Computer Practical Guide
Computer Practical Guide
Word processing is the process of creating a word document and involves typing, editing, formatting and
printing of text document using a word processor.
Word processor is a tool or program that can be used to create, edit, format, store and print a document
that contains text and graphics
Examples of word processors include: Microsoft Word, Corel WordPerfect, Lotus WordPro, Apple Pages,
OpenOffice.org Writer, etc.
Text editors are simple word processors that are generally used to type without any special formatting.
Text editors are mainly used to create small notes, memos and programs.
BASIC TERMINOLOGY
Typeface is the shape of the characters. Some common typefaces are Times New Roman, Arial, and
Tahoma.
Line spacing refers to the amount of vertical white space between two lines of text, from baseline
to baseline. Line spacing is measured in points.
Text alignment refers to the way lines of text are arranged relative to the edges of a block of text.
There are four types of alignment: left, centre, right, and justify.
Justification is the process of aligning text in a document to both the left and right margins at the
same time.
Indent is the amount of white space set in between the margin and the beginning of text. Examples
of indents include the first line indent, hanging indent and right indent.
Formatting text is the process of changing the appearance of text in a document. Formatting text
involves using commands like bold, italics, underlining, changing font colour, etc.
Editing text refers to the process of making changes to the content of an existing document. Editing
text involves commands like cut, paste, overtype, undo, insert, and delete.
Copy – To place selected text on the clipboard, without removing it from its current location.
Cut – To remove selected text from its current position and place it on the clipboard. Copy and
paste duplicated text, while Cut and paste moves text to a new location.
The clipboard is an area of memory in which you can store copied or cut text, graphics or any other
items temporarily before being pasted into other locations.
The paste special feature helps to avoid pasting text with all its formatting. The paste special
feature provides more control over what to paste.
Header- The header refers to text that appears in the top margin of all pages in a document.
Footer - The footer refers to text that appears in the bottom margin of all pages in a document.
Ruler - You can use the ruler to set the indent, margin and tab markers. Avoid using the space bar
to align text!
1
Tabs Stops– tab stops are places where text can be made to line up. You can set a tab stop by
clicking on the ruler bar at the desired position.
Hard Copy– A copy of a document printed out on physical paper.
Soft Copy– A copy of a document that is stored on a disk or other computer storage device.
Overtype Mode– Also called overwrite mode, causes any characters you type to replace
("overtype") the characters at the cursor. You can switch between overtype mode and insert mode
by pressing the insert key.
Paragraph – The text between one paragraph break and the next. A paragraph break is inserted by
pressing Enter key.
Save – To write the document's current state from RAM to a storage device.
Proofreading is the process of reviewing a document to ensure the accuracy of its content. Proof
reading tools include spelling and grammar check (F7), thesaurus, etc.
Word Wrap: is a feature allows a user to type continuously without pressing the enter key at the end of
the end of the line.
Text wrap. Is a facility allowing text to surround embedded features such as pictures, tables, etc.
Find: allows the user to locate all occurrences of a particular character, word or phrase.
Replace: allows the user to substitute existing characters, words or phrases with the new ones.
Spell checker: allows the user to check spellings of the whole document at one time or to check and even
correct the spelling of individual words as they are typed (Autocorrect)
Grammar checker: this reports grammatical errors, usually by a wavy green line, and suggests ways to
correct them.
Thesaurus: suggests alternative words with the same meaning (synonyms) for use in the document.
Mail Merge: This is feature used to create similar letters to be sent to several people. The names and
addresses of each person can be merged with one single main document.
Automatic page numbering: numbers the pages automatically in a document
Tables: allow users to organize information into rows and columns.
Multi-columns: arranges text into two or more columns that look similar to newspaper or magazine
Drop cap – Formats the first letter in paragraph to be dropped across two or more lines.
Clipart:, refers to pre-made images about various subjects used to illustrate concepts in documents.
Templates: establish the initial document layouts and formats for various document types.
Printing: allows a user to obtain a hard copy of a document from the printer.
Word Count: Establishes the number of words, characters, paragraphs, etc. in a document.
Headers and Footers: Used to insert text in the top and bottom margin through the document.
Footnotes and Endnotes are used as references that provide additional information about a word
or phrase within a document.
Insert and Delete allows a user to add and remove portions of text while editing document.
