| These are lessons I developed while teaching HTML. I use
the lesson files to project the material while I do the initial presenting
of new topics. I use the practice activities immediately following. I have
more than one activity for each new topic so the class can do one together
with the teacher demonstrating, if necessary, and another independently.
All files for the activities are on this site. Open the file list entitled Practice Files. Right click the file name, then save the file on your disk. I attempted to create activities that allow the student to quickly apply the new topic, without requiring other tasks or typing. Coding HTML is a great learning tool to prepare students for programming. HTML code has rules for statement construction. These rules for statement construction are called syntax. Programming languages all have specific syntax requirements. Often, the most frustrating part of learning a programming language is getting used to the syntax. Coding HTML does not involve any programming logic however. Programming logic is use of program code to direct the flow of a program's operation. Examples are loops, where a set of statements are repeated a number of times and decision making, where a particular portion of the program is used when certain conditions occur. Coding HTML provides a unique opportunity to introduce future computer programmers to language syntax, before getting involved in programming logic. HTML provides great feedback for the student's efforts. HTML documents can be rich in content, graphics, color and design. Another great aspect of working with HTML coding is the lack of software required. You can get started with just a browser and any word processing software that can create a simple text file. A simple text file is a file without any formatting codes embedded in it. You must be sure to save work as a text file, with an htm extension. Of course students can move on to creating webs with software like FrontPage. These are great tools for quickly creating pages. I use FrontPage myself. I do find it useful to know HTML however, because I can adjust the code FrontPage generates afterward, if I need to. If your class publishes work on the internet, please send the URLs and I will include links on this site. Thank you, and good luck! Vicky K. Woodard
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