Overview

COMP 266 is designed to teach beginners how to program for the Web in HTML and JavaScript. By taking this course students will not only acquire some IT skills much needed in the present job market, but also gain some essential insights of computer programming to get ready for later computing courses.

Outline

COMP 266 consists of the following twelve units:

This unit will introduce basic concepts about computer, computer networks, the Internet and the World Wide Web.

This unit will cover the basic tags of HTML.

This unit will teach more advanced tags including table, frame, form, image map etc. Their special uses will be highlighted.

This unit will teach students how to use CSS to program Web pages for easy modification and consistent looking. The students shall gain some understanding of the importance of user interface a computer system should have.

Unit 5 and 6 will teach students how to program in JavaScript. Since many students may not have programmed in any language at all, this unit will start to teach the basics of JavaScript. It takes the advantages of the Web by providing students with an interactive online learning environment, so that students will be able to acquire some programming skills more effectively.

This unit will teach students how to control program flow in JavaScript.

This unit array and string data structures in JavaScript.

This unit will teach students how to define and use functions in JavaScript.

Objects: This unit will teach students how to use objects to program in JavaScript.

This unit will teach students how Web documents and their components are modeled in terms of objects in JavaScript, and how to access these objects from JavaScript programs.

This unit will teach students how events such as mouse motions and keystrokes are modeled in JavaScript, and how to programs with these events in JavaScript.

Client detection, image rollover, banner, color, font, layout, navigation, dropdown and popup menu, animation, audio and video.

The course will be delivered online in tutorial style, although it does have a textbook for students to read when Internet access is not available. Students will find this course inviting and easy to learn.

Evaluation

To receive credit for COMP 266, you must achieve a course grade of at least 50 percent on each assignment, and a grade of at least “D” (50 per cent) on the final exam.

To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.

Course Materials

Textbooks

An Introduction to Web Design and Programming, 1st Edition, Paul Wang, Sanda Katila, Published by Brooks/Cole PB C 2004. ISBN/ISSN: 0-534-39528-7

JavaScript by Example, Ellie Quigley, Publisher: Prentice Hall PTR. ISBN: 0-13-140162-9

Special Course Features

The remainders of the learning materials for Computer Science 266 are:

Distributed in Electronic Format:

• Computer Science 266 Study Guide.

Available from the Course Web Site:

• Tutor Marked Exercises and Instructions,
• A Course Evaluation Form,
• Links to Other Web-based Course Resources.

Available from Other Web Sites:

BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO HTML —
http://archive.ncsa.uiuc.edu/General/Internet/
WWW/HTMLPrimerAll.html

ANIMATED GIF GALLERY —
http://members.aol.com/royalef/galframe.htm

CLIPART LIBRARY —
http://www.clipart.com/

GUIDE TO COMPOSING HTML —
http://www.ology.org/tilt/cgh/

HTML—THE COMPLETE GUIDE —
http://www.emerson.emory.edu/services/html/html.html

BACKGROUNDS AND STUFF —
http://htmlgoodies.earthweb.com/tutors/backgrnd.html

HTML GOODIES —
http://www.htmlgoodies.com/

INDEX OF HTML TAGS —
http://www.willcam.com/cmat/html/crossref.html

THE JAVASCRIPT PRIMERS —
http://www.htmlgoodies.com/primers/jsp/

JAVASCRIPT. COM —
http://www.javascript.com/

CGISCRIPT.NET—FREE JAVASCRIPT ARCHIVE —
http://www.cgiscript.net/site_javascripts.htm

THE JAVASCRIPT PLANET —
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/7116/

JAVASCRIPT KIT —
http://wsabstract.com/

Special Instructional Features

COMP 266 will be offered by computer mediated communications (CMC) mode, and can be completed at the student's workplace or home. It features an interactive online learning and programming environment that will help students to acquire their programming skills more easily.