3
Ctrl-Alt-E Endnote
Ctrl-Alt-F Footnote
Ctrl-Alt-S Split a window
Ctrl-Alt-U Table—removes border lines
Ctrl-Alt-Y Repeat Find
Ctrl-B Bold
Ctrl-C Copy
Ctrl-click Select Sentence
Ctrl-Enter Break—page
Ctrl-F Find
Ctrl-F10 Maximize window
Ctrl-F4 Close
Ctrl-F5 Document window—restore
Ctrl-H Replace
Ctrl-I Italics
Ctrl-J Justify—Full
Ctrl-K Hyperlink
Ctrl-L Align—Left
Ctrl-N New document
Ctrl-O Open a document
Ctrl-P Print
Ctrl-R Align—Right
Ctrl-S Save
Ctrl-Shift-C Copy formatting
Ctrl-Shift-D Double Underline
Ctrl-Shift-W Underline words only
Ctrl-U Underline
Ctrl-V Paste
Ctrl-W Close
Ctrl-X Cut
Ctrl-Y Repeat/Redo
F12 Save As
Shift-F3 Case change (capitalization)
Ctrl + A Select All
Page orientation - is the layout of a page in which a rectangular page is oriented for normal viewing.
Type of orientation
Portrait is the layout of a page in which the height of a page is greater than the width
Landscape is the layout of a page where the width is greater than the height
Paragraph spacing. This determines the amount of space above or below a paragraph.
Formatting a document. Is the process of improving on the appearance of a document involving
formatting text, setting margins, borders and shading, page layout, paper size and orientation
Tab stops. Are places where text can be made to line up. You can use the ruler to set manual tab
stops at the left side, middle, and right side of your document.
Format painter copies formatting from one place, which can be applied to another place
Document views. These include; Normal view, which shows formatting such as; line spacing, font,
point size, italics, etc. Web layout view enables you to view your document as it would appear in a
browser. Print layout view shows the document as it will look when it is printed. Reading
4
layoutformats your screen to make reading your document more comfortable. Outline view, displays
the document in outline form
Blocking or highlighting text. Is the selecting of text to make it ready for manipulation and
modification
Sorting. Is the arranging of a list of text say paragraphs, lines, words, etc, in either Ascending or
Descending order Alphabetically
A superscript. Is a word processing tool that places text above another, e.g. X2
A subscript. Is a word processing tool that places text below another, e.g. X 2
Borders and shadings. This involves enclosing text or objects in a frame and a decoration or painting.
Page break. This is used to terminate a page prematurely or by force.
Gutter margin. A gutter margin setting adds extra space to the side margin or top margin of a
document that you plan to bind. A gutter margin helps to ensure that text is not hidden by the
binding.
Page margins. Are the blank spaces around the edges of the page. Text & graphics are inserted in the
printable area between margins. However, headers, footers and page numbers can be inserted in the
margins
Question
Print preview
It is a feature in an application program that enables users to have a view in their document the way it
would look if printed.
SPREADSHEETS
A spreadsheet is a grid of rows and columns that accepts entry of data, allows editing, formatting and
manipulation of numeric data. Spreadsheets can also display data graphically with the help of charts and
graphs.
TYPES OF SPREADSHEETS
1. Manual spreadsheets. The manual spreadsheet is the most commonly used type by book keepers as a
ledger book with many sheets of papers divided into rows and columns on which various amounts of
money are entered manually using a pen or a pencil and manipulated manually with the help of a
calculator.
2. Electronic spreadsheets. An electronic spreadsheet is a spreadsheet prepared using a computer
program that enables the user to enter values in rows and columns and to manipulate them
mathematically using formulae and functions automatically.
Examples of electronic spreadsheet programs include; ViscCalc, Lotus 1-2-3, Microsoft Office Excel,
Quattro Pro, Microsoft Works, Multiplan, View sheet, Lucid 3D, etc.
6
10. Formula bar. Is a bar at the top of the Excel window that you use to enter or edit values or formulas in
cells or charts.
11. Autofill. This is the feature that allows you to quickly fill cells with repetitive or sequential data such as
chronological dates or numbers, and repeated text. To use this feature, you type one or two initial
values or text entries, and then Autofill does the restusing the fill handle, which is the small black
square in the lower-right corner of the selection. When you point to the fill handle, the pointer changes
to a black cross. Autofill recognises series of numbers, dates, months, times and certain labels.
