Mark DuBois Weblog

We are about to start the Spring, 2012 semester where I teach. Our college [Illinois Central College] has been recognized as a Web Professional Academy since 2006 (when the Web Professional Program began). Before we start the semester, I though I would reflect on what it means to me to be a web professional. I look forward to your comments (please place them below). Note that I must approve all comments due to the vast amount of spam comments received.

So, what are the characteristics of a Web Professional?

1. They make a concerted effort to constantly learn. Anyone who has worked with web technologies for any length of time recognizes that our field changes daily. There is always some new technology which can be employed to better address client problems. Part of this learning is that we must also unlearn and relearn. This is something I try to convey to students every semester. If you think that you already know the answer to a problem, stop and do a little research. Chances are that something has changed which will impact how you help solve a client’s problems.
2. They stay in contact with other professionals. Whether this is through the use of social media (like Twitter, Google+ or the like) or via participation in conferences or some other means. Our field is rapidly expanding and it is impossible for any one person to stay on top of all the changes. Being in contact with other professionals often helps me decide where to focus my efforts at continual learning.
3. They give back to their community. Yes, I spend a lot of hours serving as Director of Education for WebProfessionals.org and as an Adobe Education Leader and user group manager. However, I have found that it is through these interactions I often meet incredible people and establish lasting friendships with people throughout the world. I also find that these contacts help me learn where to focus my efforts (ok, this is also covered in my second point). From a selfish perspective, I have found that I always get back so much more than I can contribute when I help others in the community.
4. They understand their short comings and make a concerted effort to improve. We all have faults and blind spots. We need to recognize that and actively work at improving. If a deadline is missed, fess up to it and apologize (if necessary). Make a concerted effort to never make the same mistake twice. Always strive to improve (every day).
5. They give credit where it is due. We can not be masters of everything, but we can identify best practices and recognize those who have helped us.

What are your thoughts on what it means to be a web professional? I look forward to your comments.

Thanks to Laurie Burruss, I was featured in the October, 2010 issue of the lynda.com academic newsletter. I have consistently used lynda.com as a resource to learn more about a number of topics. I never cease to be amazed as to the breadth and depth of their course offerings. I find this to be a consistent source of great information. I put together a short video which includes the  work of some of my students (Larry and Anna) and explains how I prepared for a recent class. I was struggling with what sort of project to come up with for the class and lynda.com provided me with the appropriate inspiration. Laurie – thanks for the excellent article. I am most appreciative.

I was just notified that my recent review of a book was published in the September CHOICE issue. Thought I  would include a copy here. Didn’t want students to think I was slacking and only teaching classes *grin*.

“Web anatomy: interaction design frameworks that work, by Robert Hoekman Jr. and Jared Spool.  New Riders, 2010.  213p index ISBN 9780321635020 pbk, $39.99

When people visit numerous Web sites, they need to learn how to navigate/use each site.  Usability studies often indicate possible problems.  However, different usability studies (of the same site) may create contrasting lists of problems.  This confusion has led to the concept of interaction design frameworks, i.e., a set of desired behaviors coupled with reusable code.  Usability specialists Hoekman and Spool define such a framework as “a set of design patterns plus other elements and information, used together to guide the design of a complete system or site context.”  Frameworks provide guidelines but are not “set in stone.”  Designers can build upon these and scale their designs as needed.  Consider a search results page where the pattern is expected, but the designer modifies it to fit in the context of the larger application.  The authors discuss five frameworks in detail: “Catalog” (product gallery), “Search,” “Sign-up,” “About Us,” and “Movie Sites.”  They conclude with a section on how to craft and use frameworks along with an explanation of how to convince organizations of the need for a framework library.  Both practicing and aspiring Web professionals will want to consult Web Anatomy when they begin a new project.  Summing Up: Recommended.  Academic, two-year technical program, and professional audiences, all levels.”

Most of my classes are online (which you take at your own pace). However, from time to time, I am asked the following question:

I wasn’t in class last time. Did I miss anything?

Most of the “tongue in cheek” response originally came from “The astonishing weight of the dead,” Vancouver: Polestar. 1994. I have adapted it a bit for this weblog entry.

You may choose from any of the following responses (for my answer to the above question).

• You missed nothing. When we realized you weren’t here, we sat with our hands folded on our desks in silence, for the full three hours.
• You missed everything. I gave an exam worth 40% of the grade for this term and assigned some reading due today. I am about to hand out a quiz on that reading. That quiz will count for another 50% of the grade for this term.
• You missed nothing. None of the content of this course has value or meaning. Take as many days off as you like: any activities we undertake as a class, I assure you, will not matter to you or me and are without purpose.
• You missed everything. A few minutes after we began last time a shaft of light descended and an angel or heavenly body appeared and revealed to us what everyone must do to attain divine wisdom in this life and the hereafter. This is the last time the class will meet before we disperse to bring this good news to all people on earth.
• You missed nothing. When you are not present, how could anything significant occur?
• You missed everything. Contained in this classroom was a microcosm of human existence assembled for you to query and examine and ponder. This is not the only place such an opportunity has been gathered, but it was one place. And, you weren’t here.

