Chapter 10: Skill Deep Dive Web Development & Design Basics (No-Code/Low-Code)

Chapter 10: Skill Deep Dive: Web Development & Design Basics (No-Code/Low-Code)

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this chapter, students will be able to:

• Differentiate between traditional coding and no-code/low-code development platforms.

• Identify the fundamental components of a website (e.g., domain, hosting, CMS, pages, menus).

• Utilize basic features of popular no-code website builders to create and manage simple web pages.

• Apply core User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) principles to design visually appealing and user-friendly websites.

• Understand the role of responsive design and ensure websites function well across different devices.

• Outline initial steps for offering basic website design, maintenance, or content update services.

Key Concepts Introduced:

• No-Code vs. Low-Code Development:

  • No-Code: Drag-and-drop interfaces for building fully functional applications or websites without writing any code (e.g., Squarespace, Wix, Shopify for e-commerce).

  • Low-Code: Uses visual interfaces with minimal manual coding when needed for customization (e.g., WordPress with page builders like Elementor, Webflow).

• Website Fundamentals:

  • Domain Name: Your website's address (e.g., yourwebsite.com).

  • Web Hosting: Where your website files are stored online.

  • Content Management System (CMS): Software for creating and managing digital content (e.g., WordPress, Squarespace).

  • Pages, Posts, Menus, Footers: Basic structural elements.

  • Plugins/Apps: Extensions that add functionality.

• Core UX (User Experience) Principles:

  • Usability: Ease of navigation and interaction.

  • Accessibility: Designing for all users, including those with disabilities.

  • Information Architecture: Organizing content logically.

  • User Flow: The path a user takes through a website.

• Core UI (User Interface) Principles:

  • Visual Hierarchy: Guiding the eye to important elements.

  • Color Theory Basics: Using color effectively.

  • Typography Basics: Choosing readable and appropriate fonts.

  • White Space: Importance of empty space for clarity.

  • Consistency: Maintaining design elements throughout the site.

• Responsive Design: Ensuring websites adapt and look good on desktops, tablets, and mobile phones.

• Website Maintenance Basics: Backups, security updates (especially for WordPress), content updates.

• Client Communication: Understanding client needs, basic wireframing/mockups.

Teaching Methodology & Activities:

• "Deconstruct a Website" Analysis: Students select 2-3 well-designed websites (from provided examples or their own choice) and analyze their UX/UI elements, identifying good practices and areas for improvement.

• Guided Website Builder Walkthrough: Live demonstration or pre-recorded video tutorial on setting up a basic website using a popular no-code platform (e.g., Squarespace or Wix free trial). Focus on adding pages, text, images, and basic navigation.

• "Build a Simple Landing Page" Exercise: Students are given a hypothetical scenario (e.g., a simple personal portfolio, a landing page for a fictional service) and tasked with building a basic one-page site using a chosen no-code builder.

• "Responsive Test" Activity: Students test various websites on different devices or use browser developer tools to simulate different screen sizes, observing how responsive design works.

• "UX/UI Fix-It" Challenge: Present examples of poorly designed website elements and ask students to propose improvements based on UX/UI principles.

• Guest Speaker (Optional): A freelance web designer specializing in no-code platforms, sharing their workflow, client acquisition, and common project types.

Assessments (Formative & Summative):

• Formative:

  • Completion of the "Deconstruct a Website" analysis.

  • Submission of screenshots or a link to their "Build a Simple Landing Page" exercise.

  • Active participation in discussions on UX/UI principles and responsive design.

• Summative:

  • "Basic Website Creation Project": Students design and build a functional, responsive, multi-page website (e.g., a personal portfolio, a website for a fictional small business, or a basic blog) using a no-code/low-code platform. The project should demonstrate:

    • Clear navigation.

    • Visually appealing design adhering to basic UI principles.

    • User-friendly experience adhering to basic UX principles.

    • Responsiveness across devices.

    • Appropriate content (text, images).

  • A short quiz on website components, no-code definitions, and basic UX/UI terms.

Required Readings/Resources:

• Course-specific text/module on no-code/low-code web development and design.

• Beginner's guides and tutorials from Squarespace, Wix, or WordPress.com.

• Articles introducing basic UX/UI principles for beginners (e.g., Nielsen Norman Group articles, "Don't Make Me Think" by Steve Krug - selected excerpts).

• Resources on responsive web design concepts.

• Examples of well-designed, simple websites built with no-code tools.