12. Sorting data is to arrange records in either ascending or descending order.
13. Filtering datais the displaying of records that satisfy the set condition from the parent list.
14. Database. These are data values that can be entered in the cells of the spreadsheet and managed by
special spreadsheet features found on the data menu. The special spreadsheet features include; cell
referencing, data replication, automatic recalculation, formulas and functions, data filtering, copy, cut
and paste, clip art.
15. Graphs. A graph is a pictorial representation of the base data on a worksheet. Most spreadsheets refer
to graphs as charts.A chart is a graphical representation of data. A chart may be 2-D or 3-D
16. What-if analysis. Is a process of changing the values in cells to see how those changes affect the
outcome of formulas on the worksheet. For example, varying the interest rate that is used in the
paying-back table to determine the amount of the payments.
17. Freezing panes. This is where rows and columns are frozen such that they remain visible as you scroll
through the data especially if the database is too big to fit on one screen.
Uses/Applications of Spreadsheets
1. Preparation of budgets
2. Preparation of cash flow analysis
3. Preparations of financial statements
4. Processing basic business information, like, job costing, payment schedules, stock control, tax records
5. Analysis of data from questionnaires
6. Presentation of information in tabular form, graphical or charts forms
7. Mathematical techniques and computation like trigonometry
8. Statistical computations like standard deviations.
OPERATORS
Operators specify the type of calculation that you want to perform on the elements of a formula. There is a
default order in which calculations occur, but you can change this order by using brackets.
Types of Operators
There are four types of calculation operators: arithmetic, comparison, text concatenation, and reference.
Arithmetic operators
These are used to perform basic mathematical operations such as addition, subtraction, division or
multiplication; combine numbers; and produce numeric results.
Comparison Operators
These are used to compare two values, and the result is a logical value either TRUE or FALSE.
7
Comparison operator Meaning Example
= (equal sign) Equal to A1=B1
> (greater than sign) Greater than A1>B1
< (less than sign) Less than A1<B1
>= (greater than or equal to sign) Greater than or equal to A1>=B1
<= (less than or equal to sign) Less than or equal to A1<=B1
<> (not equal to sign) Not equal to A1<>B1
CELL REFERENCES
A Cell reference is an address given to a particular cell or group of cells on a worksheet. e.g. A2, B6, B3.
1. Relative cell reference. Here, the address of a cell is based on the relative position of the cell that
contains the formula and the cell referred to. If you copy the formula, the reference automatically
adjusts. A relative cell reference takes the form: A1, B17, G20, C2.
2. Absolute cell reference. Here, the exact address of a cell is used in the formula, regardless of the
position of the cell that contains the formula. An absolute cell reference takes the form: $A$1, $D$6,
$B$3, $E$6.
3. Mixed cell reference. This is a type that uses both relative and absolute cell references at once. It may
use an absolute column reference and a relative row reference or vice versa, e.g. $G17, B$14, D$2, $E2.
FORMULAS
Formulas are equations that perform calculations on values in your worksheet and return a value in a
chosen cell, e.g. =A2+B2, =(A3+B3+C3+D3)/4, =A6*B4, =C4-D4, =E10/G10
LOGICAL FUNCTIONS
Function Description
AND Returns TRUE if all of its arguments are TRUE; Returns FALSE if any argument is FALSE
FALSE Returns the logical value FALSE
IF Specifies a logical test to perform
IFERROR Returns a value you specify if a formula evaluates to an error; otherwise, returns the result
of the formula
NOT Reverses the logic of its argument
OR Returns TRUE if any argument is TRUE
TRUE Returns the logical value TRUE
ERROR ALERTS
Microsoft Excel displays an error value in a cell when it cannot properly calculate the formula for that cell.
Below are some common error values and their meanings.
FUNCTIONS
A function is a prewritten formula that takes a value or values, performs an operation, and returns a value
or values in a chosen cell. Examples of functions in MS Office Excel include the following:
PRESENTATION SOFTWARE
This is application software used to create presentations, which can communicate ideas and other
information to a group of audience. The presentation can be viewed as a slide show, which usually displays
on a large monitor or projected screen. Some presentation software can convert an existing slide show into
a format that can be accessed on the web.
