Introduction to HTML5 from Coursera

Thanks to a growing number of software programs, it seems as if anyone can make a webpage. But what if you actually want to understand how the page was created? There are great textbooks and online resources for learning web design, but most of those resources require some background knowledge. This course is designed to help the novice who wants to gain confidence and knowledge.

We will explore the theory (what actually happens when you click on a link on a webpage?), the practical (what do I need to know to make my own page?), and the overlooked (I have the code, but how do I put it on the web to share with others?). Throughout the course there will be a strong emphasis on adhering to syntactic standards for validation and semantic standards to promote wide accessibility for users with disabilities.

This course will appeal to a wide variety of people, but specifically those who would like a step-by-step description of the basics. There are no prerequisites for this course and it is assumed that students have no prior programming skills or IT experience. The course will culminate in a small final project that will require the completion of a very simple page with links and images. The focus of this course is on the basics, not appearance. You can see a sample final HTML page at https://example-site-1--wd4ehtml.repl.co/ .

This is the first course in the Web Design For Everybody specialization. Subsequent courses focus on the marketable skills of styling the page with CSS3, adding interactivity with JavaScript and enhancing the styling with responsive design.

What's inside

Syllabus

Week One: Learning About the Web

This week we will uncover the "mystery" behind the Internet. What happens when you type a URL into your browser so that a webpage magically appears? What is HTML5 and what happened to HTML 1 - 4? We will also cover some practical concepts that you need to master before you begin coding your own pages.

Week Two: Structure of a Web Page

This week you will need to take a deep breath and jump into coding. I will cover a large number of HTML tags, but it is important that you do more than just listen to these video and read the text book material. You need to practice (and fail!) in order to learn. Believe it or not, once you master the basic idea of using tags and attributes you will know everything you need to use any HTML5 tag. The page may not look the way you want it to look yet, but you will be able to use text, links, images, tables, and even music and videos! If you want to refer to a textbook this week for reinforcement of concepts, we will be using the Shay Howe online textbook as a reference. I will include links after the lectures, but some students prefer to read before the videos. (My preferred approach is to read/watch/read again.)

Week Three: Hosting and Accessibility

Okay, you created a file...what now? This week we will begin by covering the important but often overlooked concepts of validation and accessibility. Did you follow the DOM structure when you created your page? Did you use semantic tags to make sure that page viewers can access all of the information, even if they have physical or cognitive disabilities? This is knowledge you can use if you would like to pursue a career as a web accessibility specialist. Finally I will briefly cover the steps needed to post your site to the web if you decide to use something other than Replit. There are many free and paid services that you can use to get your work off your computer and on to the Internet.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops critical web design fundamentals with up-to-date, industry-standard syntax

Provides a thorough foundation for beginners to jump-start their journey in web design

Offers step-by-step guidance for building a simple web page with links and images

Lays emphasis on adhering to syntactic and semantic standards for accessibility

Taught by Colleen van Lent and Charles Russell Severance, experienced educators in web design

Builds a solid foundation for subsequent courses in the Web Design For Everybody specialization

Reviews summary

Web development fundamentals

learners say this is an accessible and well-received introduction to the basics of web development with an emphasis on HTML5 and accessible design. Students appreciate the informative and enthusiastic instruction, particularly highlighting the focus on accessibility and web semantics. The course includes a final project where students create a simple web page, and reviewers note that the peer review process can be inconsistent. Overall, this course is highly recommended for absolute beginners seeking a foundational understanding of HTML5 and web design best practices.

The course includes a final project where students create a simple web page using the HTML5 skills they have learned. Students find this project to be a valuable learning experience and a good way to test their understanding of the material.

"This course helped me to enhance my existing skills and knowledge."

"I am a third year I.T student and took this course just to freshen up on my HTML knowledge."

"I would highly recommend this course for people who want to get started with web development."

The course is designed for absolute beginners, and students with no prior knowledge of HTML5 find it accessible and easy to follow. The instructor provides clear explanations and examples, and the course materials are well-organized.

"The whole class is well organized and clean and clear. But most times, the teacher is just taking and talking."

"It is a great experience to learn this at High School, when I was 16 and didn't pay much attention so I'd forgotten everything about it."

