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Shodor Scholars Program 2009
Shodor > SUCCEED > Workshops > Archive > Shodor Scholars Program 2009

In preparation for the webpages they would make that afternoon, the students learned about two different graphics programs that would help them create their own logos. The programs that they were going to be using were Inkscape and Gimpshop. They started off with Inkscape to make the rough version of their logo. First, Sidhartha showed them examples of some of the web-pages created by the apprentices and the logos that they had. Then, students tried to define what a logo is. They concluded that it was a symbol and that each of them would create their own "symbol".

Since they were not familiar with Inkscape, Sidhartha introduced the students to the basics including toolbars and button functions. They went through everything from making squares to the calligraphy pen. When they actually started making the logos, they learned how to layer different objects and control the different aspects of their appearance. Finally, they learned how to work with the color tools in the program and use gradients for their own artistic touches.

After the break, the students learned about Gimpshop. Sidhartha explained the various tools available in this program. Then the students were able to further edit their images from earlier in the class. In the end, each student had created a header and a logo for their website.

In the afternoon, the students learned about HTML (HyperText Markup Language), XML (eXtensible Markup Language), and CSS (Cascading Style Sheets). In an introduction to how tags work in coding, Kaitrin used slang to explain how certain words or phrases clue in the computer to what the user is trying to say. For example, if you were to teach your grandmother the meaning of the phrase "it's the bomb" (which is used to express interest or satisfaction about something), Grandma would then recognize your intentions whenever she hears those trigger words. Coding languages use a similar principle to tell the computer what the user wants to do.

To begin, the class looked at the source code of a website so they could see what is really going on behind the scenes. Then, the students experimented with certain coding such as the title and paragraph tags. Under direction, the students wrote text on a blank website, modified the color and size of the text, and inserted images. These HTML basics show the students what it takes to create a website and enable the students to do research for more advanced commands.