Examples of popular electronic presentation software include; Microsoft PowerPoint, Corel Presentations,
Lotus Freelance Graphics, Microsoft Producer, Open Office Presentation, etc.
9
Applications of Presentation Software
1. Presenting learning materials to students in schools (CAL)
2. Presenting speeches and minutes in meeting
3. Used in training sessions
4. Used in presenting campaign manifestos
5. Used in conferences and seminars
6. Used in sales promotions to market products
7. Used in business shows, mobile kiosks and clinics
o Simplicity of the presentation. The best slide is usually simple, easy and to the point. The audience may
need more time to understand complicated slides while time is always limited during presentations.
o Know the audience and their expectations in order to give the right message to the right people. e.g.
are they children, matures or a mixture. Are they clients or seniors of the organisation
o Relevance of the content. Ensure that the content of your slides is relevant to the topic of discussion in
order to capture the attention of the audience
o Use of images, graphics and diagrams. Slides are visual aid to help you explain complex ideas in an easy
way. Therefore, use the right and relevant images, graphics and charts to represent your ideas visually.
o Make the right choice of colours, font styles, font sizes, transitions, animations, links which suit the
viewers
10
8. Graphics. A general term used to mean pictures, images, charts, photo, tables, etc, that you can add to
a presentation
9. ClipArt. A general term for a library of pictures in the computer. Presenter’s notes,these contain ideas
you want to discuss for each slide in your presentation.
10. Action buttons. Are ready-made buttons that can be inserted into your presentation. These enable you
to perform actions upon clicking or moving mouse over them
11. Auto content wizard. This is a presentation wizard that contains data from which one can select and
edit to create a personalised or customised presentation.
12. Slide layout. Slide layouts contain formatting, positioning, and placeholders for all the content that
appears on a slide. Layout contains the theme (colours, fonts, effects, and the background) of a slide.
Master layout is a term applied to a presentation’s overall design.
13. Timing. Is a technique by which slides or text appear on the screen during a presentation, i.e. on mouse
click or automatically after a defined period.
PowerPoint Views
1. Normal view. Is a Tri-pane window that provides the text outline of the entire presentation on the left,
the current slide on the upper-right, and speaker’s notes on the lower-right. This is the default
PowerPoint view
2. Outline view. This enables one to edit and display all presentation text in one location instead of one
slide at a time. It appears without the objects or images in the slide.
3. Slide view. Shows a graphic view of the current slide for editing and viewing
4. Slide sorter view. This displays the entire presentation so that one can add, delete and move slide.
5. Notes page. Provides a large area to view or type speaker’s notes on a slide
6. Slide show. Is a collection of slides moving in a defined sequence at a present timing that one can
control and change with special effects
DATABASES
Database is a collection of logically related data with descriptions designed to meet the information needs
of an organisation. Databank is an enormous/large collection of two or more databases for several users
within and outside an organisation.
Database management system (DBMS) is software system that allows multiple users to define, create,
store, maintain and control access to the database. Examples of DBMSs include; Microsoft Access, Oracle,
Microsoft SQL Server, Dbase, Fox Pro, Sysbase
TYPES OF DATABASES
1. Flat databases. These consist of one table
2. Relational databases. These consist of two or more tables and manipulate data by relating the tables.
11
10. Used to create professional good-looking reports
11. Used to change appearance of information, i.e. perform some formatting, etc.
1. Data redundancy. Data are often repeated in more than one file.
2. Updating difficulties. Keeping all files up-to-date can be problematic
3. Data dispersion. Scattered data are difficult for programs and people to share
4. Under-utilisation of data. Dispersed data cannot usually be used to full advantage
5. Not durable. Data on manual papers does not last for long
6. Exposed to risks. Data can be easily lost due to fire, rot, termites, rats, etc.
7. Data dependence. Programs may be dependent on the data formats and file organisation.
DATABASE OBJECTS
1. Table. Is a collection of data arranged and stored in rows and columns. It is the basic/primary object
where all other objects derive data from.
2. Query. Is used to ask questions on table data and find qualifying answers.
12
3. Form. Is a tool for displaying data from data tables easily and for entering & editing data in the data
tables.
