Year 1 Executive Summary

A summary statement discussing what I have learned over my first year studying Web Design and Development at The University of Abertay Dundee.

Previously, I attended the Business studies (hons) course at Abertay University from which I decided to withdraw – graduating with a diploma – and switch over to Web Design and Development (hons). Since I was very young I have always enjoyed tinkering with computers and in recent years scripting and designing for the web. Specifically I have previous experience with PHPBB theme design and WordPress theme design and have been commissioned to build custom designs in the past. I enjoy blogging and spend a lot of time developing interesting PHP scripts and blogging the results. This is something I plan to do more of in the future as I improve my programming knowledge.

As I have been at Abertay University for some time I am fairly accustomed to the culture of the organisation and feel at home here. Over the past few years I have engaged in many conversations with fellow students who have described to me there thoughts and feelings about their courses. I had questioned whether the Business Studies Course was right for me and it took me a while to eventually decide I wanted to go down a different road. One oriented towards creation rather than observation.

The web design course stood out to me as a modern and well resourced course which had the bonus of being accredited by BSC, the Chartered Institute for IT. I had heard and read about the VIVA system operated by the CES – School of Computing and Engineering Systems – which I thought was an excellent method of assessment a step ahead of classic examinations. I have always been interested in the business side of the internet and how it is used as a market place. Embarking on small web hosting ventures on and off since high school, studying Web Design and Development seemed a logical progression as I wanted to take a more practical approach to my goal of running a successful web services firm.

The Web Design and Development course aims to create successful web designers/developers, able to create rich, dynamic and innovative internet applications either on their own or as part of a multidisciplinary team. Preparing students for entry into a fast-moving and ever-changing environment requiring both creative and development skills. This seemed to be exactly what I was looking for and I am pleased with the course content so far. It was good to see that in addition to satisfying my need for a more practical approach the business knowledge I had gained on my previous course was still relevant and often helped me to provide useful incites when working with a group of students or presenting projects.

The modules which focused on group work – Personal Study Skills, Project X, Database Fundamentals and Multimedia for the Web – had a very entrepreneurial feel to them and encouraged idea generation which proved to be exactly what I wanted, exceeding my expectations.The modules which involved individual work – Web Design Fundamentals, Personal Web Pages, Introductory Programming and Working with gadgets – encouraged creativity and personal productivity which I found enjoyable, aiding me to develop my knowledge with the advice of knowledgeable lecturers and student helpers.

Introductory ProgrammingThis module concerned the basic concepts associated with programming and how they can be used in a development environment. It provided with the ability to develop simple programs in C# which demonstrate these concepts. We learned about the Development Environment. In particular how to organise and manage folder structures and files. We learned how to develop simple sequential programs and exemplified the appropriate uses of unconditional and conditional loops. We also learned to recognise the need for, and syntax of different basic data types. Furthermore we learned to create new methods from prescribed examples which exemplified a range of return types and parameters. Finally, we learned to use objects and data stored within objects as well as extend the functionality and data capacity of objects. The module employed a problem-first and practice-led approach. Software development techniques and methodologies were taught with a problem solving methodology.

Project XThis module helped me gain an understanding of how to approach and deal with problems which arise in the workplace and equipped me with the relevant tools to perform well both in an academic and work environment. The module discussed the use of complex library systems, and its use in researching information. It also introduced Personal Development Planning. Furthermore it helped me re-enforce my skill at producing coherent reports e.g. Word and PowerPoint as well as oral and written presentation skills. This was achieved though a range of study problems demonstrating different aspects of development. The module encouraged a reflective learning and working in multi-disciplinary teams identifying key points from a problem scenario.

Web FundamentalsThis module provided me with an introduction to the fundamental web design and development concepts and techniques relating to information architecture and visual literacy. Specifically it provided me with a greater understanding of the following subjects: information gathering, prototyping, implementation, launch, maintenance and growth, E-business organisations, the challenges of organising information, organisational scheme and structure, concept mapping, navigational schemes, storyboards, design rules, text, graphic, colour and structure, digital graphic design, typography, images, HTML, CSS, dynamic data, development tools, browsers and search engines. It also provided me with an insight into how library catalogues and other resources are used to locate relevant information.

Database FundamentalsThis module aided me to gain an understanding of the fundamental concepts of effective database design and – through group work – gave me practical experience and skills in the implementation of effective databases, which enable informed decision making. We learned the essentials of creating databases by example using Microsoft Access and Oracle. We also learned about the Legal constraints of database design, Relational Modelling, Entry-Relationship Modelling, SQL Data definition, SQL language concepts, Querying, Protection, Validation, Interface Design, Forms, Reports and Database Interoperability. Overall this module allowed me to explore relational database management software in depth from a practical perspective as well as learn about relational modelling and SQL.

