Introduction to JavaScript

This course is designed for students at all levels who know HTML but have little or no experience with JavaScript.

Students will learn the fundamentals of JavaScript as a web programming language, including basic programming concepts as they apply to using and writing JavaScript. The focus is on learning to create interactivity using JavaScript with text and graphics. This course lays the foundation for continuing with JavaScript in the Intermediate JavaScript course, and features current web-standards compliant techniques for using JavaScript.

It's expected that students will have varying levels of skill and experience with scripting, so both a basic assignment and an advanced assignment will be offered each week for students to choose from in order to meet course requirements.

Students who have used pre-written scripts will find this a useful course to learn the underlying concepts of the JavaScript language and web scripting - and you'll learn to write your own scripts!

Outline
Week 1:
  • JavaScript as a Web programming language
  • The script element
  • Creating variables in JavaScript
  • Using alert and confirm boxes
  • Using prompt to access user input
  • Basic script debugging
Week 2:
  • Strings and numbers in JavaScript
  • Converting strings to numbers - parseInt, parseFloat, and Number
  • Using conditional statement - if, else if, and else
  • Understanding switch
  • Creating for and while loops
Week 3:
  • JavaScript functions
  • JavaScript objects
  • Using the Array object
  • Creating single-dimensional arrays
  • Understanding the Math object
  • Using random numbers
Week 4:
  • Understanding the Date object
  • Displaying date and time on your pages
  • Using international time
  • Creating a timer
  • Using inline event handlers
  • Using the String object
  • Manipulating string data
Week 5:
  • Basic events and event handlers
  • Using the traditional event registration model
  • Event capturing and event bubbling
Week 6:
  • Understanding the Browser Object Model (BOM)
  • Browser object detection techniques
  • Simple and complex rollovers
  • Open, move, and resize new windows
Week 7:
  • Understanding the Document Object Model (DOM)
  • HTML documents as family trees
  • HTMLdocuments as node trees
  • Basic DOM objects, methods, and properties
Week 8:
  • JavaScript best practices
  • Graceful degradation
  • Progressive enhancement
  • Separating structure, presentation, and behavior
Prerequisites
H101 Intro to HTML Course or H401 Intro to XHTML or equivalent knowledge.
Requirements
  • Internet Explorer 6 or higher for Windows users
  • Safari 2.0 or higher for Mac users
  • Gecko-based browser for Window and Mac users: Netscape Navigator 6 or higher, Mozilla, or Firefox
  • Web space to post assignments, preferably without banner ads

Books:
Required Book Beginning JavaScript, 4th edition
Suggested Book JavaScript by Example

Additional information:

Your place in the course is confirmed by your payment. Introductory courses are intended for students with no experience in the subject matter and are seeking beginner level training.

Refund Policy: Please read our Terms and Refund Policy before registering for this course.

Additional Cost: Book and software might be required for the course. Read the Requirements and Book section for more information. Course fee does not include the book and software cost .

How eClasses Work:Instructors post lectures (text-based, no video or audio), reading selections, and hands-on assignments once a week in the online classroom. Students can discuss the assignments with the instructor and amongst themselves in the classroom area. This format has no set meeting time, which allows students to attend class at a time most convenient to them, yet still provides logically organized communication between class participants. Students can apply for the completion certificate after finishing the class.

1985

Price: $220.00
IWA-HWG Price: $120.00
Course No.: P131
Instructor: Lucinda J. Dykes
Co-instructor/TA:
CEUs: 4
Duration: 8 weeks
Open Courses:
Start Date: Apr 02, 2012
(Register by: Apr 05, 2012)
Start Date: Jun 11, 2012
(Register by: Jun 14, 2012)
Start Date: Aug 20, 2012
(Register by: Aug 23, 2012)
Start Date: Oct 29, 2012
(Register by: Nov 01, 2012)

Testimonials

Instructor's Profile:
InstructorLucinda Dykes is a web developer, online course developer, and technical writer. She started her career in a high-tech area of medicine, but left medicine to pursue her interests in technology and the Web. She has been writing code and developing Web sites since 1994. Lucinda has authored numerous computer books; the most recent is Beginning Ajax for WROX.
Before you register for this class, please read the Outline, Prerequisites, Requirements, Books, and Refund Policy sections carefully.
 