4. Report. Is a summarised and good-looking display of data from tables and queries. It is for output only.
DEFINITION OF TERMINOLOGIES
1. File. Refers to the entire collection of data in the database.
2. Field. This is the entire column that contains similar data items
3. Field name. This is the name/title of a particular field
4. Field type. This refers to how particular data items are stored in a table
5. Field properties. This refers to specific characteristics of particular fields
6. Record. This refers to particulars within a file, or a set of entire data items in a row
7. Macro. This is an automated procedure of action in a computer
8. Attribute. This refers to a group of fields or columns in a table
9. Primary key. This is a unique record identifier in the table. It is used to ensure that there are no
duplicate fields in the table. It is also used to create relationships among tables.
10. A foreign key, is a copy of the primary key in another table
11. A view. Is a virtual table that does not necessarily exist in its own right but may be dynamically derived
from one or more base tables
12. Relationships. This refers to how two or more entities/tables share information in the database
structure. That is, how data in one table are related to data in another table. Relationships are of three
types; one-to-one (1:1), one-to-many (1:M) and many-to-many (M:M)
13. Datasheet view. This is a table view which allows you to update, edit, format and delete information
from the table.
14. Design view is a table view which provides tools for creating fields in a table, i.e. specify field names,
data types, field properties and descriptions (a view for creating the table)
DATA TYPES
Data type specifies and determines the kind/category of values or information entered in the field
containers. There are various data types applied in Microsoft Access and these include;
1. Text. Are alphabetic letters or numbers that cannot be calculated. Examples of such fields are; names,
addresses, subject names, course names, telephone numbers, etc. it can contain up to 255 characters.
2. Number. Refers to numerical data you can calculate but not relating to money, e.g. age, height, weight,
course duration, score, number of items in stock. It can be whole number or fraction.
13
3. Currency. Are numerical monetary values that can be calculated and may have a currency symbol or
not such as £56000.05, 59000.89, $5362, €4563, etc. It is suitable for field like; salary, gross pay, net
pay, PAYE, school fees, amount paid, etc.
4. Memo. It is for lengthy descriptive text and numbers usually several sentences or paragraphs. It can
contain a maximum of 32,000 characters. It is suitable for fields like; remarks, comments, particulars,
descriptions.
5. Date/Time. For months, date and time values that are in the form; dd/mm/yy or dd-mm-yy, i.e.
date/month/year for dates and Hr:Min:sec, i.e. Hour:Minutes:Seconds for time values. It is suitable for
fields like; date of birth, date of joining, on/off set date/time, date/time of departure/arrival, etc.
6. AutoNumber. A number that automatically increments for each record you enter. It stores sequential
numbers entered automatically by Microsoft Access starting with one. They are unique and can make a
good primary key. It is suitable for fields like; registration number, ID number, membership number,
etc
7. Yes/No. Here you can enter and store only one value or answer out of the available two options but
not both. It is suitable for fields like; true/false, on/off, smoker/non-smoker, Ugandan/Non-Ugandan,
in/out, etc.
8. Object linking and embedding (OLE object). For object data and other binary information such as;
sounds, symbols, graphics/pictures such as; signatures, thumbprints, company logos, one’s photo, etc.
9. Hyperlink. Stores data in form of hyperlinks, which are the blue-coloured hotspots or connections that
can be clicked to open other pages or documents, e.g. e-mail address, website, bookmarks, etc.
10. Lookup wizard. Refers to a list of items in form of a list-box from which you can choose the desired
item during data entry, especially if that data exists in another table or form. It is suitable for repetitive
data such as marital status; single, married, separated, divorced, widowed, etc
11. Calculated data type. This new data type lets you create a field that is based on a calculation of other
fields in the same table. For example, you might create a Line Total field that contains the product of a
Quantity field and a Unit Price field. Then, if you update the Quantity or Unit Price field, the Line Total
is updated automatically
12. Attachment. This is the preferred data type for storing digital images and any type of binary file, like;
Pictures, Images, Office files
FIELD PROPERTIES
These are traits or characteristics defining data entered in particular fields. Common properties include
1. Field size. This specifies the maximum length of a field. That is, the maximum number of characters to
be stored in the field. e.g. if you specify field size as 5, only 5 or less characters will be allowed in the
column.
2. Format. Specifies the way that the field appears by default when displayed or printed.
3. Decimal Places. It is used to specify the number of decimal places to use when displaying numbers
4. Input Mask. Specifies the pattern or format for data to be entered in that field, e.g. (--/--/--) for date.
5. Caption. Used to set the text displayed by default in labels for forms, reports, and queries.
6. Default Value. A value that appears in the field automatically even before you enter there anything.
7. Validation Rule. An expression that must be true whenever you add or change the value in a given
field. e.g. >=10 for age, “married” or “single” for marital status, etc.