Working with GadgetsThis module provided me with the ability to further develop simple programs that illustrated how to interface computers and devices in an object orientated fashion and was also presented in a problem solving manner. Specifically we considered the basic hardware and software interfaces of a computer and developed the idea of interface technologies including sensors, lighting circuits, and output devices. We created applications which use these USB interfaces to perform logging and signal monitoring. Furthermore, we developed simple graphics to enhance these applications as well as discussed devices of interest discussing their operation and interfacing. This module encouraged me to solve problems on my own and the methodologies involved.

Personal Web PagesThis module provided an introduction to standards compliant XHTML and CSS, for use in writing cross-browser compatible web pages using modern layout techniques. It helped me to gain the necessary skills to develop well-formed web pages. The module covered the following topics: Web Navigation, Block-Level Elements, X/HTML concepts, Character-level & Inline Elements, Hypertext Links, CSS Concepts and Uses, CSS Styles, The CSS Box Model, Arranging CSS Elements and Advanced CSS Techniques including Sticky footers and other useful hacks.

Multimedia for the WebThis module provided me with an introduction to the key web concepts associated with web design and development including digital media topics such as Animation, Video and Audio and how they can be used on the web. We learned about key-frame animation in a Flash environment as well as gif, image sequence and character animation. We learned about digitised video and its implications on the web. Furthermore, we learned about video compression, post production, buffering, streaming and narrative use. We also learned about the nature of sound, compression, formats, the combination of sound and images and the limits of sound on the web. Finally we learned how to interface in flash using visual elements, controls menus and keyboard input as well as group working skills including planning, allocation, integration and contribution.

Personal Study SkillsThis module helped me gain an understanding of how to approach and deal with problems which arise in the workplace and equipped me with the relevant tools to perform well both in an academic and work environment. The module discussed the use of complex library systems, and its use in researching information. It also introduced Personal Development Planning. Furthermore it helped me re-enforce my skill at producing coherent reports e.g. Word and PowerPoint as well as oral and written presentation skills. This was achieved though a range of study problems demonstrating different aspects of development. The module encouraged a reflective learning and working in multi-disciplinary teams identifying key points from a problem scenario.

Confident ThinkerIn Project X we were asked to come up with a solution – in a group – to the problems facing the biomass industry in Scotland. We worked closely as a group to develop a solution and came up with the idea of creating a website which would provide a marketplace for biomass users and producers to trade goods and communicate as well as provide information about the industry itself. We received positive feedback and were praised for the effort we made when presenting the project to the lecturer and his assistants.

Determined creatorIn Web design Fundamentals we were asked to create a news website which satisfied the web design concepts we had learned during the module. I learned that planning a website and making a basic framework then converting that framework into a graphically pleasing website was a good systematic way of producing quality websites. I received good feedback and was praised for my use of dynamic data.

Flexible collaboratorDuring Database fundamentals we were asked to work as a group to create a database which would meet the security and business requirements of the contemporary environment. We chose to make a music lovers database and collaborated well at all stages of its development. We used Google groups to coordinate our efforts and often met up to discuss things as a group. By tapping into everyone’s strengths we were able to work well as a group and came up with a well received database which exceeded the requirements of the brief.

Challenging complexity, driving changeDuring Working with gadgets I often found myself looking for examples and explanations of concepts used in the programs we were creating. I generally started to look for data on the university portal and if I could not find what I needed there I moved on to Google searches which were often fruitful. I gathered information from a range of websites including forums where programmers where discussing similar topics. Sometimes I had to go further afield and read academic literature including journals from the various journal databases linked on the library pages and the university portal. I found that finding the right data was mainly down to using the appropriate combination of keywords when engaging in searches. I believe I have refined my ability to find relevant information.

In ConclusionOver this year I have learned the foundations of Web design and Development acquiring an appreciation of design principles including the structures and conventions of programming, web pages, websites and databases whilst taking an academic approach to the subject matter. In addition to the subject matter I have reinforced my essay writing and presentation skills. I feel confident in referencing using the Abertay Harvard System and feel I have further improved my presentation and collaborative skills. I have performed well in the majority of my classes and am happy with the level of attainment I have achieved. I have developed excellent working relationships with my peers and look forward to continuing my studies next year. In retrospect I still feel there is room for improvement in my work etiquette and I will continue to strive for excellence in the future.