven useful.

Find an existing script online and adapt it to work for you.

Marking Criteria

 * Total Points: /100**
 * Research and analysis documentation rubric (25)
 * Technical: implementation (5)
 * Technical: clean code (5)
 * Technical: commenting of code (5)
 * Technical: overall usability (5)
 * Technical: explanation of adaptation (5)
 * Technical: All original naming conventions changed to match the current application (25)
 * Presentation rubric (25)

Assignment 4. Site Map, Design Comp, and Database Structure for CMS

 * Due date:**
 * Friday, September 23**

When creating web applications, it is essential that the structure and scope of the project are clear. Start by creating a traditional site map using Visio or OmniGraffle (Mac) showing the necessary pages for the front-end portion of the site (the side users see) and the content management system. Do not depict process here, just page display.

Map out the necessary tables in your database, their fields, and the data types for each field using Microsoft Word.

Create a design comp showing two key pages in the front-end of your project. If you are building a CMS for an existing site, your design comps should depict 2 pages in the CMS.

Present your work in semantically meaningful, web standards compliant documents. Present each section of this assignment on a separate HTML page with a global navigation system linking them all together.

Marking Criteria

 * Total Points: /140**
 * Communication brief rubric (1st 5 items of project contract rubric 15 pts)
 * Site map – project document rubric (25)
 * Database structure – project document rubric (25)
 * Design Comps – project document rubric (50)
 * Presentation Rubric (25)

Assignment 5. Content Management System

 * Due date:**
 * Friday, September 23**

Example: []

Use your planning documents from the previous assignment as the foundation for the creation of a content management system. //You may define your own topic for the site, but be sure it is conducive to the inclusion of the required features//. Your topic should require the use of dynamic content and the posting of files via a content management system. Any change made in the CMS section should be reflected on the front-end of the site.

· Use of PHP and MySQL to create, update, delete, and display dynamic content · Use validated web standards with semantic meaning (XHTML and CSS) · Have a secure user authentication system with logout feature · Allow an administrator to upload files and store a related record in a database · Use modularized programming · Use a well organized and logical code structure with clear commenting · Use a template system with dynamic headings and status indicators to display pages · Dynamic display of the date
 * Your web site should meet the following criteria:**

Submit your code in a Zip archive, and email it to your instructor.

Please make the username “admin” and password “admin” to get into your CMS.

Marking Criteria

 * Total Points: /250**
 * Professional presentation (15)
 * Visual Design (15)
 * Create, read and display, update, delete (40)
 * Validation of pages (10)
 * Secure authentication (10)
 * Log out (5)
 * Upload files (10)
 * Modularized programming (10)
 * Code structure (10)
 * Commenting of code (10)
 * Code naming conventions match current application (50)
 * Template system (10)
 * Dynamic display of date (5)
 * Quality assurance (10)
 * Usability (15)
 * Presentation rubric (25)

Assignment 6. Conversion to Open-Source CMS Research and Analysis

 * Due date: TBD (If time allows)**

Set up your project in Joomla, Drupal or Word Press. The point of this assignment is to identify the issues that arise when using and adapting pre-built applications.


 * Create a report that answers the following questions:**
 * What was the most challenging part of converting your project?
 * What worked really well?
 * What, if anything, would you do differently in the project planning stage?
 * What, if anything, would you do differently in the project design stage?
 * What, if anything would you do differently in the project development stage?
 * What, if anything would you do differently in the implementation stage?
 * What (overall) did you learn about converting your project?

Marking Criteria

 * Total Points: /85**
 * Research and analysis rubric (25)
 * Assignment requirements (35)
 * Presentation rubric (25)

Mid-Curriculum Review 2.

 * Due date: End of Week 3 Fall Quarter 2011**

Tyler Corbett CorvosDESIGN - Web Design []

Submit the URL for your mid-curriculum review project to the instructor by the due date as posted on the class Wiki.


 * Your review should include the following:**
 * Jump page
 * Career goals
 * Resource library
 * Resume
 * Visual design project
 * Information architecture project
 * Interaction design project
 * Other work

Marking Criteria

 * Total Points: /110**
 * Jump page requirements 5pts each (40)
 * Overall usability (5)
 * Quality assurance (5)
 * Career goals (5)
 * Resource library (5)
 * Resume (5)
 * Visual design project (5)
 * Information architecture project (5)
 * Interaction design project (5)
 * Other work (5)
 * Presentation rubric (25)

Extra Credit

 * Include a style switcher to the front-end of your site and receive up to 1 extra percent (visit the following URL for example: [] )

Because of the depth and breadth of the subject, there are many opportunities to venture further into topics or explore entirely new ones. If you have a specific topic you would like to investigate, please propose it to the instructor for approval.

=COURSE GRADING= Your final grade will be based on the following:
 * Assignment || Title || Points || % ||
 * Assignment 1 || Jump Page || 30 || 4 ||
 * Assignment 2 || Research Project || 50 || 6 ||
 * Assignment 3 || Adaptation of Existing Script || 100 || 12 ||
 * Assignment 4 || Creative Brief, Site Map, Design Comp, and Database Structure || 140 || 17 ||
 * Assignment 5 || Content Management System Project || 250 || 25 ||
 * Assignment 6 || Conversion of Project to Open-Source CMS Research and Analysis || 85 || 11 ||
 * Weekly Assignments || Finding Information/Problem-Solving/Quiz (20 pts per week) || 200 || 25 ||

//Mid Curriculum Review Level 2//

 * Review || ....................................................................................................................... ||  ||   ||

//Extra Credit//

 * Extra Credit || ............................................................................................................... || .... || Varies ||

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