The first time I taught this course, my class was working on a Web site for a local hardware store.  The plan was this; as we moved along, I would introduce a new concept each day, followed by lab whereby students could implement that particular concept into their site, whenever appropriate.  The problem was that some of the students were done with their sites in a week!  These students were bored, and we all know where that leads.  Uh oh.  This is something I hadn't fully planned for.  I just assumed that the more technologically advanced students would work harder.  Some of you veterans are out there laughing at me right now!

I put a lot of thought behind this specific problem before teaching the second time.  This obstacle was easily the most difficult I had to contend with.  The key is to keep them busy with meaningful work while not leaving the others behind.  Fortunately, this problem is tailor made for Martketing 8125.  In addition, the solution is going to help you learn some of the technical aspects of this course that you don't already know.

There are tons of things that need to be done to Web sites that you will not have time to teach to the class en masse.  However, you can assign your more "techno-savvy" students these tasks and let them go at it.  Not only can you give them the work to do, but you are providing them with things they really do need to know!  This way each student can work along at their own pace, implementing as much technical knowledge as they can--which also converts directly into marketing know-how.  You're going to have to trust me on this one--you won't run out of things to give them!

One final (and critical) point to make before we go on to the specifics.  YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE THE EXPERT IN EVERYTHING!!!  Understand going into this course that you will have some students that already have technical knowledge that you do not.  Your goal is to be the marketing expert.  Permit them to be your ally in technical expertise, especially as you develop yours.  One strategy that I liked to use (that you have used time and time again) is to let the students be the teacher.  For example, If you want to learn about META tags, learn enough to explain to your students why they are relevant.  Then send one or more of your advanced students--who are already "done" with their project--to research them, modify their Web site, then present to the other class members.  My students were very competitive over who got to be the "knowledge experts," and they showed a great deal of pride in playing this role. As a result, I continued this practice even after I learned some of the technical aspects of the course.  Try it.

If some of this stuff gets a bit too technical, that's ok.  Be patient.  It's a new role for you, not being the expert in everything surrounding your content area, but it's one you need to accept.  Just remember to let your students teach you.  Now on to some of the "techie" stuff you can point them to...