I know everyone wants to earn an “A” in my classes. There is a secret. Let me share it.

1. Read the textbook(s) and come to class prepared. The schedule is listed in  the syllabus (linked in Moodle).
2. Do the work (weblog, discussion forum, assignments, quizzes).
3. Submit the work on time. Every time you ask for more than one extension on an assignment, you are really asking me for a lower grade. These classes move at a fast pace. If you don’t keep up, you will fall behind.
4. Ask questions. If you don’t understand something, ask (email me, or post something in the discussion forum). If you don’t understand the answer, ask again. Repeat until you do understand.

If you follow these recommendations, you will almost certainly do well in class. Recall that you can submit a lab, have it graded as unsatisfactory, then resubmit it within the week. You can take a quiz as many times as you want before the deadline. Yes, you have to post in the discussion and post your journal as a weblog entry (but you have over a week to do this each topic). Take these suggestions to heart and you will do fine.

The fall, 2010 semester starts Monday, August 23 at Illinois Central College. As we begin, I thought it appropriate to share a few thoughts with students taking my classes in the web curriculum.

First (very important)– welcome to class. I am here to help you better understand the material and apply it to real life situations. If you ever have a question about the material, contact me and I will do my best to help. I can employ a number of tools which I can employ to help you better understand the concepts and tools we will be using. If all the materials were easy, why would you need a teacher. Therefore, don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Second (almost equally important) – you are responsible for your future. Since you are taking these classes, I make the assumption you aspire to be a web professional. You are encouraged to develop and enhance your professionalism as part of these classes. For example, do the absolute best you can on each assignment. Do not settle for second best. You may someday wish to include some of these as part of a portfolio of your work. Also, take responsibility for your actions. If you know you will miss a deadline, notify me in advance. As a general rule, I will provide you with extra time. However, if you do not notify me beforehand, you will receive a grade of “unsatisfactory” or a 0 for that assignment. The grade you receive in each class is the grade you earn.

Third – take time to enjoy the class experience. You have the opportunity to interact with your peers. In some courses, we will be working on group projects. In others, you will be working alone, but will still need to interact with others via the discussion forum. Everyone bring a different and unique experience to class. Learn from what others have to offer. I plan to add some social interactions this semester as well (for those who want to participate). I am even thinking of making this an extra credit part of selected courses. Yep, I tend to do something a little different each semester and this would be the first time I am considering extra credit in over a decade.

I hope you are looking forward to this semester as much as I am. For those who are in the East Peoria area, we do have an optional open lab for all CMWEB students on Tuesday and Wednesday nights (from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. in TC 210 – ICC East Peoria campus). If you are able to make it – great. for those outside of the area (or who can not make it on the above nights, I am available via ConnectPro software (so we can share desktop applications). Just contact me to make an appointment.

In a nutshell – enjoy the semester and learn well.

Lastly – For those who are new to the web profession, there is some great advice for beginners at Smashing Magazine. If you are not a beginner, you might want to review the link as well.

We just concluded the 10 annual WOW web design contest in Springfield, Illinois (and winners were announced today). Everyone who participated in this contest has demonstrated their willingness to step up to challenges and do more than just attend. You are all to be congratulated for trying. The judges had to make some decisions and arrived at the winners after reviewing all the challenges from a number of different facets (there were literally hundreds of different points which had to be evaluated for each of the challenges). Many thanks to Lynda.com for providing the prizes to the first place winners (months of access to their vast library of training materials).

Congratulations to the first place winners at the WOW Web Design contest held at SkillsUSA in Springfield, Illinois on Apr. 16, 2010.

• Secondary – Christopher and Nicholas (Maine Township High School South)
• Post-Secondary – Matt Scachette and Kevin Burke (Illinois Central College)

As an aside, students from Illinois Central College have now won first place in this contest every year for the past decade.

This contest focuses on completing various challenges related to established web standards and web accessibility. Students had 6 hours to complete various tasks. They had to demonstrate professionalism, team work, and various business skills in addition to having a solid knowledge of HTML and CSS.Everyone who participated indicated they enjoyed the experience and the challenge and had fun.

I plan to post some additional comments to provide feedback to all the participants later this weekend (have to get caught up on a mountain of email now).

The next stop for me in this contest cycle is the national contest in Kansas City in June. I am already looking  forward to it.