Web CMS Courses in Dubai

Course Details

Web CMS Program

 

Course description

In a rapidly changing world, the need for online publishers to keep up with the needs and expectations of their site visitors is paramount. Today, many web publishers use content management systems (CMS) to allow them to instantly and dynamically update web pages and properties as new content becomes available so that every visit to a site is engaging, informative, and meaningful. This course explores the use of the three most popular open source web-based content management systems—WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal—to create dynamic and flexible websites and landing pages. Participants explore the fundamentals of planning dynamic websites, CMS database management, developing CSS-controlled site templates, and creating database-driven websites through the planning and creation of their own topic-based sites. 

 

Course outline

 

Introducing Content Management Systems

This lesson will give learners an overview of some of the different tools and methods that today’s web publishers are using to create highly-tailored dynamic web content.

· Review of Syllabus and other materials

· Grading and attendance policies

· Purchasing and configuring a domain name and web hosting

· Exploring CMS terminology, including open source, PHP, MySQL, server-side, client-side, static HTML website, how CMS web pages are generated, and so forth.

· Website strategy and planning, site mapping, content planning

Introduction to Joomla

This week marks the start of an exploration of Joomla!, the second most popular web CMS solution available today. We will explore the CAM model (Categories, Articles, Menus) approach to creating content for Joomla environments. Special attention will also be spent on the administration and management of users and media.

· Installing Joomla

· Exploring the Admin Interface

· Content creation using the CAM model

· Content customization: images, video, audio, tags, formats, etc.

· Adding and displaying menus

· Linking menus to articles and other features

Extending Joomla This week we will explore the use of Joomla, Plug-ins, Modules, Components and other extensions. Special attention will be paid to the installation of extensions.

· Finding and adding Joomla extensions

· Must have extensions for any Joomla site

· Adding and setting up 2 “big” extensions (choose blog, calendar, image gallery, Paypal-based shopping cart, or portfolio. Other extensions on approval)

Custom Templates This week we will explore the addition of creation and uses of customized Joomla templates as well as take a look at modifying templates using CSS and HTML tricks.

· Creating customized Joomla templates

· Modifying Joomla CSS and HTML parameters

· Tweaking the Joomla backend

· Mobile considerations

User management and permissions

Explore how to manage users in your Joomla site, including managing who sees what based on login, as well as who can do what based on permissions assigned

Introduction to WordPress

With Joomla under our belts, we next explore WordPress, the most popular web CMS solution available today.

· WordPress.org vs. WordPress.com

· Installing WordPress

· Exploring the admin interface

· Content creation: Posts vs. pages

· Content customization: images, video, audio, tags, formats, etc.

Assignment 1 (33.33% of grade)

Build a Joomla website. The site should contain at least 10 pages of content written by you. You should demonstrate mastery of all areas of Joomla covered in class, including:

· Making use of the CAM to enter content for the site, including images and content, plus customizations and tweaks.

· Creating at least one menu bar for the website.

· Add extensions to the site as described in the assignment.

· Create a custom template for the site.

· Create a custom area for select users to view and potentially interact with.

Extending WordPress As with Joomla, WordPress has the ability to extend, by adding functionality to the CMS via plug-ins and widgets. Learn about working with plug-ins and widgets, including identifying a good plug-in or widget, installing, and configuring them.

 

WordPress Theming This week we will explore the addition of creation and uses of customized WordPress themes as well as take a look at modifying themes using CSS and HTML tricks.

· Creating customized WordPress themes

· Modifying WordPress CSS and HTML parameters

· Mobile considerations

Introduction to Drupal: Rebecca Mazur, instructor

Finally we look at Drupal, the 3rd most popular web CMS solution available today, and generally recognized as more complicated/powerful (depending on your perspective) than Joomla or WordPress.

· Installing Drupal 8

· Exploring the admin interface

· Content creation: nodes, basic content, site information

· Content customization: images, video, audio, tags, formats, etc.

Assignment 2 (33.33% of grade)

Build a WordPress website. The site should contain at least 10 pages of content written by you. The content may be the same as your Joomla site – indeed, this is a preferred approach to class. You should demonstrate mastery of all areas of WordPress covered in class, including:

· Create posts and pages

· Including media, images, etc.

· Add plug-ins and widgets to the site as described in the assignment.

· Create a custom theme for the site.

Extending Drupal Content: Rebecca Mazur, instructor

Learn about customizing your content entry with different content types for your Drupal site. Add new fields to existing content types; create new content types; and customize their display. Adjust the default image settings, or create your  own image styles. Apply the image styles to content types that use image fields.

Extending Drupal Functionality via Modules: Rebecca Mazur, instructor

As with Joomla and WordPress, Drupal has the ability to extend, by adding functionality to the CMS via modules. Learn about working with modules, including identifying good modules, installing, and configuring them. Enhance the display of content through the use of the module Display Suite.

Creating Lists of Content with Views: Rebecca Mazur, instructor 

One of Drupal’s most powerful modules allows you to create arbitrary lists of content. You can use the Views module to create a list of content, an image gallery, or a calendar.

Custom Theming: Rebecca Mazur, instructor

This week we will explore the addition of creation and uses of customized Drupal themes as well as take a look at modifying themes using CSS and HTML tricks.

· Creating customized Drupal themes

· Modifying Drupal CSS and HTML parameters

· Mobile considerations

Drupal 7 Retrospective: Rebecca Mazur, instructor

While Drupal 8's release is exciting, Drupal 7 will be the dominant version in the wild for years to come. This week we'll review differences between 7 and 8 to prepare you for encounters with existing Drupal 7 sites in your work life. Topics touched on will include:

· Differences between the file structure in Drupal 7/8 (modules, themes, and core updates)

· Modules for Drupal 7 that approximate Drupal 8 core behaviors (Views, WYSIWYG, Skinr)

Assignment 3/Final Project (33.33% of grade)

Build a Drupal website. The site should contain at least 10 pages of content written by you. The content may be the same as your Joomla/WordPress sites – indeed, this is a preferred approach to class. You should demonstrate mastery of all areas of Drupal covered in class, including:

· Create nodes, basic content

· Including media, images, etc.

· Add modules to the site as described in the assignment.

· Modify a starter theme for the site.

· Create a custom view using an additional display module (e.g. a carousel or a calendar).