Harper College Faculty Member
As a Professor of Computer Information Systems at William Rainey Harper College I've been teaching a variety of web development, web accessibility, e-learning, e-commerce, and computer information systems courses since the previous millennium. Professionally, I have over 20 years of information technology experience which includes software development for various computer platforms (working with the Web since 1996) and teaching graduate courses in information management and database management.
New 6th Edition of Web Development & Design Foundations with HTML5
Expected Publish Date: March 2012
Building on the textbook's successful 5th edition, the 6th edition features a major update from XHTML to introducing HTML5 and CSS3.
The textbook continues to integrate HTML and CSS topics such as text configuration, color configuration, and page layout with an enhanced focus on the topics of design, accessibility, and Web standards. This unique approach prepares students to design web pages that work today in addition to being ready to take advantage of new HTML5 coding techniques of the future.
XHTML syntax is introduced but the focus is HTML5 syntax. New HTML5 elements are presented with an emphasis on coding web pages that work in both current and future browsers.
- New sections introducing HTML5 elements and attributes
- New sections introducing CSS3 properties
- Updated code samples, case studies, and web resources
- Updated accessibility coverage for WCAG 2.0
- Expanded coverage of designing for mobile devices
- Color figures throughout
- Updated reference section for XHTML, HTML5 and CSS topics
- New FTP Tutorial appendix
Basics of Web Design: HTML5 & CSS3
Published March 2011
The Basics of Web Design: HTML5 & CSS3 textbook offers a new approach for a first course on web design or web development. Students build a solid foundation in XHTML, HTML5, and CSS.
Each topic is introduced in two pages with full color printing which should appeal to today's multi-tasking, visual learners. Popular features of my previous textbooks are kept, such as hands-on practice exercises and a case study.
Web Development & Design Foundations
5th Edition Published March 2010
Announcing the 5th edition of Web Development & Design Foundations with XHTML. Besides providing comprehensive coverage of XHTML and CSS, this book introduces the Web design and development process and offers successful strategies for promoting Web sites, including accessibility and standards.
Textbook Companion Web Site
The companion web site at http://webdevfoundations.net contains a page for each chapter in the 5th edition of the textbook with URLs listed in the book, information on emerging trends, additional examples, corrections, and review games.
Building on the textbook's successful 4th edition, the 5th edition features:
- Expanded coverage of CSS
- Expanded coverage of accessibility
- Expanded coverage of design topics
- Updated code samples and web resources
- New section on Domain Name Selection
- New section on Styling for the Mobile Web
The World Organization of Webmasters has designated this book as a recommended learning resource for the WOW Certified Web Designer Associate (CWDSA) certification Exam.
2012 News and Events
January 2012
Presented an e-poster session, Provide Immediate Feedback with an Online Formative Assessment, at the Harper College 2012 Spring TechFest.
2011 News and Events
September 2011
Several of my ideas for teaching online are included in Patti Shank's new book, Online Learning Idea Book: 95 Proven Ways to Enhance Technology-Based and Blended Learning Volume 2.
July 2011
Completed the W3C's Introduction to W3C Mobile Web and Applications Best Practices online course.
June 2011
My professional "bucket list" is complete! The International Journal of Instructional Technology & Distance Learning, published my article, Exploring Community College Student Perceptions of Online Learning, which describes my dissertation research.
May 2011
Need to review concepts from the Basics of Web Design: HTML5 & CSS3 book? There's an app for that!
- iTunes App Store: Basics of Web Design Review
The app provides a mobile way for students to check their knowledge of the concepts and topics in the book. The app features a review quiz for each chapter with 10 randomly chosen questions. Students can review and practice anywhere with this handy app.
March 2011
My new book, Basics of Web Design: HTML5 & CSS3, was published by Addison-Wesley!
Presented a webinar on March 15, 2011, Exploring Community College Student Perceptions of Online Learning, for the Instructional Technology Council, which is a national organization that is a leader in advancing distance education .
January 2011
Presented an e-poster session, Reach Out to Students with Text Messages and Twitter, at the Harper College 2011 Spring TechFest.
Presented the workshop, Supporting Student Success with a Distance Learning Orientation, to Harper College faculty.
2010 News and Events
November 2010
Presented "Exploring Community College Student Perceptions of Online Learning" at the 16th Annual Sloan-C International Conference on Online Learning.
October 2010
Attended the Jossey-Bass Online Teaching and Learning Conference. Inspiring ideas and best practices!
September 2010
Attended the Web Directions USA Conference in Atlanta — what an informative, engaging and inspiring experience!
Panel Member for Harper College Technology Users Group Meeting discussion on: Effective Use of Social Media Tools in the Classroom.
June 2010
Completed the requirements for a Doctor of Education degree from Northcentral University! Dissertation Presentation
April 2010
Completed the Sloan-C Online Workshop: Web Accessibility for Online Learning: A How-To Guide for Creating Accessible Content. Freely available course material.
Presented Engage Visual Learners with a Wordle at a Harper College Bits & Bytes session on April 20, 2010.
Attended the UIC Digital Accessibility Expo on April 19, 2010. It was great to meet Shawn Lawton Henry (W3C WAI Outreach Coordinator) in person. Shawn was one of the reviewers for the Accessibility course material that I created for the Web Standards Project InterAct Curriculum.
Attended the HTML5 Online Conference on April 12, 2010.
March 2010
The 6th edition of my textbook, Web Development & Design Foundations with XHTML, was published by Addison-Wesley!
It was an engaging experience to present the session, Renew & Recharge Your Web Design Course, to fellow community college faculty at the 2010 NCCIA Conference.
Presented the webinar, Renew & Recharge Your Web Design Course, for Pearson Education. Webinar Recording Available
February 2010
Interviewed via Skype by Bill Cullifer, the Director of WOW, about the web development program at Harper College. Interview Recording Available
January 2010
Presented an e-poster session, Engage Visual Learners with a Wordle, at the Harper College 2010 Spring TechFest.