IT 111 Final Podcast - Fall 2008

This will be my final podcast for Fall Quarter, 2008 and it includes a few updates and answers to "frequently asked questions" that usually come up at the end of the quarter. I decided to share a short Christmas Ship Video (1:17 minutes) I took a couple years ago to help us all get in the right mood for the holidays.

Listen to the final IT 111 podcast. (3 minutes)
Or, if you prefer, read the podcast transcript. (PDF)

I hope everyone has a relaxing and peaceful holiday season with family and friends.

IT 111 Week 10 Podcast - Fall 2008

This podcast focuses on the final project with several tips for getting the best grade possible. I encourage you to print a copy of the grading sheet before you begin listening to the podcast so you can follow along with my comments.

The screen snapshot to the left is a Flickr site that allows you to search for images that can be used on your web site. The only catch is that you have to give the original photographer credit. Not a bad deal.

Your final project is due on the last day of class, Wednesday, December 10. However, if you submit it by Monday, December 8, I'll give you feedback and a chance to make improvements.

As a reminder, all outstanding assignments will also be due on Wednesday, December 10, the official last day of Fall quarter.

Listen to the Week 10 podcast (6:12 minutes)
Or, if you prefer, read the transcript (PDF)

Did everyone survive Thanksgiving? I hope so!

IT 111 Week 9 Podcast - Fall 2008

This is a screen snapshot of one of the final projects submitted Summer quarter. As you work on your project template, I encourage you to review the examples I've provided in the Final Project Assignment page of previous projects.

This podcast has some announcements and a brief introduction to Chapter 9 - XHTML forms. I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving next week.

Listen to the Week 9 Podcast (3:33 minutes)
Or, if you prefer, read the podcast transcript (PDF)

IT 111 Week 8 Podcast - Fall 2008

This podcast has an announcement, a "shout out" for the Firefox Web Developer Extension, and a short introduction to Chapter 8 - XHTML Tables.

I've recently downloaded and installed the Firefox Web Developer Extension and I'm loving using many of the tools it provides. Please check it out.

I think you'll be able to figure it out on your own but I found a couple YouTube movies that introduce it and explore some of its more useful features.

• Video #1 (4:31 minutes)
• Video #2 (6:51 minutes)

Listen to the Week 8 Podcast (3:39 minutes)
Or, if you prefer, read the transcript (PDF)

IT 111 Week 7 Podcast - Fall 2008

This is a screen snapshot for Jing Project which is free software that allows you to make a either a movie of the action on your screen or a snapshot. I'm using it when I review your assignments to show you problems - much easier than typing them.

Also, Karl mentioned "skip navigation" in his critique last week and I found a web site that does a good job of explaining it and has several examples. Check it out!

More about these web sites and a short introduction to Chapter 7 are included in this podcast. Enjoy!

Listen to the Week 7 podcast (3:30 minutes long)
Or, read the transcript if you prefer (PDF)

Please feel free to leave a comment.

IT 111 Week 6 Podcast - Fall 2008

This podcast has some announcements, a book recommendation, and some tips for Chapter 6.

The book pictured to the left, Don't Make Me Think!, is one of my favorite books on web design and usability. There are two copies in the library at NSCC if you want to check it out before you buy it.

I encourage you to get your web site critiques posted to our discussion board sooner rather than later since you also need to review and comment on other critiques. Waiting till the last minute to post and review will make it harder for your fellow classmates.

Listen to the Week 6 Podcast (3:12 minutes long)
Or, if you prefer, read the podcast transcript. PDF

IT 111 Week 5 Podcast - Fall 2008

The screen snapshot to the left is from a free web-based image editing site called Photoshop Express. The Chapter 4 Assignment requires you to edit two photos and if you don't own image editing software, you might want to use this service. I have not used it but I've heard good things about it.

This podcast covers some important topics from Chapter 4 and gives a brief overview of the Chapter 5 Assignment due on November 2. In the podcast, I mention screen reader devices used by the visually impaired when they surf the web and the importance of including the "alt" attribute in your image tags. I hope you'll listen to this screen reader simulation as it reads a web page. It's an enlightening experience. Note: it is a large audio file and will take a few seconds to download.

Listen to the Week 5 Podcast (6:16 minutes long)
Or, if you prefer, read the transcript. PDF

Feel free to leave a comment about the simulation.

IT 111 Week 3 Podcast - Fall 2008

This is a picture of an "EnergyPod" used by staff at Google and other high tech firms for short naps. A recent article in the Seattle PI discussed the role of sleep and naps in creativity and problem solving. The article might convince you to get more sleep!

This podcast describes the work flow I recommend when coding and testing your web page files. You might want to print out the transcript for this podcast to have a written description of the work flow, too. It also discusses my communication style and approach to grading.

