Course Title: Customise a complex ICT content management system

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2019

Course Code: COSC7368C

Course Title: Customise a complex ICT content management system

School: 650T Vocational Business Education

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5341 - Diploma of Information Technology

Course Contact: Val Christou

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 5076

Course Contact Email: val.christou@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Course Leader: Michael Edwards

michael.edwards@rmit.edu.au

9925 1615

 

Nominal Hours: 80

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to create, and customise, an information and communications technology (ICT) content management system (CMS) powered website using an open source, to meet client requirements.

It applies to individuals working as web developers who have a detailed knowledge of markup languages and their associated standards, and are proficient in server-side language and security techniques. Individuals in this role also have high-level understanding of server functionality.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

ICTWEB507 Customise a complex ICT content management system

Element:

1. Analyse the specifications and requirements

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Determine the required functionality of the website, as per the client requirements

1.2 Determine the appropriate server-side language and hosting environment

1.3 Determine additional functionality that the CMS will not be able to handle 'out of the box'

1.4 Determine the functional requirements of the client's additional functionality

1.5 Determine any pre-existing restraints that need to be considered when developing the website solution

Element:

2. Develop customisation

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Plan and outline, the requirements of the additional functionality

2.2 Create and develop plug-in, extension or new functionality to the CMS to meet client requirements

Element:

3. Create a CMS powered website

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Install and configure, the chosen content management system

3.2 Install and integrate, the new CMS functionality

Element:

4. Validate and evaluate

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Validate final website markup against the current website standards

4.2 Validate CMS performance in different browsers, checking compatibility and core CMS functionality

4.3 Validate the developed additional functionality against the client requirements


Learning Outcomes



Details of Learning Activities

A range of learning activities are planned for this course on a variety of topics as shown in the teaching schedule.

 

This may include self-paced and collaborative classroom activities such as:

  • Class exercises
  • Challenges
  • Problem solving
  • Project work
  • Quizzes

We expect you to participate and contribute in all scheduled learning activities as each week builds on the next


Teaching Schedule

Course Delivery: 
The nominal hours associated with this are a guide only and represent the total teaching time and student effort required to successfully complete the course. This may include not only scheduled classes but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Semester 2 2019 

Week

Week Commencing

Topic

Learning Materials and Activities

Assessment Remarks

1

8 July  

Overview of the course.

Introduction to CMS Websites:
• Course introduction & overview
• Intro to WordPress. Hosting & sub-domains. MySQL GUIs
• Installing WordPress on a commercial host & jupiter server

Activity 1- Intro to Wordpress

Activity 2- Hosting site setup

Activity Handout

 

2

 15 July 

Users & comments. Creating a simple theme & plugin

Activity 1- Create a plugin

Activity 2- Create a theme

Activity Handout

Class activity- In class questions

3

 22 July 

Adding new Pages. Page templates, sidebars & widgets. Adding plugins. Managing images, gallery plugins & videos. Processing images with Photoshop or similar.

Activity 1- Add in Pages

Activity 2- Plugins

Activity Handout

ASSESSMENT 1 - Project Specifications issued

4

 29 July 

Managing themes. FTP accounts & simple child themes. Managing menus & sub-menu items. Reading settings. Table plugins

Activity 1- FTP

Activity 2- Menus and tables

Activity Handout

 

5

 5 Aug

Creating a new page template using PHP & CSS. Adding widgets, Google maps, contact forms & Captcha

Activity 1- Add in Page templates

Activity 2- Maps and Captcha

Activity Handout

 

6

 12 Aug 

Managing videos. Adding image sliders. Permalinks. Introduction to SEO. Database & content backups

Activity 1- Add in Videos

Activity 2- SEO and Backups

Activity Handout

 

7

 19 Aug

Introduction to WooCommerce, including settings & products. Validation against client requirements

Activity 1- Add in WooCommerce

Activity 2- Validation

Activity Handout

ASSESSMENT 1 - Preliminary Website Demonstration/ Feedback

8

 26 Aug 

Optimising pages using Yoast SEO. Selecting themes. Responsive & WooCommerce-friendly themes. Security issues. SSL certificates. Testing in browsers & on devices

Activity 1- SEO and optimization

Activity 2- Themes and testing

Activity Handout

ASSESSMENT 2 – WIL Project Specifications issued

Semester Break:  2 September – 8 September

9

 9 Sept

Customize options. Using Inspect in Chrome & Yellow Pencil. Final work on customisations & documentation for travel site

Activity 1- Customize the site

Activity 2- Yellow Pencil

Activity Handout

Revision for In class Assessment next week

10

 16 Sept

Fresh installation of WordPress. Client requirements for Business  Website project. Customising themes. Validating themes against standards. Creating footer menus

Activity 1- WIL project specs

Activity Handout

ASSESSMENT 1 - In-Class Quiz & Final Website Completion (by end of week)