"Even though I knew a few HTML tags from before, this course helped me grab the concept of semantics, understand history and evolution of HTML, and also the very important concepts of validation and accessibility."

The instructor, Colleen van Lent, is praised for her engaging and enthusiastic teaching style. Students find her explanations clear and easy to follow, and they appreciate her encouragement and support.

"Professor Colleen van Lent was amazing!! She was concise, but detailed enough for you to understand the content."

"The course covers a variety of topics that are useful for beginners."

"The online course from the University of Michigan exceeded my expectations. The content was engaging, the instructors knowledgeable, and the platform user-friendly."

The course emphasizes the importance of accessibility, ensuring that websites are accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. Students appreciate this focus, which is not commonly covered in other courses.

"I also learned a lot about accessibility issues that are emphasized in the course, it is very interesting, from now on I will use the tags and html attributes with greater awareness of their meaning."

"I want to thank Colleen van Lent for this amazing course. It was exactly as stated - designed with a beginner in mind."

"I highly recommend this course for both beginners and HTML5 experts, because the teacher provides excellent guidance during the course of the 3 weeks, and recommends useful websites to improve our development."

The final project is graded through peer review, which can be inconsistent. Some students report receiving unfair or biased feedback, while others find the peer review process to be helpful and informative.

"I had to eventually take help from youtube for the final project."

"Completion of course depended on the final project, which is absolutely fine."

"I was very proud of myself when I figured out how to do this and I am glad that I took an extra step and tried to figure this out even though it's not required."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to HTML5 with these activities:

Build a Simple Website with HTML and CSS

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This activity can help by giving you hands-on experience creating a website with HTML and CSS, so that you will be better prepared for the course.

Browse courses on HTML

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Choose a topic for your website.
Create a simple layout for your website.
Write the HTML code for your website.
Write the CSS code for your website.
Publish your website to the web.

Read HTML and CSS: Design and Build Websites by Jon Duckett

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This activity can help by improving your familiarity with the syntax and best practices of HTML and CSS before the course begins, making the concepts easier to pick up when the course starts.

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Acquire a copy of the book.
Read Chapters 1-5.
Complete the exercises at the end of each chapter.

Complete the Codecademy HTML and CSS Tutorial

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This activity can help by strengthening your understanding of the syntax and structure of HTML and CSS before the course starts.

Browse courses on HTML

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Create a Codecademy account.
Enroll in the HTML and CSS Tutorial.
Complete all of the lessons in the tutorial.

Seven other activities

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Show all ten activities

Practice writing HTML code before the course begins

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Sharpen your HTML coding skills prior to the course start date to maximize your learning experience.

Browse courses on HTML

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Set aside time for regular HTML coding practice.
Create simple web pages or code snippets to practice your skills.
Seek feedback on your code from peers or online forums.

Create a Collection of Web Design Resources

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This activity can help by allowing you to curate resources related to HTML, CSS, and web design so that you can easily access them throughout the course.

Browse courses on HTML

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Create a bookmark folder for web design resources.
Add bookmarks to the folder for articles, tutorials, and other resources on HTML, CSS, and web design.
Submit a link to your collection of resources in the course forum.

Review Shay Howe's HTML5 book

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Reinforce your understanding of HTML5 tags and attributes.

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Read the relevant chapters on HTML5 tags and attributes.
Complete the practice exercises in the book.
Create a simple web page using the HTML5 tags you've learned.

Code along with the lectures

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Develop hands-on experience with HTML5 by coding along with the lectures.

Browse courses on HTML5

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Watch a lecture on a specific HTML5 topic.
Open a code editor and follow along with the instructor's coding demonstrations.
Practice writing HTML5 code on your own.

Attend a web design workshop or conference

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Expand your knowledge and network with other web designers by attending a workshop or conference.

Browse courses on Web Design

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Research upcoming web design workshops or conferences.
Register for an event that aligns with your interests.
Attend the event and participate in sessions and activities.
Network with other attendees and speakers.

Create a portfolio of your web design projects

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Showcase your web design skills and progress by creating a portfolio of your projects.

Browse courses on Web Design

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Collect your best web design projects.
Create a website or online platform to display your portfolio.
Include descriptions, screenshots, and links to each project.
Share your portfolio with potential employers or clients.