Listen to the Week 3 Podcast (6:56 minutes)
Or, if you prefer, read the transcript. PDF.

IT 111 Week 2 Podcast - Fall 2008

This short video (8 minutes and 41 seconds) covers the 4 most important rules for XHTML documents. I hope you'll watch it before you start working on the Chapter 2 Assignment.

The Week 2 podcast includes some general course information and some tips for the Chapter 2 Assignment which is the first coding assignment. I'm sure you're all anxious to get started creating web pages. Make sure to give yourself enough time to complete it. And, remember what Lisa said in the interview. Work every day and don't wait till the last minute to do the assignment.

Listen to the Week 2 Podcast (4 minutes long)
Or, if you prefer, read the podcast transcript (PDF)

And, feel free to add a comment or question.

IT 111 Week 1 Podcast Fall 2008

Welcome to the first Fall quarter podcast for IT 111. I've used this podcast to explain how I use podcasting in our class, to make a few announcements, and to give you some quick tips on the intro assignment and quiz which are due on Thursday, Sept. 25.

My use of Meebo, an instant messaging tool, is one of the announcements. If I'm online and willing to get questions, the Meebo window on the course home page will show that I'm online. You can type a quick message into the window and hit the Enter or Return key and I'll get your message. I should respond right away unless I've stepped away from my computer. Make sure you include your name in your message so I know who I'm communicating with.

Listen to the Week 1 Podcast (4:05 minutes)
Or, if you prefer, read the transcript for the podcast. (PDF - requires Acrobat Reader)

Please feel free to leave a comment.

IT 111 Week 7 Podcast Summer 2008

This podcast is all about your final project and getting the best grade possible for it. I recommend you print a copy of the grading sheet before you listen to the podcast.

The screen snapshot to the left is a Flickr site that allows you to search for images that can be used on your web site. The only catch is that you have to give the original photographer credit. Not a bad deal.

This will be the final podcast for the quarter I think unless I find something that I must share with you next week.

Listen to the Week 7 Podcast (6:13 minutes)
Or, if you prefer, read the transcript. PDF)

Good luck on your final project!

IT 111 Week 6 Podcast - Summer 2008

This is a screen snapshot of Mark Meyer's web site. He teaches ART 210 - Computer Art and I'm highly recommending this class to those who want to take more classes that relate to web design and development. Mark is a GREAT instructor!

This podcast has a few announcements, a quick overview of XHTML forms and the Chapter 9 Assignment, and some tips for the final project.

Listen to the Week 6 Podcast (4 minutes)
Or, read the transcript, if you prefer (PDF)

IT 111 Week 5 Podcast Summer 2008

This podcast has several announcements, some ideas from the Edward Tufte workshop I attended last week, and a brief overview of Chapter 7.

The web site for WebAnywhere, a web-based application for blind people that allows them to use public computers, is shown to the left. I've been thinking a lot about accessibility and decided to include a short audio portion from the WebAIM screen reader simulator in this podcast, too. I've mentioned screen reader devices this quarter and this will give you a chance to hear what they sound like.

Listen to the Week 5 Podcast (5:38 minutes)
Or, read the transcript if you prefer (PDF)

Feel free to leave a comment!

IT 111 Week 4 Podcast - Summer 2008

This podcast has some announcements, a book recommendation, and tips for the Chapter 6 Assignment. The book I highly recommend is shown to the left - Don't Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability. The NSCC Library has 2 copies of it if you'd like to check it out.

I must say, I can hardly believe we are already half way through the quarter. Thanks to all of you who are keeping up and doing such great work!

Listen to the Week 4 Podcast (4 minutes)
Or, read the transcript if you prefer (PDF)

IT 111 Week 3 Podcast - Summer 2008

This is a short video (4:21 minutes) I took during our Fourth of July celebration last week. I used my Flip Video Camera to film these activities.

This week's podcast has some announcements as well as some discussion of important topics from Chapter 4 on Visual Elements and Graphics. There's also an introduction to the Chapter 5 Assignment.

Listen to the Week 4 Podcast (6:02 minutes)
Or, read the podcast transcript (PDF)

IT 111 Week 2 Podcast

This week you'll start learning Cascading Style Sheets or CSS. The screen snapshot at the left shows the W3School CSS Reference which I highly recommend you bookmark or favorite. It explains each of the properties used in CSS and also has "Try it yourself demos" so you can see immediately if you're getting the new concepts.

This week's podcast has some announcements as well as information on my communication style and grading practices. It also has some tips on the Chapter 3 Assignment due on Thursday, July 3.

Have a good 4th of July, everyone.

