There are plenty of good software choices you can make, but if you are going to teach Web page construction in your class, you might want to use Netscape Composer.  I found it to be a software of choice for these reasons:
 

• It's free.  You won't need a site license to put it on all of your computers, or in your lab, and your students can download it for free at home.  You can give homework assignments on it, too, if all of your students have computer access at home.  You might even "burn" a copy or two and spread it around to your students who are intimidated by downloading.

• It's basic.  While it has some minor limitations, the software is easy to learn and use.  The easier it is, the less time you have to spend on software.  And the less time you spend on the "nuts and bolts" of software, the more time you spend on marketing issues.  Don't forget, this is a marketing class, NOT a computer class.  Don't get too wrapped up in software.  KISS.

• It's flexible.  For your more "technologically advanced" students, Composer allows them to get fancy by adding html code or "copy and paste" scripts.  If that doesn't mean anything to you, it does to them.  Boredom for advanced students may be your single largest obstacle to overcome.  Having technical yet important Web page strategies can be your best friend.  We'll talk more about this one in Phase III.

• Free supporting documentation is abundant.  There is much written about composer.  Try visiting:
• Document 1
• Visit Document 2 and click on "Using Composer"
• http://wally.rit.edu/instruction/web/composer/
• Open the HELP files in composer, and it will print out an entire user's manual for you.
• There are several books written on composer.

For these reasons, we will use Composer in this class, and you will be responsible for knowing how to use this software.  Remember, there are other software packages that you may utilize in your classroom.  While making your decision, think hard about the benefits listed above.  Then select the one that best suits your needs.

When you have completed this tutorial, please click on the test your knowledge link below and take the quiz.  Your results will be submitted to me automatically!
 
 

Netscape Composer | Creating a hyperlink | Insert an image
Titles, backgrounds, and link colors | Using Tables | Naming your files
Uploading your pages to the World Wide Web | Test your knowledge