IT 111 Podcast #1 for Summer, 2007

This podcast introduces IT 111 Internet and Web Authoring using XHTML. I'll be experimenting with two communication tools this quarter. One of them is Skype (web page pictured to the left) and the other is Meebo. Listen to the podcast or read the transcript to find out more.

I've created an online version of the orientation for those who can't attend the on-campus orientation on Tuesday, June 26. The orientation will help you understand how the class works and I guarantee you'll be more successful if you take the time to watch it. The orientation is organized into five parts and it takes about 30 minutes to watch the entire thing. You'll find a link to it on the course web site.

Listen to Podcast #1 (4:35 minutes)
Or, read the transcript if you prefer!

Please feel free to add a comment.

IT 111 Podcast #10 for Spring, 2007

This weeks podcast has some class announcements, tips for the final project, and a discussion about password management systems. The screen snapshot to the left shows the Lifehacker blog posting on handling passwords. Read the entire posting called Track your passwords ten different ways.


I've decided to make taking the second test optional and the podcast explains why. If you want to take the test, it will be held on Thursday, June 14 from 5pm - 7:30pm in TB 1643B.

The quarter is almost over and next week will be my last podcast for the class.

Listen to the Week 10 podcast (4:39 minutes)
Or, if you prefer, read the podcast transcript. (PDF format)

IT 111 Podcast#9 for Spring, 2007

This week's podcast has course announcements, a few comments on Chapter 10, and some resources for the final web site project. The screen snapshot to the left shows a forms-based tool called "List-o-matic" that helps create CSS navigation for a web site. You decide on the number of navigation links, the link text and their URLs and then select a style. The CSS and XHTML code are generated for you and you can copy and paste it into your own code. Very cool. The URL for "List-o-matic" is http://www.accessify.com/tools-and-wizards/developer-tools/list-o-matic/.

Another resource for your final project is from a recent posting entitled Who Needs Headlines? from the blog A List Apart. It offers several interesting ideas for headlines that can seduce visitors into your web site. Since several of you are creating web sites for selling products or services, I thought it might help you write the copy for your project home page. Find the article at http://www.alistapart.com/articles/whoneedsheadlines.

Listen to the Week 9 Podcast. (5 minutes)
Or, if you prefer, read the transcript. (PDF format)

IT 111 Podcast #8 for Spring, 2007

This is a photo taken last weekend of my great nephew and me. He is about 5 weeks old in this picture and a real cutie, I think.

This podcast has some tips about Assignment 6 which has a new due date because of the holiday weekend. Now it is due on Wednesday, May 30. You'll want to listen to the podcast or read the transcript before you get too far into Chapter 6 and the assignment.

Thanks for the positive feedback on last week's podcast. And, have a great Memorial Day Weekend. It even looks like we'll have nice weather - a special treat.

Listen to the Week 8 podcast. (4:14 minutes)
Or, read the transcript if you prefer. (PDF format)

IT 111 Podcast #7 for Spring 2007

This podcast is a little late but I hope you'll find the content worth waiting for! I attended an event at Microsoft on Friday, May 18 called the Center for Information Technology Excellence 2007 IT Education Futures Summit. IT faculty from community colleges around the state attended and one of the most worthwhile presenations was on employment and hiring for IT students. Listen to the podcast for a summary of this presentation. I've also included some updates on Assignment 5 which is due next Tuesday, May 22.

Listen to the Week 7 podcast. (6:43 minutes)
Or, read the transcript, if you prefer. (PDF format)

Here's a link to the NSCC Career Services web site. I think you'll find it a helpful resource if you're preparing to hit the job market soon.

IT 111 Podcast #6 for Spring 2007

Better late than never, here is the Week 6 podcast. It has some information about the first test and Assignment 5 which covers Cascading Style Sheets. I'm also including a link to a blog posting from A List Apart on CSS. It gives several reasons why you shouldn't be afraid of learning this new type of code and why you'll like it once you learn more about it.

One last reminder, don't wait too long to start working on Assignment 5!

Listen to the Week 6 podcast (3:40 minutes)
Or, read the transcript if you prefer.

Feel free to post a comment.

IT 111 Podcast #5 for Spring 2007

This podcast has some general course information, an introduction to the next assignment (Discussion 2) and some advice on studying for the first test. This week you'll be reading Chapter 7, Web Site Design, and yes, we are skipping around a bit in the book. I've also recommended a book titled, "Don't Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability" by Steve Krug. If you are interested in the topic of usability, you should definitely check out this book.

I've also included a short audio excerpt from the screen reader simulator that I posted to the course web site last week. It helps us experience what blind people do when they surf the web. If you didn't have time to follow the link last week, have a quick listen to the podcast. The image shown here is a screen snapshot of the simulator.

Listen to the week 5 podcast. (4:59 minutes)
Or, read the transcript if you prefer. PDF format

IT 111 Podcast #4 for Spring 2007

This week's podcast discusses some of the important topics from Chapter 4, provides an overview of Assignment 4 and introduces the Final Web Site project.

