Chapter 9: Basics of Web Design and HTML (Marcovitz, ISTE, 2012)
Critical Information Literacy
Digital Connections in the Classroom(Marcovitz, ISTE, 2012)
At the beginning of this chapter, Marcovitz lists four reasons for people to have a basic understanding of HTML code even if we do not plan on using or teaching it. Reason #4 resonated with me the most. If I have even a basic understanding of how HTML code works (the behind the scene work of my everyday tools), I will be able to use the more simple tools more effectively. Who doesn't want to increase the effectiveness of their blog, wiki, or Moodle?
I thought this chapter had some good practical hints that I could take away and try out without much difficulty. For example, I really like the idea of adding “target=new” to the HTML so that the page opens in a new window or tab. Also the ability to make and edit a “webpage” from a word processing document. All the different ways to make the website appear the way you want it too (font, bolding, indentations, images, tables, etc.) are helpful tips but definitely make me want to use a “WYSIWYG” program that doesn't require me to remember/use all of these protocols and focus on the actual information I'm trying to present on my webpage.
In college, I was the communications director for a club that I was part of. I was responsible for re-doing our website. It sounded fun and exciting at first, but quickly became cumbersome and difficult to keep updated. I forget what program I used, but I definitely spent way to long with the formatting of the site that I barely had any helpful information, pictures, or links. After the week at the STI and the readings, I definitely felt that this chapter was informative but further proved the need for the “WYSIWYG” services. If my only job was to be a website designer/producer then I would definitely be more interested with HMTL, but as I said before I want to understand HTML coding enough to help me use the easier programs in a less frustrated, quicker, and effective way.
At the beginning of this chapter, Marcovitz lists four reasons for people to have a basic understanding of HTML code even if we do not plan on using or teaching it. Reason #4 resonated with me the most. If I have even a basic understanding of how HTML code works (the behind the scene work of my everyday tools), I will be able to use the more simple tools more effectively. Who doesn't want to increase the effectiveness of their blog, wiki, or Moodle?
I thought this chapter had some good practical hints that I could take away and try out without much difficulty. For example, I really like the idea of adding “target=new” to the HTML so that the page opens in a new window or tab. Also the ability to make and edit a “webpage” from a word processing document. All the different ways to make the website appear the way you want it too (font, bolding, indentations, images, tables, etc.) are helpful tips but definitely make me want to use a “WYSIWYG” program that doesn't require me to remember/use all of these protocols and focus on the actual information I'm trying to present on my webpage.
In college, I was the communications director for a club that I was part of. I was responsible for re-doing our website. It sounded fun and exciting at first, but quickly became cumbersome and difficult to keep updated. I forget what program I used, but I definitely spent way to long with the formatting of the site that I barely had any helpful information, pictures, or links. After the week at the STI and the readings, I definitely felt that this chapter was informative but further proved the need for the “WYSIWYG” services. If my only job was to be a website designer/producer then I would definitely be more interested with HMTL, but as I said before I want to understand HTML coding enough to help me use the easier programs in a less frustrated, quicker, and effective way.
My knowing HTML I was able to remove the menu bar on this blog which would lead people to other sites I don't control. Although... using the blogger template and settings did make it helpful. it was very difficult to create web pages back then.
ReplyDeleteReading this chapter made me interested in going back to STI to learn some of the coding that was talked about in the "advanced" Google session. Certainly it would be overwhelming for me at this point, but if I play around with some of the ideas presented in this chapter maybe I'd be a bit more prepared. There are tons of great ideas to try here, as there have been throughout the book, but I definitely like the convenience of the pre-made, WYSIWYG stuff (such as using Blogger and Google Sites).
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