11

 23 Sept

Creating logos & customising headers. Analysis of key plugins for to achieve functionalities required for business coaching Website. Class work on project

Activity 1- Add in Logos and Headers

Activity 2- Class work on project

Activity Handout

 

12

 30 Sept

Testing key plugins required eg. form, subscription & e-commerce plugins. Class work on project

Activity 1- Testing

Activity 2- e-commerce

Activity Handout

 

13

 7 Nov

Other useful plugins eg. backup, migration, analytics & caching plugins. Class work on project & documentation

Activity 1- Add in Plugins

Activity 2- Backup and migration

Activity Handout

ASSESSMENT 2 - Preliminary Website Feedback

14

14 Nov 

Validation against client requirements. Testing in browsers & on devices. SEO requirements. Web accessibility. Class work on project & documentation

Activity 1- Validation

Activity 2- SEO and project work

Activity Handout

 

15

 21 Nov

Project demonstrations (to teachers & clients in class). Final class work on documentation for business coaching Website

In Class presentation of site

ASSESSMENT 2 - Final Website & Documentation due (by end of week)

16

28 Nov 

Course & assessment feedback. Re-assessment if required

   

  
You will receive feedback after two weeks from the due date of each assessment.  If required, re-submissions are due by the end of the following week.


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

There is no prescribed textbook for this course. However the following textbook will be useful for the first half of the course. It is available free of charge as an EBL e-book (e-ISBN: 978-1-118-99639-3) via the RMIT Library Website.

Plumley, R. (3rd edn, 2016), WordPress 24-hour Trainer, Wiley Publishing (Wrox), ISBN: 978-1-118-99560-0

The videos accompanying this book are excellent: http://www.wrox.com/WileyCDA/Section/id-825053.html


References

Sabin-Wilson, L (3rd edn, 2016), WordPress Web Design For Dummies, John Wiley & Sons (For Dummies), 978-1-119-08846-2 (ISBN for PDF eBook)

This text is available free of charge as an e-book via the RMIT Library Website. It will be useful the middle part of the course, particularly for methods of customisation, including child themes.


Other Resources

You will need laptop with charger for each class  You may also refer to various media, websites, textbooks and e-books as indicated in Canvas



 


Overview of Assessment

In order to achieve competency in this unit, you must provide:

Performance Evidence

 Evidence of the ability to:    

  • create a content management system (CMS) powered website, using an open source with additional custom functionality that is not available ‘out of the box’, that meets client requirements
  • perform basic content manipulation tasks in commonly used browsers
  • evaluate content management additional functionality against current programming and security standards
  • customise functionality into a pre-existing core CMS, to fulfil client requirements by programming
  • validate the front-end code markup against standards set by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).

Knowledge Evidence

To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, you must:

  • analyse and describe, a range of content management systems and their respective functionality
  • explain markup language and their associated standards
  • outline server functionality in relation to the client and business requirements
  • describe and apply, server-side language and security techniques
  • explain the importance of web accessibility.

 Assessment Conditions

Assessment must be conducted in a safe environment where evidence gathered demonstrates consistent performance in conditions that are safe and replicate the workplace. Noise levels, production flow, interruptions and time variances must be typical of those experienced in the website technologies field of work, and include access to:

  • the client requirements, and content
  • a text editor
  • a range of browsers
  • the internet for research, validation of code and programming documentation

You are advised that you are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate your assessment work to your teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met.

Feedback

Feedback will be provided throughout the semester in class and/or online discussions.  You are encouraged to ask and answer questions during class time and online sessions so that you can obtain feedback on your understanding of the concepts and issues being discussed. Finally, you can email or arrange an appointment with your teacher to gain more feedback on your progress.

You should take note of all feedback received and use this information to improve your learning outcomes and final performance in the course.       


Assessment Tasks

 


ASSESSMENT 1 - Travel Website Project

For this assessment task you will be required to create a fully customised Website for a travel agent in consultation with a client, in this case your teacher. In particular you will learn some of the key features of WordPress and how a simple site can be planned, configured, developed and tested. You will work individually on this project.

In order to be deemed competent in this task you will be expected to demonstrate proficiency in a variety of areas including the following:

  • Analysing specifications & requirements for a Website
  • Creating a basic WordPress powered Website as per requirements
  • Customising WordPress to further its functionality
  • Validating a Website against current standards, browsers & client requirements

During the course you will develop knowledge and skills in key areas such as Web hosting, HTML, CSS, PHP, MySQL and WordPress. This will enable you not only to meet the basic requirements of the client, but also to develop any customisations needed to extend the functionality of the Website.

After initially installing WordPress you will be asked to demonstrate a simple child theme and a page template. This will involve HTML, CSS and PHP coding. You will need to understand the file and folder structure in WordPress.

