 Number 210 - November 2000 |
| On-line learning An HTML Writer's Guild Course Review | ||
| by Gail Pittsford, Tacoma Open Group for Microcomputers | ||
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First, let me say that I am all for on-line courses!
Second, I am sure that they vary in quality. Third, they are not for everybody. We all learn differently. I have taken two different types of on-line instruction: "Solo" and Instructor-led. The first type, such as that provided by Netg, leaves you basically on your own. It is pretty inflexible; there are no manuals and no resources to refer to if you have questions. I just finished taking an instructor led course through HWG (HTML Writer's Guild): this is my review. Based on my experience, I would recommend that anyone interested in taking instructor led on line courses take a look at HWG (http://www.hwg.org) There is a modest membership fee ($40), but you don't have to join to take the courses; however, you pay a bit more, as you would expect. The current courses being offered are: Introduction to HTML 4.0 Creating Web Graphics with Paint Shop Pro Designing for Universal Accessibility with HTML 4.0 Introduction to Cascading Style Sheets Sites that Sizzle: Web Animation with Macromedia Flash 4 Programming with Active Server Pages The HWG course I recently completed was Sites that Sizzle: Web animation with Macromedia Flash 4. It was six weeks in length (a grueling six weeks!) and well worth the $60.00 fee. The manual was an additional cost (and the Flash 4 program itself, if you don't already own it). Those that pass receive a certificate ($5.00). The instructor posts a weekly lecture plus an assignment. There is a free discussion area and an area pertaining to questions about the present lesson. Both areas support interactive feedback from students and instructors (in this case, an instructor and a TA). There were many lively and highly informative discussions in these areas each week. This helped to make the course more "close up and personal". The students have one week to pore over the mystic symbols in the reading assignment in the manual (just kidding; the manual used in the course was excellent; between the lectures, assistance provided and hands on, gut wrenching labor, the mysterious became obvious). My learning curve included reading and rereading the assignment and doing the exercises suggested in the manual. |
Then, when I thought I
knew what I was doing, I attempted the assignment. When I realized I
didn't know what I was doing, I started posting HELP! messages in the
question area. I'm sure it varies from person to person, and assignment
to assignment, but I can assure you that I did not have much of a life
while I pursued this course. (Obsessed may be overstating it, but not by
much!)
At some point, preferably before the Sunday midnight deadline, you are required to post a completed "masterpiece". All of the students post links to their web site where the finished assignments reside. Half the fun is viewing the other students clever little pieces. It is also quite humbling; there are some extremely talented and creative people out there! The instructor then examines and critiques the offerings and posts his comments for all the world to see. Actually, the posted critiques are extremely helpful. If someone gets their assignment in early, you can learn from the instructor's comments on those movies. The grading is simple: not posted, incomplete, complete and noteworthy. Boy, did I work hard to get a noteworthy, but I finally achieved one! Out of the six lessons, you must receive a complete on three of the first five and on the sixth and last. Creativity and razzle dazzle will not save you if you do not follow the assignment as written. The course lures you in with a fairly basic and simple first lesson and clobbers you with a magnificent but difficult finale. As of this writing, the grades for the last assignment are not in; this is the MUST PASS or all of your efforts have gone for nothing. If I don't pass, I will be despondent, which can lead to......ahh, but that is another story! In summary, although you lose the advantage of working at your own pace, the classroom atmosphere of participation is a plus. By the end of the course, you feel you know your instructors and the other students. The availability of a forum for asking questions, sharing and discussion enhanced my experience. One on one critiques of the assignments were much more helpful than "wrong answer; try again". Because the instructor's assistance is less immediate than in a physical classroom, one tries to work answers out on one's own, thus putting more concentration and thought on it. I think this is an advantage; the harder it comes, the better it sticks! I give the course and the concept (of instructor-led courses) a ten.
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Number 210 - November 2000
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