Lesson Plan 1

TITLE:

Web Authoring Introduction

SUBJECT:

A component of a computer literacy program.

GRADE LEVEL:

This lesson is appropriate for college students who have had some experience using a word processor and the Netscape Web browser.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To use a word processor to create a simple HTML (hypertext markup language) document from a template provided.


2. To verify the correct operation of the Web document created by loading it into the Netscape Web browser.


3. To print the HTML source page from the word processor.


4. To print the resulting page from the Netscape browser.


5. To explain the operation of each of the HTML tags used in the sample document.

RESOURCES/MATERIALS:

• Computer system with access to the World Wide Web, PC compatible or Macintosh, equiped with a word processor or simple editor and Netscape or similar Web browser.


• Work sheet with sample HTML source. The sample should contain two or three links of general interest and one or two paragraphs that the student can replace with information to personalize the page. An example is provided below.


• Online HTML tutorial from Hypertext Markup Language (HTML): Computer Assisted Instruction


• Any basic HTML reference text book.

ACTIVITIES:

1. Read the sample HTML source with the students. Explain the function of each tag and point out the URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) explicitly.


2. Have the students launch Netscape and have them visit each of the URLs used in the sample and take note of what they find so they can add explanations where needed.


3. Launch the word processor or editor to be used and type the sample HTML source adding the requested information in the TITLE, HEADING, explanatory paragraphs, and descriptions of the example links.


4. Save the sample document using the name SAMPLE.HTM using the SAVE AS function making sure that it is saved as a TEXT ONLY format (not the standard word processor document format.)


5. Use the Netscape OPEN FILE operation to load the Web page created as SAMPLE.HTM and examine it for errors and omisions.


6. Edit SAMPLE.HTM to correct any errors, save it again (in TEXT ONLY format), view the edited file in Netscape (make sure to use the RELOAD function of netscape unless Netscape has been exited and relaunched.)


7. When error free, print the source from the word processor (or editor) and the Web page as displayed by Netscape.


8. Have the students use Netscape to visit the HTML tutorial from Hypertext Markup Language (HTML): Computer Assisted Instruction and write brief explanations of the function of each of the tags used in the sample document.

FOLLOW-UP:

The lesson should be evaluated as a mastery exercise requiring a functioning page, the two printed versions of the page, and accurate explanations of all of the HTML elements used. Followup exercises can be created by having students add aditional elements to their basic page or by viewing other similar Web pages and explaining their operation.

A Sample HTML Worksheet