Listen to the Week 2 Podcast (4 minutes)
Or, read the transcript (PDF)

Week 1 Podcast - Summer 2008

I hope you've watched the short welcome video (1:17 minutes) linked above. I know some of you won't be able to attend the information session tonight but watching the video will give you a chance to meet me.

This week's podcast has several announcements and an overview of the Chapter 2 Assignment. We are jumping right into XHTML so fasten your seat belts! Also, this assignment is rather long so please get started on it right away. With summer quarter being so short, we don't have any time to waste.

The podcast and transcript are linked below. Enjoy!

Week 1 Podcast (5:55 minutes)
Week 1 Podcast Transcript (PDF)

IT 111 Week 5 Podcast - Spring 2008

This screen snapshot is what I'm calling my "15 minutes of fame" because I'm the featured educator in a newsletter from the software company that I use for making the tutorials and demos for our class. So far, I've been contacted by someone from Ireland and Washington State. I couldn't resist sharing this with you.

This weeks podcast has some announcements and a brief overview of Chapter 4 and Assignment 4. I'll also be producing a special podcast at the end of the week after I attend a conference at Microsoft. Listen to the podcast to find out why! By the way, I'm giving presentations on podcasting and screencasting at the conference. I'm also giving a three hour workshop at a conference in Spokane. So, this is a busy week for me.

Listen to the Week 5 podcast (5:03 minutes)
Or, read the transcript if you prefer. PDF

Feel free to leave a comment.

IT 111 Week 4 Podcast - Spring 2008

This week's podcast has an announcement, a brief discussion of my communication style and grading strategy, and tips for Assignment 3. You'll be learning about web safe colors and using CSS to format color and text in this assignment.

The screen snapshot is of the W3Schools CSS reference page. It lists all the common properties used in CSS and I encourage you to bookmark or favorite it. I find it an extremely handy list and refer to it on a regular basis. Please check it out!

Listen to the Week 4 Podcast (4:21 minutes)
Or, if you prefer, read the transcript. PDF

Feel free to leave a comment, too.

IT 111 Week 2 Podcast Spring 2008

The week 2 podcast for IT 111 includes some course updates and gives an overview of the assignments that are due this week and next. The video (about 8 and a half minutes long) I've embedded above will be helpful when you start working on Assignment 2.

Listen to the Week 2 Podcast (4 minutes)
Or, read the transcript if you prefer. (PDF)

Welcome to IT 111 - Week 1 Spring 2008

This is a short (55 seconds) welcome video that I created with my Flip Video camera.

I've just finished the first podcast for the class. I'll add a link to it (and the written transcript) below. It has some announcements, information about the podcasts I'll be producing this quarter, and an overview of Assignment 0 and Quiz 0.

There's an information session scheduled for Tuesday, April 1 from 7pm - 7:50pm in IB 3406. I hope you can come because I enjoy meeting the students who'll be taking the class.

I've also created an online orientation that everyone needs to watch. It's in several parts and the whole thing takes about 30 minutes to view. It will give you important information on the course goals, the requirements, and how the class works. The first quiz will cover both the orientation and the syllabus. Make sure you watch the orientation before you take the quiz.

Welcome to IT 111.

Listen to the Week 1 Podcast (4:33 minutes).
Or, if you prefer, read the transcript. PDF

View the Online Orientation
Get a copy of the handouts that accompany the orientation.

IT 111 Week 10 Podcast

This is the final podcast of the quarter and it focuses on the final project and how you can get the best score possible. Remember this is 25% of your final grade!

Why don't you print out a copy of the grading sheet and use it as I explain each of the grading elements?

Listen to the Week 10 podcast. (6:17 minutes)
Or, read the transcript if you prefer. PDF

IT 111 Week 9 Podcast

This podcast include announcements, some information about Assignment 7 and Chapter 10, and tips for the final web site project.

Don't forget to check out the Chapter 10 updates from the textbook web site. There's an error in the textbook and you'll want to know about it in advance before you get frustrated.

Speaking of the textbook web site, you might want to use the Chapter 4 page to find free-to-use images and logo and navigation button generators for your final project. Past students have found them helpful.

You can also find images at Flickr. Many are available as long as you give the author credit.

Listen to the Week 9 Podcast. (3:25 minutes)
Or, read the transcript if you prefer. PDF

IT 111 Week 8 Podcast

I took this picture during the lunar eclipse on February 20th. It didn't turn out too well because I didn't use a tripod but I'm glad I spent some time watching the eclipse.

This podcast has some course updates and information about Assignment 6. I hope everyone has noticed that I've extended the due dates for Assignment 6, Quiz 6, Assignment 7, and Quiz 7. Also, there are come Chapter 6 updates that you should review before you start working on Assignment 6.

