[Hidden-tech] Help me rewrite an old Programming / Web Development Curriculum? CMS, Language, Frameworks

[Michael Muller]

Bram,

I'm on the web/programming class advisory panel for the Tech School, and 
my advice to them was the following:

  * Start with the simplest, most foundational level possible, so they
    understand what it's all about
      o Intro to HTTP, FTP, etc
      o SimpleHTML
      o Simple CSS
      o Simple programming (PHP? ASP? Python?)
      o Connecting to a database
      o SELECT records in a bare-bones page
          + Simple li page navigation w/ content below
          + Button to create new page (INSERT)
          + Form to edit text on page and UPDATE to DB (the "aha" lesson)
          + Uploading files through HTML
  * Introduction to simplest CMS to compareto above
  * Intro to Wordpress, Drupal, Joomla, etc
  * Work you way into JavaScript
  * Cover simple server management and how all components connect
  * Review popular control panels like Plesk, etc
  * Return to HTML with code libraries for fun interactivity
  * Tack on Bootstrap or FlexBox for good measure

I've hired people out of GCCand they mentioned that they don't know HTML 
or CSS, or fully understand the relationship between the page and the 
database and what's actually going on behind the browser.Makes it hard 
to be a real "developer."

Mik

Mik Muller, owner
Montague WebWorks
413-320-5336
http://MontagueWebWorks.com
Powered by ROCKETFUSION

On 9/11/2017 10:50 AM, Bram Moreinis wrote:
> Hi, Noah.
>> To clarify:  Is this one class, or a sequence of classes?  If a 
>> sequence, how many courses?bIf it is only one class, you may too 
>> ambitious.
> It's a vocational school - so we meet five days a week, the whole day, 
> every other week for an entire year. Such luxury! Plenty of time.
>
> The course is called "Programming and Web Development" so I need both 
> front- and back-end.  But the coding does not have to be web coding 
> ... I could do front end (Javascript) and Wordpress, and then use 
> Python or Java for coding.
>
> But still may be too ambitious -- these are not college students, and 
> many are not committed to becoming programmers.
>> My main thought: remove as much friction and ceremony as possible, 
>> and get them publishing things and having fun quickly.
> I agree with you.  But ALSO - given how much time we have - get those 
> who want them marketable skills.
>> Focusing on front end development might give the students the most 
>> bang for their buck.  The landscape of CSS / HTML / JS is 
>> overwhelming enough.  (You might not remember how confusing it was to 
>> get relative links to work for the first time).
> They have been learning CSS & HTML for two years - they know that 
> pretty well already.  When I get them, they have to progress from 
> static Dreamweaver HTML sites to data-driven sites with server 
> applications.  BUT - they don't need to learn php to know Wordpress - 
> just enough to edit templates.
>> I recommend finding a simple and disposable deployment strategy. 
>> Something like https://surge.sh/  Advanced students could move on to 
>> exploring javascript view frameworks, connecting to hosted database 
>> solutions like firebase, or using local file storage.
> I will look into that! Thank you.
>> If your curriculum spans several courses, and you are committed to 
>> addressing the full stack then *option 4* makes the most sense to me. 
>> Python has been heralded as a great introductory language, with many 
>> applications.
> Thank you.  That affirms Jeff's feedback. Looking forward to hearing 
> others, 'specially Paul.
>
> -Bram
>
>
> -- 
>
> Martin Bram Moreinis, Designer/Developer
> http://myinstructionaldesigns.com
> (413) 829-0355
>
>
> /This email is intended for educational use only and must comply with 
> Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School’s policies and 
> state/federal laws. Under Massachusetts Law, any email created or 
> received by an employee of Pathfinder is considered a public record.  
> All email correspondence is subject to the requirements of M.G.L. 
> Chapter 66. This email may contain confidential and privileged 
> material for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any review or 
> distribution by others is strictly prohibited. If you are not the 
> intended recipient, please contact the sender and delete all copies./
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Hidden-discuss mailing list - home page: http://www.hidden-tech.net
> Hidden-discuss at lists.hidden-tech.net
>
> You are receiving this because you are on the Hidden-Tech Discussion list.
> If you would like to change your list preferences, Go to the Members
> page on the Hidden Tech Web site.
> http://www.hidden-tech.net/members

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.hidden-tech.net/pipermail/hidden-discuss/attachments/20170911/eb3574bb/attachment.html