Unit 9 Final Project

This unit is all about the Final Project.

Activity 1 - The parameters

The Final Project for this course is a test--but not your standard paper-and-pencil or true/false multiple-guess type of test. Instead it's a "performance" test. In other words, you will create some web pages that demonstrate what you have learned. The "test" is open book; you can use any notes or information from the website or other websites. But there are limitations:

  • All the work MUST be your own. No fair using templates and/or code you have copied from somewhere else (although there are a limited number of exceptions to this that we will cover later).
  • All multimedia used in your website must be your own or free/open source/public domain (see Unit 2). If you use something from anywhere else, you must cite the source!

The basic rule for the final project is :

YOU NEED A TOPIC OR THEME!

The good news is that you have lots of latitude in choosing your topic. It could be all about your collection of collectible shampoo bottles (I actually know someone who has such a collection!), your bungie-jumping hobby, or it could even be a topic that would serve as a project for another class, such as The History of Presidential Elections or Why More People Should Choose Parking Meter Monitor as a Career. There's nothing like doing two things at once!

It is unwise to choose a topic for which it is difficult to find information or images that are public domain. For example, most Britney Spears photos belong to the news media and CANNOT be freely used--so you can cross that one off your list! Hopefully, you have been collecting resources throughout this class.

Activity 2 - The Requirements

The requirements for your project are as follows:

  • Minimum of 3 web pages
  • Attractive layout
  • External CSS page controlling fonts, styles, etc.
  • All pages must link together with a consistent method of navigation
  • Content must be thematic and coherent
  • Minimum of 2 images per page
  • Minimum of 2 working javascripts (per project)
  • Minimum of 2 links to the outside world
  • Two tables
  • The majority of the work should be original; additional items should have sources cited (e.g. javascript and images)

All your pages, images, and anything else associated with your final project should be saved into the "project" folder that you created in Unit 2. The first page should be "index.html" and other pages should have appropriate file names. When your project is complete, you will email me each page and image separately. I should be able to save it into a folder on my computer labeled "project" and all links and images should still work. (You could test this out by emailing it to a friend, or even to a 2nd email address and saving it elsewhere on your computer!)

Click here for the rubric for grading this project.

(P.S. Unlike "tests" in the "regular" classroom, if you are really stuck, email me and I will give you hints.)

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Activity 3 - Exit Survey

I hope you've enjoyed the course and feel that you have learned a lot! Understanding a bit about web page design is a fun and useful skill.

Once you have completed the Final Project (as well as all previous assignments!), you are almost done with the course. I just have one final request--that you complete an Exit Survey about your experience in this course. It is located at: http://www.o2project.org/phpsurveyor/index.php?sid=1

Thanks--and enjoy your new hobby!