 Testimonials

Ratings
"A challenging course if you have very little scripting experience, but overall it's a well done and the materials are worth it." - Robert Hoefer
"I really enjoyed this class and learned a great deal from it." - Crystal Hayes
"I enjoyed the class. I think having two tracks so you can pick the difficulty level of the assignments that you want is a good idea. I appreciated Lucinda's expertise and thought her lessons were well thought out. I would have liked prompter feedback on the assignments. I also think the classroom software could stand to be updated. There are several UI issues that make it clunky to use. Most noticeably is having to click through the same screen twice to get to posted information such as assignments and getting redirected to the top of the page each time. " - Michael Warren
"I had a great class, thank you Lucinda. I'll see you in the next class." - Robert Rieck
"Very Good Course! The lectures were relevant and the exercises really helped me gain a better understanding of the scripting language." - Brittany Workman
"One of the best courses I've taken! It was challenging (I knew it would be when I enrolled), but not too challenging...just right. I had previously purchased several books on Javascript through the years, but they didn't get me far. This course, the flow of learning from week to week, and especially how the book's readings aligned with your lectures, I can't give louder praises for this course, the instructor and how it tremendously assisted me in getting the basics of the language down. I might take a break before enrolling in the Intermediate section (after holidays - I hope it is available then), and challenge myself to take it a step further. I know that much of this is the concept of a new language is using it or losing it, so I will continue to read and practice with the language from now until then so that I don't forget, and very well improve and enhance what I've learned here. For those assignments that I did just the basic, I'll go back now and try the advanced on my own.

Much appreciation to the instructor of this course! I can tell she (Lucinda Dykes) went the extra mile with the students. The recommended books were good, but the added references that she directed us to and her own lectures made it complete and over and beyond my expectations. I was able to grasp the concepts much easier than some courses in which the instructors aren't quite as involved. The assignments were challenging and I especially liked how we had the option to do basic or advanced since some students may have had prior programming experience while others might have not. This course was an exceptional experience for me!!!!

" - Lisa Murphy
"I really liked Lucinda's style of teaching. I look forward to taking other classes taught by her." - Pat Steinmetz
"Excellent course and materials for a complex subject. Instructor was excellent! Website was well organized!" - Sandra Perez
"Lucinda was excellent - really knows her stuff and answers everyone's questions quickly and makes sure you understand." - Carol Klotz
"Intro to JavaScript was the most challenging, but rewarding course I've taken so far through eClasses.org. The instructor, Lucinda, presents the material in an organized and undaunting way. Her assignments forced me to go outside of my comfort zone and really apply the material and the trouble shooting skills Lucinda taught us. I can't wait to take the Intermediate course!" - Lorinda Dishington Ortiz
"The course and the instructor were excellent. I very much appreciated the weekly homework assignments which were carefully examined. Certainly covered the basic material I suspect this is a very tough course for a substantial percentage of people. I plan to take it again as I just barely kept up. " - Elwood Vanderslice
"I am surprised at how much I learned from this class. I am already applying my new skills to my job. The instructor was very helpful." - Sabrina Curzi
"Lucinda is a great instructor. The readings were well selected and the assignments challenging. Lucinda's feedback on each week's assignment was very helpful. I will definitely take the intermediate class. " - James Buchanan
"Lucinda gave us challenging yet doable assignments. She is an excellent instructor and gave quick and clear responses to our questions. She brings in outside material that is not covered sufficiently in our book, and she keeps the course up-to-date with current best practices in JavaScript. I learned so much in her class that I have signed up for her Intermediate JavaScript." - Heather Ebey
"I was familiar with Javascript, but hadn't learned it from the ground up. Now, the concepts make sense. I was able to use what I learned immediately at work. Thanks. " - David Abrahamian
"Challenging course for those with no background in programming. Lucinda was patient and helpful. I think it was good that she offered basic and advanced assignments. I was able to meet my personal goal of gaining an overview of javascript without becoming overwhelmed." - Patricia Thomas
"Loved the class! Lucinda is extremely helpful and accessible to students. She does a great job and I'm looking forward to the intermediate class!" - Pamela Riesmeyer