8. Validation Text. A message displayed when a value violates the expression in the Validation Rule
property. e.g. “please, marital status is either single or married”
9. Required. Specifies whether or not an entry must be entered in that field. That is, if yes, you must type
an entry, but if no, you may proceed without entering anything.
10. Allow Zero Length. A provision for a field to be left blank in case of unavailable data to be entered later
even if the setting for required is yes. Nulls indicate that data may exist but it is unknown. To enter a
null, leave the required property as no and leave the field blank, e.g. a company without a fax number
11. Indexed. It specifies whether or not duplicates in the field should be allowed in order to speed up the
data search, sort, filter, etc.
14
12. Text Align. Specifies the default alignment of text within a control.
13. New Values. Specifies whether an AutoNumber field is incremented or assigned a random value when
a new record is added
14. Unicode Compression. Compresses text stored in this field when a small amount of text is stored (<
4,096 characters).
15. IME Mode. Controls conversion of characters in an East Asian version of Windows.
16. IME Sentence Mode. Controls conversion of sentences in an East Asian version of Windows.
17. Smart Tags. Attaches a smart tag to this field.
18. Append Only. Tracks the history of field values (by setting the property's value to Yes).
19. Text Format. Choose the property's Rich Text value to store text as HTML and allow rich formatting.
Choose the property's Plain Text value to store only unformatted text.
DATA VALIDATION
Validation is the process of comparing the data entered with a set of predefined rules or values to check if
the data is acceptable. Validation is the name for the checks that detect incorrect data, display an error
message and request another input or just reject the data.
Data validation is the checking of input data for errors (e.g. of the correct data type) before processing.
Common data validation checks include; presence/existence or completeness check, range check, limit
check, data type check or character check or alphanumeric check, format check, consistency check, control
total check, and hash total check.
ERRORS
An error is a fault or an issue that arises unexpectedly causing the program not to function properly and to
close. Common types of errors include; transcription errors and transposition errors. Transpositions errors
include; error of omission, error of addition, random error, overflows error, rounding up error, and
truncation errors.
WEB DESIGN
Topic outline
WEBSITE PUBLISHING
Is the process involved in making information available on the World-Wide Web. Which includes
designing, organizing and uploading of web pages onto web servers.
IMPORTANT TERMS
Content management: The activity of acquiring, collecting, editing, tracking, accessing digital content to
include in a web site.
A content management system (CMS) - System with predesigned templates used to manage the content
of a Web site.
15
It allows the content manager or author, who may not know Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), to
manage the creation, modification or removal of content from a Website without needing the expertise of
a Webmaster
Webmaster - is a person who Creates and manages the information content (words and pictures) and
organization of a Web site or Manages the computer server and technical programming aspects of a Web
site Or does both.
Website Hosting - Service that allows individuals and organizations to have their own websites
accommodated on a particular web server from which they are accessed by others on the World Wide
Web.
Web hosts- are companies that provide space (web hosting) on a server they own for use by their clients. A
web site can also be hosted on a home or private server in a home or local area network.
Website - Collection of related hyperlinked web pages hosted on a particular webserver on the World
Wide Web. Each Web site may contain one or more web pages. Each site has a home page,
Webpage - Is a document, typically written in HTML that is accessible via HTTP (hypertext transfer
Protocol), a protocol that transfers information from the Web server to display in the user's Web browser.
Hyperlink - is the reference or navigation element in a document to another section of the same document
or to another document that may be on a different website.
HTML- (Hypertext Markup Language) HTML uses blocks of text enclosed within angled brackets which are
referred to as HTML tags. These tags are codes which describe the structure and formatting of the
document (how the web page is displayed by the browser). The tags describe normal text paragraphs,
headings, bullet lists, etc. A user's Web browser reads and displays the HTML document, according to the
tags that were used to design the web page.
Home page - A home page is the first or introductory page of a website; it contains the introductory
information about the site. By default, it is names as the index page or index.htm to indicate to the
browser that this is the first page to open in the site.
It should be easy to navigate with well arranged, easy to see navigation buttons.
