Making Web Pages

Abstract

This lesson allows students to explore basic functions of HTML and web page design.

Students will do so by creating a basic web page in a text editor. They will learn to perform commands such as changing font size and color.

Objectives

Upon completion of this lesson, students will be familiar with basic HTML commands.

Student Prerequisites

• Students must be able to:
  • perform basic mouse manipulations such as point, click and drag

Teacher Preparation

Students will need:

• Access to a HTML editor such as BBEdit.
• Handouts of basic HTML commands

Lesson Outline

Explain that web sites are made through a set of text instructions in a language called HTML (HyperText Markup Language). To make HTML documents, you can use any type of text editor (have them give examples of these to make sure they understand), such as BBEdit or Word. Help them make a basic web page, explaining tags as you go. Show them how to change font sizes and colors, as well as alignment such as centering. Let them play around with this, and show them how to look at their pages on the web (click the file and drag into a browser).

A full list of HTML commands can be found here.

Alternate Outlines

• Students can work in groups or individually to create their pages
• Students can be taught how to use a local server, with UNIX text editors such as emacs and vi. This will allow the student sites to be broadcasted on the Internet, so that they can show off their work to family and friends.

Suggested Follow Up

If time permits, teach students to make links.