In my Web Design 2 class this semester, I've decided to just totally redo the curriculum. As I shared the other day with a link I posted, I am done with Flash. And, I need to refocus and teach more about preparing sites for mobile use and responsive web design. So, I've been learning.
But, I wanted something fun to do as we introduce this topic and ran across this neat little web quiz:
WHICH POPULAR WEB DESIGN TREND ARE YOU?
It's a "fun" thing that has you answer 10 questions and then pegs you into a certain category. I love it! I got Flat Design by the way (oh, man). Not sure what all of the choices are, but presumably fixed (glad I wasn't that one) and responsive have to be on there.
Then, I will be able to lead into those various types of design techniques. I'm actually pretty pumped!
Oh, and here's my explanation for my flat design personality... lol:
"Just like Flat Design, you are practical and straightforward. You tell it like it is, no sugar coating, no bells and whistles. Though sensitive ears may find you blunt and outspoken, most people will appreciate your bold voice of reason. Your cool confidence impresses those around you, and your drama-free attitude puts people at ease. You are content to spend your leisure time just shootin' the breeze with friends."
Pretty. Much. On. Point.
Showing posts with label web design. Show all posts
Showing posts with label web design. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Computer Keyboarding Rant...is Typing a Lost Art? #busedu
We had a meeting today to discuss our grades 6-12 curriculum. It was time spent talking in our vertical team with administration present about new course offerings and what should be offered when.
Coming out of this meeting, I had a thought. Is keyboarding even a thing anymore? Honestly.
I find it incredibly useful to know how to touch type. I know it makes me much more efficient, especially when typing long documents or in web design when coding. I don't know how someone could code quickly if they had to look down at their fingers constantly. But, my own 13-year old daughter doesn't type "properly" with her hands on her home row. She doesn't look (too much) but she doesn't use the right fingers. She was formally taught to type in 7th grade last year, but the teacher doesn't correct her form. And, why would she? The girl types over 40 wpm most of the time and often times, closer to 60!
I found this article dated November 24, 2014, about how he feels that for many programmers, the "single big efficiency improvement that can be made to their technique is to learn to touch type."
The author (a computer programmer) also states, "What really amazes me, is that after years of doing it and getting by, many programmers like a lot of other computer users don't know that there is a right way to type. They have just observed the simple fact that some people seem to be able to type faster than they can and sort of assume that it must be just practice - and one day they will get to the same level of speed."
I just wonder if this generation of youth honestly don't see a reason to know how to type. I know that they see the ol' QWERTY keyboard on their phones when they text people. And, we all know they can text faster with two thumbs than I can with 10 fingers. I presume that means they know where the letters are. But, they pretty much all learn first on an iPad or some sort of device (admit it, your 5 year old uses an iPad!) and teaching them to "type right" at the age of 13 would require slowing them down. Most students have no interest in that.
Many programmers (who responded on the comments on that article) claim to be getting by just fine with a hunt and peck method. Others say that "composing" code is more about figuring out what to write and not doing it fast. But, in a classroom of computers, I would almost bet that my faster typists (of course, fast doesn't mean proper technique!) are also my strongest computer students. Maybe I'm wrong, but I'd love to do that research.
As a teacher who doesn't teach that age and who doesn't teach typing since I'm in a senior high school, I am just curious how others feel about this. Is typing a lost art? I'm beginning to wonder.
Coming out of this meeting, I had a thought. Is keyboarding even a thing anymore? Honestly.
I find it incredibly useful to know how to touch type. I know it makes me much more efficient, especially when typing long documents or in web design when coding. I don't know how someone could code quickly if they had to look down at their fingers constantly. But, my own 13-year old daughter doesn't type "properly" with her hands on her home row. She doesn't look (too much) but she doesn't use the right fingers. She was formally taught to type in 7th grade last year, but the teacher doesn't correct her form. And, why would she? The girl types over 40 wpm most of the time and often times, closer to 60!
I found this article dated November 24, 2014, about how he feels that for many programmers, the "single big efficiency improvement that can be made to their technique is to learn to touch type."
The author (a computer programmer) also states, "What really amazes me, is that after years of doing it and getting by, many programmers like a lot of other computer users don't know that there is a right way to type. They have just observed the simple fact that some people seem to be able to type faster than they can and sort of assume that it must be just practice - and one day they will get to the same level of speed."
I just wonder if this generation of youth honestly don't see a reason to know how to type. I know that they see the ol' QWERTY keyboard on their phones when they text people. And, we all know they can text faster with two thumbs than I can with 10 fingers. I presume that means they know where the letters are. But, they pretty much all learn first on an iPad or some sort of device (admit it, your 5 year old uses an iPad!) and teaching them to "type right" at the age of 13 would require slowing them down. Most students have no interest in that.
Many programmers (who responded on the comments on that article) claim to be getting by just fine with a hunt and peck method. Others say that "composing" code is more about figuring out what to write and not doing it fast. But, in a classroom of computers, I would almost bet that my faster typists (of course, fast doesn't mean proper technique!) are also my strongest computer students. Maybe I'm wrong, but I'd love to do that research.
As a teacher who doesn't teach that age and who doesn't teach typing since I'm in a senior high school, I am just curious how others feel about this. Is typing a lost art? I'm beginning to wonder.
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
Emoji scoring scale... trying it out!
It was finally time to take a grade in Web Design class now that they've been coding a little bit. I decided to create an Emoji scoring scale for this so they can see where they rank in regards to proper coding. Here's what I came up with! Let's hope they don't hate it tomorrow when they get them back. Fortunately, lots of good grades!
Thursday, August 20, 2015
Foldable for Web Design Basic HTML Structure
I'm trying really hard to do "new engaging" stuff this year. So, looking at my pirate hooks poster, I decided to try a "Craft Store" hook idea for Web Design. I just introduced the basic HTML structure yesterday. Next, I want to have them create a foldable to help them remember the structure.
I usually draw HTML man and use him to illustrate the concept. Sometimes I put a hat on him, but this time, I just put a question mark above his head.
Notice, since the title tag is inside the head tag, he has title teeth. Clever, eh? Sometimes, he wears title sunglasses. I'll give them the option.
So, what do you think? :)
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Found a Cool HTML Tool for Web Design Class! #webdesignclass #freestuff
Today, on my prep hour, I was looking for an HTML playground website to use in my class and ran across a cool online tool called LiveWeave. It's got some Dreamweaver-like features but also a collaborative element (I hope to try that out soon!). Check out my short webcast! :)
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