This is a screen snapshot of the Web Worker Daily, a blog I recently discovered. One of the postings caught my eye. It highlighted the importance of allowing one's unconscious mind to work on problems during sleep. There is convincing research that shows the more complex a problem or situation is, the better off we are to sleep on it. This made sense to me as I've often found I needed time to figure something out. Click on the link if you'd like to read more about the research.

Listen to Podcast #4 (5:47 minutes long)
Or, read the transcript if you prefer.

Please feel free to leave a comment!

IT 111 Podcast #3 for Spring 2007

In this podcast I'll explain my communication style, share some of the great suggestions from the first discussion, point out a couple new resources I've added to the course web page, and talk a little about my grading strategy. I'll also include a few tips on Assignment 3 which you'll working on this week.

The screen snapshot above is the main Gizmo Project page. This weekend, I sent invitations to everyone in the class to become a Gimzo member and a few students have already joined. Thanks! Gizmo has a free conference calling feature and I bet it would be an easy way to create a study group. I might even try using it for office hours if enough students are interested.

Listen to Podcast #3 (11 minutes in length)
Or, you can read the transcript if you prefer.

Feel free to leave a comment!

IT 111 Podcast #2 for Spring 2007

This is a screen snapshot of "Pageflakes" a start page tool that I discuss in this podcast and I've also added it to the IT 111 Playground page.

Listen to Podcast #2 (5:53 minutes).
Read the podcast transcript.

IT 111 Podcast #1 for Spring 2007

This is a short sample podcast to welcome students to IT 111 - Internet and Web Authoring Using XHTML. I've included some information about the textbook and announced the things that are due this week.

Here is the podcast (2:31 minutes long)
Here is the transcript if you prefer reading rather than listening.

I always welcome comments!

IT 111 Podcast March 15, 2006

This is the final podcast for IT 111. It has some reminders, a request to complete a short survey found in the WebCT quiz section, and information on a really interesting book on web design I've been reading.

Here's a link to the Week 11 Podcast. 3:40 minutes

Here's a link to the transcript.

I highly recommend reading Don't Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability by Steve Krug.

IT 111 Podcast March 8, 2006

This week's podcast has some announcements, an update on the final project, and an introduction to an amazing new search engine I've recently discovered.

Here's a link to the Week 10 Podcast. 3:54 minutes.

Here's a link to the transcript.

Check out Podzinger to search through podcasts for specific information. It is really amazing!

IT 111 Podcast March 1, 2006

This week's podcast has some announcements, course updates, and information on Jean's new technology toys - make that tools.

Here's a link to the Week 9 Podcast. 4:40 minutes

Here's a link to the transcript.

Remember, on Friday, March 3rd, from 5pm - 7pm you won't have access to the course web site, WebCT or your compass web account.

IT 111 Podcast February 22, 2006

This week's podcast has some course announcements and updates.

Here's a link to the Week 8 Podcast. 3:49 minutes

Here's a link to the transcript.

Remember, the course web site, WebCT, and all NSCC web servers will be unavailable on Friday, February 24 from 5 - 7pm.

IT 111 Podcast February 15, 2006

This podcast has some announcements as well as information about the Final Project. The due date for submitting Assignment 6 has been extended by one day and is now due on Wednesday, February 22. If you haven't given me your final project topic yet, please do so by the end of the week (February 17).

I read an article about how the Internet is changing the way people follow the Olympics. I've included the link in case you want to read the whole article.

Here's a link to the Week 7 Podcast. 3:31 minutes.

Here's a link to the transcript.

IT 111 Podcast February 8, 2006

This podcast has information about the test and the next few assignments. Good news! My mom is out of the hospital and staying with my sister until she gets stronger and can go home. I am still trying to get caught up with my grading.

Here's a link to the Week 6 Podcast.

Here's a link to the transcript.

See you tomorrow for the test.

IT 111 Podcast February 2, 2006

This podcast is short and sweet. As I said in an email message today, I've spent the last 6 hours in the Emergency Room with my mom who was admitted to the hospital. I still wanted to get a podcast created today, though. Short and sweet seemed good enough for today.

The next assignment is Discussion #2 and it allows you to apply the design concepts from Chapter 7 to one of two web sites. I am also encouraging you to use the study guide for the first test. It will help you! Please use it!

Finally, it might take me a bit longer than usual to grade your assignments till my mom is better. Thanks in advance for your patience.

Here's a link to the Week 5 Podcast.

Here's a link to the transcript.

IT 111 Podcast Jan 25, 2006

This podcast discusses Chapter 4 and Assignment 4 and also talks about the first test that will take place on Thursday, February 9 in room IB 3406. I'll be putting a study guide online next week to help you focus your studying.

Here's a link to the Week 4 Podcast.

Here's a link to the transcript of the podcast.

IT 111 Podcast Jan 18, 2006

This podcast offers a few more course tips, a brief overview of Assignment 3, and a mention of an article from the Seattle PI on "screen sucking."

Here's a link to the Week 3 Podcast.

Here's a link to the transcript.