Mark DuBois Weblog

February 12, 1809 saw the birth of these two gentlemen who made a profound impact in their respective areas (science and society). I thought it appropriate to celebrate the 200th anniversary of their birth.

I attended the MAPS (Mid-America Paleontology Society) Fossil Exposition in Macomb, Illinois yesterday. These are some of the photos of the fossils (and friends) encountered.

I hope you are as excited about the start of the spring semester as I am. I do plan to try out some new techniques in my classes (rather than traditional lectures). Stay tuned as to how well that works out.

Based on current enrollments, these are the classes I am being scheduled to teach in the Spring, 2008 semester. If you are in any of the CMWEB classes, you should receive a postcard from me within a week confirming your registration in the class and indicating your first task in the class (to contact me via e-mail with the class number in the subject line). I will provide additional details in my response to your initial email message.

• CMNET 250 (Windows Server Security) – Monday and Wednesday from 1:00 – 2:50 p.m. in TC 309 (this is only taught as a traditional class, materials will be supplemented via the WWW, but you should plan on being present for each class).
• CMWEB 235 (Rich Internet Applications) – This can be taken either via the WWW or as a traditional class (or you can show up for certain topics).  Traditional version – Monday 6:00 – 9:35 p.m. in TC 210.
• CMWEB 240 (Server Side Scripting – ASP.Net) – This can be taken either via the WWW or as a traditional class (or you can show up for certain topics).  Traditional version – Tuesday 6:00 – 9:35 p.m. in TC 210.
• CMWEB 140 (eCommerce) – This can be taken either via the WWW or as a traditional class (or you can show up for certain topics).  Traditional version – Wednesday 6:00 – 9:35 p.m. in TC 213.
• CMWEB 160 (Scripting for Designers) – This can be taken either via the WWW or as a traditional class (or you can show up for certain topics).  Traditional version - Thursday 6:00 – 9:35 p.m. in TC 210.
• CMWEB 260 (Internship) – You will need to arrange this with me individually. Some course material will be available via the WWW, but the majority of your experience will be working with a client.

There appear to be some questionable entries regarding the times that web classes will be offered in the Spring, 2008 entries on the ICC website and in the printed schedule. As best as I can determine, the times below are correct. If I discover any added problems, I will update this post.

• CMWEB 235 - Rich Internet Applications… Mondays from 6 – 9:35 p.m. in TC 210 (this will also be available as a WWW class). If you can attend class in person, I strongly recommend it.
• CMWEB 240 – Server Side Scripting (ASP.Net)… Tuesdays from 6 – 9:35 p.m. in TC 210 (this will also be available as a WWW class). If you can attend class in person, I strongly recommend it.
• CMWEB 270 – Web Application Security. Wednesdays from 6 – 9:35 p.m. in TC 210. This class is only available as a traditional class. There will be a number of group projects. It is listed incorrectly as a WWW class only.
• CMWEB 160 – Scripting for designers (JavaScript and PHP)… Thursdays from 6 – 9:35 p.m. in TC 210 (this will also be available as a WWW class). If you can attend class in person, I strongly recommend it.

I participated in the WOW Advisory Board summit in Las Vegas from Oct. 31 – Nov. 2, 2007. In addition to makiing a presentation on AJAX and Web 2.0, we reviewed existing web curriculum standards and identified new areas for inclusion (such as microformats).

During this summit, it was announced that ICC won the 2007 WOW Academy of the Year award (along with Montana State Univeristy in Great Falls). This is quite an honor and speaks highly of the efforts Shari and I have put into our curriculum.

Details of the press release are linked if you wish to read more about this honor.

The fall semester begins today. I hope everyone is looking forward to classes as much as I am. Students who are in my various classes should have received a postcard with instructions on how to access course materials. We will be relying on the Moodle environment again this semester. I encourage everyone to review the class materials as soon as possible (before coming to class). Don’t forget to get your textbook(s) as well. I hope most will be able to participate in the traditional versions of classes. I realize this is not an option for everyone. If you enounter problems at any time during class, please contact me as soon as possible. After all – bad news never improves with age.

Both Abraham and Charles were born February 12, 1809. Both had a significant impact on society and how we view the world. Abraham died April 15, 1865 (after being shot while attending a play at Ford’s Theater).

I offer this challenge to any student in my web classes – what date did Charles die on (and where). If you are the first in that class to correctly answer this question, I will add one point to your final grade for that class. This offer remains open for the spring, 2007 semester until someone correctly identifies the answer for each class.

The following students correctly met the challenge (and this contest is closed for that class):

• Luan Railsback – CMWEB 160 – Feb. 19, 2007
• Roger French – CMWEB 250 – March 7, 2007