I'm ordering online course evaluations that will be sent to the email address that's on file with the college. Visit the Online Student Kiosk to make sure it is correct.

Listen to the IT 111 Week 8 Podcast. (3:48 minutes)
Or, if you prefer, read the transcript. (PDF)

I hope everyone is getting a chance to enjoy the spring-like weather we've been having!

IT 111 Week 7 Podcast

This is a short tutorial (3:30 minutes) that provides 4 tips for avoiding CSS validation errors. I hope you'll find it helpful.

This podcast has some information about Assignment 5 which is based on Chapter 9 in the textbook. Notice that we are skipping around again. I also hope everyone is aware that I've extended the due date for Assignment 5 to Thursday, February 21. It might take a bit longer to understand how Cascading Style Sheets work and to complete the assignment which is a little longer than some others.

I encourage you to make the W3Schools CSS Reference List a bookmark or favorite. It is an excellent resource for coding your CSS.

Have a good holiday weekend everyone but don't wait too long to start Chapter 9 and Assignment 5.

Listen to the IT 111 Week 7 Podcast. 3:21)
Or, read the transcript if you prefer. (PDF)

IT 111 Week 6 Podcast

This podcast includes some general course information, an introduction to the second discussion assignment, and some advice on studying for the test next week. Discussion 2 gives you practice in applying the web design principles from Chapter 7 in our textbook. In addition, I found a great article from Smashing Magazine called "10 Principles of Effective Web Design." I encourage you to read it.

I've also included a short recording I made from a screen reader simulator that will give you a real world example of how blind people experience the web. You can access the simulator yourself. At the very least, it will help you understand why it's important to include the title and summary attributes in your table tags.

Listen to the Week 6 Podcast. (4:56 minutes)
Or, read the transcript if you prefer. PDF

IT 111 Week 5 Podcast

The screen snapshot on the left is from the ColorMaker - a helpful web-based tool for picking good colors for a web page or site. I encourage you to use it when selecting colors for your final web site project. It, along with some other helpful sites are linked from the Class Links page on the course web site.

This podcast includes an overview of Chapter 4, which covers colors and images, and Assignment 4. Even though this isn't a web graphics class, I want students to be able to edit images so they look good and download quickly on the web. If you don't have an image editing program like Photoshop Elements or PaintShop Pro on your computer, you can download and use Picasa- a free image editing program by Google. If you're working on a Mac, you'll probably want to use iPhoto instead.

Finally, in order to complete the Chapter 4 updates on your case study, you'll need to get the Textbook Student Data Files from WebCT.

Listen to the Week 5 Podcast (6:55 minutes)
Or, if you prefer, read the transcript. (PDF)

IT 111 Week 4 Podcast

The screen snapshot to the left shows the Seattle PI front page story on online learning which features North Seattle Community College. If you missed it yesterday (1-22), you can read it online.

Anyone for a "virtual office hour?" If you're having problems with an assignment, contact me via email or Meebo and we can set up a time to talk. I'm using a program called Gizmo Project that allows me to receive calls on my computer for a small annual fee ($36/year). We can discuss your problems in real time and work together to figure out how to fix them.

This podcast also discusses my grading strategy and gives some tips for Assignment 3.

Listen to the podcast (4:27 minutes)
Or, if you prefer, read the transcript. PDF.

Is anybody listening? Feel free to leave a comment.

IT 111 Podcast #2 for Winter 2008

This podcast took a bit longer to produce than I expected. I'm still getting software installed and tested on my new computer and it's been very time consuming.

The main focus of this podcast is Assignment 2 - your first web coding assignment. Get an early start on it since you'll need to download and install a few programs to complete all the tasks. All this software is listed and linked on the Tips Page which is where you can find the ePacket, too. Make sure you watch the tutorials (found on the Tutorials Page). They should help you a lot as you work on the assignment.

In addition to the short movie above, there are some excellent resources for Chapter 2 on the Class Links Page. One of them is the W3Schools XHTML Reference - a list of all the XHTML elements or tags and how they are used. There's also a web page that has plain English explanations for the error messages you might receive when you validate your pages.

Listen to the second podcast (4 minutes)
Or, if you prefer, read the transcript. (PDF)

Feel free to leave a comment!

IT 111 Week 1 Podcast for Winter 2008

I'll be producing a short weekly podcast for our class this quarter and this first podcasts explains why and how I'm using them.

One of my favorite Christmas presents was a flip video camera, pictured in the image on the left. It takes decent videos that are easy to upload to YouTube or just watch on your computer. Find out more about it by going to the Flip Video web site. My welcome video was recorded with it.

Listen to the Week 1 Podcast. (2:52 minutes)
Read the transcript if you prefer. PDF

Feel free to leave a comment!