Introduction

The Web Design unit builds on the concepts presented in the previous units by having students apply problem solving strategies to web design; thus, it also serves as a bridge to the Introduction to Programming unit as students move from user to creator. The unit also provides an opportunity to expand upon the issues of ethics and privacy related to the internet that were introduced in the first unit.

The basics of html are introduced as a method for describing features that students can use to design and develop web pages based on their own culture, interests and unique experiences. A variety of stylistic elements of css are included and offer a way of separating style from content—also providing an introduction to the computer science concept of abstraction.

The html and css lessons are scaffolded in order to provide all students an entry point, but it is likely that as students explore they will encounter features they wish to add for which they do not yet know the correct tags. Many students will be able to figure these out on their own and should be encouraged to do so.

Resist the temptation to provide lists of appropriate font and color palettes and/or best layout designs. As students experiment and share their work, challenge them to explain why they chose the features they did and encourage peers to comment. It is important to purposefully incorporate strategies that support the practices

of collaboration and communication that were core to Units 1 and 2. Students should also apply the steps of the problem solving process as they design and implement their web pages.