Web design software for KS3?

[scgf]

I have been using NVU with my year 8 pupils to enable them to design websites. The problem is NVY is just too buggy.

 

Is there anything else for Windows that lets users to design a site using WYSIWYG yet allows them to make changes to the html code as well?

 

We tried Serif Web Plus, but that was just too different and showed no html at all. Dreamweaver is just too over the top and too expensive.

 

We are happy to pay a reasonable cost for good software.

 

Thanks for any advice offered.

[GrumbleDook]

Frontpage?

 

/me runs fast ... very fast!

[john]

I have no issue with using FrontPage to teach kids, and I even dip in and out of it for convienience myself for odd lines of code, fine whole sites on it are a bit old technology now and messy code but as the alternative on VL is SharePoint Designer which is scary for little children to use (scarey for big adults as well!) FP is better really.

[apearce]

Frontpage was split into two products. One is SharePoint Designer and other is expressions. Have a look at Expressions Web.

 

http://www.microsoft.com/expression/products/overview.aspx?key=web

[SteveT]

Serifs WebPlus??

[mrtechsystems]

Good deal on at the moment all for about £1400

 

Sorry Serif Web Ex 2

 

 

Sixth Form love it

 

Hdw-Serif GraphicsPad Tablet 5

Bun-Extra Staff Set (All 5 Inc WPX2) 5

Lic-WebPlus X2 - User License 60

Icd-Corp PhotoPlus Curriculum Tutorial CD

Icd-Corp Serif MoviePlus Tutorials 1

DrawPlus Curriclulum Tutorials 1

Lic-WebPlus X2 License Pack 1

Lic-MoviePlus 5 - License Pack 1

Lic-DrawPlus X2 User License 60

Lic-DrawPlus X2 License Pack 1

Lic-PhotoPlus X2 User License 60

Lic-PhotoPlus X2 License Pack 1

Lic-MoviePlus 5 - User License 20

________________________________________

 

Amount Payable (Inc VAT): £1645.00

 

[CyberNerd]

Use a CMS. The kids are already used to CMS's (bebo,facebook) so its natural for them. Also A CMS can be used for e-portfolios and social learning.

You can edit the html, or use a wysiwyg editor, add pictures, movies podcasts.

No software to install on clients - just a browser. did I mention its free:

drupal.org | Community plumbing

 

btw. does anyone actually build static html sites these days?

Edited May 22, 2008 by CyberNerd

[webman]

Re: using a CMS. Doesn't the curriculum call for using tools such as WYSIWYG editors so that students learn about files, images etc? In that a CMS does everything for them? Is using a CMS actually teaching them anything about web design/development? Would the ICT teachers even have a clue?

[CyberNerd]

Re: using a CMS. Doesn't the curriculum call for using tools such as WYSIWYG editors so that students learn about files, images etc? In that a CMS does everything for them?

 

Yes, but there is nothing to stop students learning about things like file size and appropriate formats when using a CMS. You can probably configure them to only accept suitable file types/sizes - so in that respect its easier.

A CMS should be able to display the WYSIWYG and view the HTML. Same with Kompozer,Dreamweaver. Some even have image resizers built in (imagemagick) so that students can upload an image then resize it in situ.

 

Is using a CMS actually teaching them anything about web design/development?

 

Yes. Most of web design is about appropriate layout etc. it does that no problem. The only thing I can really think a good CMS doesn't do is directory structure.

 

Would the ICT teachers even have a clue?

 

Probably not. Most ICT teachers still think in the 1990's.

Thinking out of the box only confuses people.

Teaching will go towards CMS eventually though.