JavaScriptThe Five Critical Questions

The Five Critical Questions

1. What material will this course cover?

2. How will this course be presented?

3. What will be required of me?4. How will my work be graded?5. What will I be able to do after

having taken this course?

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“It’s in the Syllabus”

• All five of these questions are simultaneously answered in the course Syllabus but in a more formalized manner and language.

• You may think of the Syllabus as a contractual document, wherein I tell you what is required. This is why it is important that you read it.

• Shortly I will be asking you to read it in detail and then to confirm to me that you have read it.

• In the mean time, this presentation will serve as an easy to understand guide to get you started.

What material will this course cover?

This course covers the following subjects…

1. Basic JavaScript Language 2. Basic Programming Concepts3. Basic Agile Software Projects

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How will this course be presented?

This is an INTRODUCTORY course:

• It is specifically designed for non-computer science majors or those just entering the computer science major

• If you are new to JavaScript and programming, we will give you lots of guidance and support.

• If you already have some JavaScript experience we will put you to work assisting those who do not—but in situations that will give you practice with what you already know.

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How will this course be presented?

Instruction will be divided into 3 phases:• The first phase Weeks 2-6 emphasizes language

learning, i.e., Javascript coding, syntax, objects

• The second phase Weeks 7-11 emphasizes programming, i.e., using the language we have learned to make useful things happen

• The third phase Weeks 12-16 emphasizes project development, i.e., student collaboration in the design & construction of programming projects

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How will this course be presented?

There will be 3 “lectures” each week:• Lectures will consist of one or more

VoiceThread presentations, supporting materials and resources, as well as appropriate outside links.

• One lecture (with supporting materials) will be posted in the evening of each Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday of the week.

• You may respond to each lecture at any point during the week—individually or en masse—but all lectures must be viewed and all work completed no later than Sunday by 11:59 PM.

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How will this course be presented?

The reasoning behind 3 “lectures” format:• Language learning—and JavaScript is a language

—is most effective when taken in smaller digestible bites presented in a steady progression followed by regular and consistent practice.

• It reduces the intimidation factor. Make no mistake, JavaScript is a very big, complex language. When taken in small, manageable bites it is much more approachable and less daunting.

• This format will also allow you to adapt the learning process to one that best fits your own work style and learning habits.

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How will this course be presented?

Week One: Preliminaries and Set Up

• How to use VoiceThread• The Five Critical Questions• The Syllabus (downloaded, read,

confirmed)• Eloquent JavaScript (text and support

apps)• Notepad++, TextWrangler, text editors• The Toolbox Concept and Process

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What will be required of me?

There are 3 keys to success in this course:

• Do the work• Stay in practice

• Build an active support network

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What will be required of me?

Bottom LineIf you do the work in a regular and timely manner; if you return to and practice what you have learned; and if you reach out for assistance as the need arises…

you will do well in this course.

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How will my work be graded?

• As previously stated, this course will be divided into 3 phases.

• In the first phase there will be little in the way of grading other than evidence of participation.

• Please note that the course materials are all set up so that I can track your level of participation. Given its importance, and the nature of the language learning process, participation will account for

33% of your final grade.

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How will my work be graded?

• In the second phase there will be a number of programming exercises.

• Time and direction will be provided for you to practice these exercises before submitting them. The submissions will act as quizzes and will each be graded.

• Additionally, during this phase the “Toolbox” you began populating in the first phase will be submitted several times and will act as an ongoing “essay” which will be graded.

• Taken together these quizzes and essay will also account for

33% of your final grade.

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How will my work be graded?

• In the third phase there will be a number of projects.

• Again, time and direction will be provided for you to practice these projects before submitting them. The submissions will act as quizzes and will each be graded.

• A final project will be assigned towards the end of the semester. You will be asked to work in small teams. This final project will act as test.

• Taken together these quizzes and test will also account for

33% of your final grade.14

What will I be able to do after having taken this course?

It is not the intention of this course to make you all JavaScript programmers. This is an introductory course. What you learn here will, however…

o give you sufficient knowledge to appreciate the value of both the JavaScript language and programming to your career,

o firmly position you to continue either JavaScript or programming studies if you have either the need or the interest.

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