Create a Portfolio Website

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This activity can help by giving you a chance to apply the skills you learn in this course to a real-world project.

Browse courses on HTML

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Choose a portfolio website template.
Customize the template to your liking.
Add your own content to the website.
Publish your portfolio website to the web.
Submit a link to your portfolio website in the course forum.

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to HTML5 will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Front-End Developer

Front-End Developers are responsible for the user interface and user experience of a website or application. You will focus on making sure that the page is interactive, visually appealing, and accessible for all users. Intro to HTML5 can help build a foundation in the basics of front-end development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Front-End Developer

Web Developer

As a Web Developer, you will learn how to build and maintain websites and web applications. Some Web Developers may specialize in front-end development, back-end development, or full-stack development. No matter what your specialization, Intro to HTML5 can help build a foundation if you have little to no programming experience.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Web Accessibility Specialist

Web Accessibility Specialists are responsible for ensuring that websites and applications are accessible to people with disabilities. You will work with developers and designers to make sure that websites and applications meet accessibility standards. Intro to HTML5 can help build a foundation in the basics of web accessibility and how to implement accessible design elements.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Accessibility Specialist

Full-Stack Developer

Full-Stack Developers are responsible for both the front-end and back-end of a website or application. You will need to understand how both sides interact with each other to create a cohesive user experience. Intro to HTML5 can help build a foundation in the basics of front-end and back-end development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Full-Stack Developer

UX Designer

UX Designers are responsible for the user experience of a website or application. You will focus on making sure that the website or application is easy to use, navigate, and enjoyable to interact with. Intro to HTML5 may be useful in understanding the basics of how a website is structured and how design elements impact the user experience.

See salaries and explore the career path for UX Designer

Technical Writer

Technical Writers are responsible for creating documentation for websites, applications, and other technical products. You will work with developers and designers to understand the product and create documentation that is clear, concise, and easy to understand. Intro to HTML5 may be useful in understanding the basics of how websites and applications are structured and how to write documentation for them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Web Designer

Web Designers are responsible for the visual design of a website or application. You will work with colors, fonts, and layouts to create a website that is visually appealing and easy to use. Intro to HTML5 may be useful in understanding the basics of how a website is structured and how design elements are implemented.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Designer

Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. You will work with a team of developers to create software that meets the needs of users. Intro to HTML5 may be useful in understanding the basics of how websites and applications are structured and how project managers work with teams to create them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Systems Analyst

Systems Analysts are responsible for analyzing and designing computer systems. You will work with clients to understand their needs and create systems that meet those needs. Intro to HTML5 may be useful in understanding the basics of how websites and applications are structured and how they interact with other systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst

Business Analyst

Business Analysts are responsible for analyzing and understanding business needs. You will work with stakeholders to understand their needs and create solutions that meet those needs. Intro to HTML5 may be useful in understanding the basics of how websites and applications are structured and how they can be used to meet business needs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Software Engineer

Software Engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining software applications. You will work with a team of developers to create software that meets the needs of users. Intro to HTML5 may be useful in understanding the basics of how websites and applications are structured and how software engineers work together to create them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Computer Programmer

Computer Programmers are responsible for writing code that implements software applications. You will work with a team of developers to create software that meets the needs of users. Intro to HTML5 may be useful in understanding the basics of how websites and applications are structured and how computer programmers work together to create them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Programmer

Quality Assurance Analyst

Quality Assurance Analysts are responsible for testing and verifying the quality of software applications. You will work with developers to identify and fix bugs in software. Intro to HTML5 may be useful in understanding the basics of how websites and applications are structured and how they can be tested for quality.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Analyst

Database Administrator

Database Administrators are responsible for managing and maintaining databases. You will work with databases to ensure that they are secure, efficient, and available. Intro to HTML5 may be useful in understanding the basics of how databases are structured and how they are used in websites and applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

Back-End Developer

Back-End Developers are responsible for the server-side of a website or application. You will work with databases, servers, and APIs to ensure that the website or application can function properly. Intro to HTML5 may be useful in understanding the basics of how a website functions and how back-end code interacts with the front-end.

See salaries and explore the career path for Back-End Developer