This course covers client-server architecture, the various technical standards, usability and accessibility, navigation, site structure and information architecture.

This course concentrates on using JavaScript to provide client-side interactivity.

The course covers the Document Object Model, cookies, dynamic HTML, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) and event handlers. The course also covers the impact of client side scripting on factors such as accessibility and internationalisation and examines the various options within client/server architecture.

Passed with 'distinction'.

This course introduces students to the tools and techniques for developing the server side of business applications. It also introduces students to the three-tier architecture to plan an application, estimate client and server workloads, and assess the overall system performance. Through ASP and VBScript, the basic concepts of server-side scripting for creating dynamic content are explored.

By the end of the course, students are able to apply server-side scripting to processing and validating form data, reading and writing server files, tracking users' activities and combine these concepts and skills to create a web application.

This course introduces the basics of database design, through the use of 'entity-relationship' diagrams, and how to construct simple queries using SQL-92. The course also explores an alternative server-side development tool, the ColdFusion server extension with its ColdFusion Mark-up Language (CFML).

By the end of the course students are able to:

• Discuss the role of databases in dynamic website design
• Discuss the criteria used to select an appropriate database server for web applications
• Explain how transaction processing is managed through commitment, and rollback
• Describe the use of Entity-Relationship diagrams for database design and documentation
• Explain the relative performance of native drivers versus ODBC for database connectivity
• Discuss the role of ColdFusion as a development tool within the framework of World Wide Web (WWW) applications
• Utilise CFML tags, CF variables, CF flow control, CF functions and CF action pages with a WWW application
• Construct SQL queries against single and multiple tables
• Utilise ColdFusion to gather and track user preferences within a WWW application

Passed with 'distinction'.

The course highlights the characteristics of Open Source components for use in web applications, and provides an appreciation of the range of tools available with some experience of applying one such scripting tool (PHP) to application development.

By the end of the course students are able to:

• Describe the origins and main actors in the Open Source movement
• Discuss the issues and principles behind Open Source distribution and outline the different licensing terms that can be considered for distribution
• Explain the advantages and disadvantages of applying Open Source components as part of an application
• Describe a range of major Open Source projects
• Describe how Open Source is developed in a distributed fashion and the role of CVS
• Discuss reasons for the growth of PHP for WWW application development
• Apply PHP variables, flow control constructs, and functions to the creation of web pages
• Create PHP scripts to validate form data and create server-side response pages
• Create PHP scripts to process stateless transactions utilising Cookies and Session variables
• Combine these concepts and skills to construct a small web application using PHP

Passed with 'distinction'.

By the end of the course students are able to:

• Explain the role of web server administration in relation to server security, and describe the use of firewalls and proxy servers, access controls and permissions, and application performance monitoring
• Describe the Transaction Cost Analysis method and utilise it to assess system requirements at the capacity planning stage of development
• Explain the role of 'stress testing' and use appropriate tools to assess the capacity of single and clustered web servers
• Discuss a range of tools for monitoring the performance of a web server
• Analyse and interpret performance logs and reports and utilise them for troubleshooting and tuning
• Assess the requirements for and applicability of digital certificates to specific types of application
• Combine these concepts, skills, and strategies into an overall application deployment plan

Final Year Project: Virtual Communities in Cyberspace...dissertation, presentation, 3D VRML web project.

Modules included:

• Interactive Art & Design
• Theory & Design in the Information Age
• Multimedia Software Technology
• Media Theoretical Frameworks
• Multimedia Digital Technology
• Cognition & Interaction

New media designer at the Plymouth College of Further Education producing educational CD-ROMs for distance learning. Responsibilities included planning, storyboarding, designing multimedia materials, editing video and audio and producing graphics.

Modules included:

• Multimedia Design for Education
• Information Communications
• Human-Computer Interactions
• Artificial Intelligence

Modules included:

• Visual Basic
• Project Planning
• Media Theory
• Concept Development

Managing Web Design Projects

The course concentrates on project management specifically for web projects and applies to all design and re-design projects, from the simplest to the most complex. Topics included defining the project, developing a site structure, visual design and testing, production and QA and testing user interaction.

Legal Issues for Web Designers and Content Managers

The purpose of this course is to provide web designers with an overview of legal issues facing web sites today.

Topics include information security, copyright and trademark laws, and social issues relating to cyberspace including privacy, obscenity and defamation.

Project Management

The goals of this course are to understand the role of project management and how to set and manage client expectations, develop a list of key tasks, assign responsibilities, track progress and get progress updates.

Topics included developing a plan, communication skills, managing change and project management software.

Web Content Writing and Editing Course

Examples, discussions and exercises designed to demystify the art and science of effective writing and editing for the e-audience.

Topics included understanding how people use the web, tailoring content for the target audience, legal considerations of publishing and how to effectively edit.

I also completed 'Web Animation with Flash MX', covering motion tweening, morphing shapes, movie clips, scenes and delivering the final Flash movie.

Tutor-led lessons with practical assignments covering web design aspects such as Flash, HTML, video, audio and interactivity.