It should have a Simple and clear layout of sections and content which makes it user friendly, that
is, the visitors should be able to the find content easily.
It must be pleasing to the eye to encourage visitors to the site.
It should load quickly to avoid disappointing potential visitors to the site.
It should have readable font, web safe eye pleasing colours so that visitors can read the content
easily.
It should be interactive with contact information, possibility of e-mail, online communication forum
and chats. Message boards etc.
It should have active links which enable visitors to access other references. Dead link can frustrate
visitors.
It should be frequently updated and must have a dated of last update. The visitors to the site
expect to find up to date useful information.
16
The web pages must have web page titles and brief summaries about the page or site.
All pages in the web site should have a uniform layout. Consistent colors, layouts and type enhance
the image of the owners.
A web site is a Publicity tool or exposure to the public of organisations such as a business or school.
It is a Communication tool for information exchange between an organization and the public or a group of
people.
A website provides a convenient and cheap base of operation for individuals and businesses. For example,
owners of websites can easily advertise on their websites.
Web sites can be a source of income to advertisers and web site developers. Space can also be hired for
advertisements.
School academic work can be posted on a school website for students to access.
Homework assignments may be included along with web-based activities that students can complete after
school.
Web Quests and research activities may be posted on to a school web site, with relevant links for the
students to access. Then students can post the work they have completed based on their research.
A Web Quest is an inquiry-based approach to learning involving students in a wide range of activities that
make good use of Internet-based resources. During this activity, questions or problems are often
researched, and learners work cooperatively to find solutions. Each learner within a group can be given a
"role," or specific area to research.
Teachers can share ideas with other teachers and make them available to everyone else on the Website.
Parents can have private access to their child’s class work and keep abreast of homework/prep
assignments, field trips and other events.
The school website is used to show school information and policy. Such information as school History,
Mission, plans, alumni, anthem and address. School policy information might include use of the Internet in
school, promotion requirements, dress code, absences, and behavior expectations.
The site can be used to encourage parent involvement in school activities by keeping them informed of
opportunities such as volunteering,
PTA meetings, and fundraising activities-enabling parents find the activities that fit their time and schedule
constraints as well as their interests.
17
It helps to develop school spirit by allowing Students to submit articles, reports on class trips, and special
school events in form of newsletters.
Involving students gives them a chance to share their thoughts in writing and build school spirit.
Designing is the initial process of web publishing through which a web page is created.
A web page is created using a language called, Hypertext Markup Language, better known as HTML Code.
You can write your own coding within a plain text editor, such as Notepad, or use an HTML editor, which
will write the code for you.
HTML codes, also referred to as HTML tags, are enclosed by the less than (<) and greater than (>) brackets
(angled brackets) and may be written in capital or lower case letters.
The opening bracket is followed by an element, which is a browser command, and ends with the closing
bracket. For example, <font size=2>
an element may also be followed by attributes, which are words describing the properties of the element,
and further instruct the browser.
Attributes are only contained in the opening HTML tags to the right of the element and are separated by a
space and followed by an equal (=) sign.
HEAD - The second tag in your document. Enclosed within the beginning tag: <HEAD> and the ending tag:
</HEAD> is information about the document that will not display in the body of the document.
TITLE - The document title, which is enclosed with a begin title tag: <TITLE> and an end title tag: </TITLE>,
all of which is enclosed with the HEAD tags above. The title does not display as part of the document itself,
but appears in the browser window title. It is also what is used to name your document in a bookmark list.
BODY - The complete text of your document is wrapped by a begin body tag: <BODY> and an end body tag:
</BODY>.
HTML EDITORS - An HTML editor is a software application for creating web pages. Although the HTML
markup of a web page can be written with any text editor such as Note pad, specialized HTML editors can
offer convenience and added functionality. For example, many HTML editors work not only with HTML, but
also with related technologies such as CSS, XML and JavaScript or ECMAScript, and PHP. In some cases they
18
also manage communication with remote web servers via FTP and WebDAV, and version management
systems such as CVS or Subversion.
There are many HTML Editors for purchase or download. Recent versions of Word and WordPerfect have
HTML Editors, or you can choose to use a dedicated HTML editor such as FrontPage or Dreamweaver.
When using a word processing application to create an HTML file, open the word processed document,
then select the menu option FILE : Save As HTML or choose to use the MsWord web page wizard.
19