After creating the initial required pages and menu, you will need to employ a variety of plugins in order to create image galleries and sliders, a contact form and a simple shopping cart, as well as implement SEO etc.

As you are developing your Website, you will be asked to demonstrate your site in class. You will of course receive feedback regarding the appearance and functionality of your site, particularly in relation to the client requirements.

Towards the end of the project you will be asked to develop further customisations, including some of your own choice. These will include selecting an attractive and responsive theme and customising your theme's appearance. Special plugins will be required.

Once your Website has been completed and validated, any major customisations will need to be documented for assessment purposes. Guidelines will be provided.

You will be expected to complete a checklist with your teacher and have finished all parts of the Website, including required customisations, by the end of Week 10.  Timely completion of each of the requirements and response to client feedback is therefore essential.

In Week 10 you will be questioned on key concepts and techniques in using WordPress via a formal online quiz. To be deemed competent in this task you will be expected to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in all areas of the course.

Key milestones in the project will be:


Preliminary Website Demonstration - Week 7

  • Implementation of basic requirements & customisations in WordPress as per client requirements
  • Draft versions of individual Web pages & posts as per client requirements
    eg. home page, contact form, gallery pages, sliders & blog posts
  • Comments & widgets displayed as per client requirements with a simple theme


In-Class Quiz & Final Website Completion - Week 10

  • Formal online quiz covering key concepts and techniques in using WordPress (conducted in class)
  • Final version of the Website, including all required plugins & a new fully-customised theme
  • Validation of Website against W3C standards, browsers & client requirements
  • Basic documentation highlighting any major customisations, including header and logo


ASSESSMENT 2 - WIL Website Project

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) is the term given to an activity which integrates academic learning with its application in the workplace. This semester, as part of RMIT's focus on innovation and WIL projects in 2019, you will be developing IT infrastructure for a local business.

For this assessment task you will be asked to use WordPress to create a fully-functional, customised Website for a business. You will need to consult with the key stakeholders, including a real client, as well as your teacher.

You will need to plan, configure, develop and test the Website as a team. You will work in pairs or teams of three on this project. You will be expected to maintain a simple team diary of tasks performed by team members each week to ensure a fair distribution of workload.

You will need to acquire a basic understanding of the business and how it operates, in particular various transactions including payments. Existing business documents such as a strategic plan for the business, and business forms and reports will be examined or developed well before you start the Website.

You will need to research and customise advanced plugins to achieve all the required functionalities.

Each team of students will need to formulate a number of questions for the client in order to clarify the requirements of the client for the Website. You will probably also need to refer to other Websites for similar businesses to get a better idea of the key requirements and arrive at an optimal solution for the client.

Text for each of the main pages on the Website will be supplied by the client, along with number of high quality photos. As mentioned above materials such as business documents will be available prior to the start of the project.

It is of course essential that all the requirements of the client are met, where feasible. You will be asked to demonstrate your Website to your teacher on a regular basis and to the client prior to completion.

You will of course receive feedback relating to the appearance and functionality of the site and be expected to implement any required changes. It also is possible that some changes to the scope of the project will need to be made. Therefore it is vital that each stage of the Website is completed on time.

You will also be asked to employ some basic SEO techniques to improve the Google rankings for the site and test your pages in a variety of browsers and devices. You will also be expected to research a suitable hosting plan, and write clear instructions for the client. Finally you will need to explain how to transfer and how to maintain the site.

You will also be expected to document all aspects of this project. Detailed documentation guidelines will be available midway through the project. It is recommended that each team uses Google Docs for the team proposal document. As mentioned above, a simple team diary will also be required.

Teams may be asked to submit a draft version of their documentation, and will be expected to submit the final team project proposal document on Canvas.

Key milestones in the project will be:

Preliminary Website Demonstration  (Week 13)

  • An attractive responsive theme (to be customised)
  • Draft versions of individual Web pages as per client requirements e.g. home page, contact form, subscription form, menu categories etc
  • Implementation of basic requirements & customisations in WordPress as per client requirements


Final Website Completion
 (Week 15)

  • Final version of the Website, including all key pages and plugins and a fully customised theme
  • Validation of Website against client requirements and W3C standards, testing in browsers and devices 


Final Website Documentation
  (Due Week 15)

  • The purpose & scope of Website project as per client requirements
  • Any recommendations for suitable domain names and hosting etc
  • Any functionalities beyond the basics which cannot be handled 'out of the box'
  • Any of constraints and issues encountered in developing the Website
  • Any basic requirements for the Website eg header and footer menus, required pages and posts, image galleries, sliders and forms
  • Any key customisations such as membership plugin and a shopping cart
  • Any changes made to default colour schemes, page layout etc in the selected theme
  • How the site was validated against Web standards, client requirements etc
  • How the site was optimised and tested in various browsers and devices
  • Any instructions for the user eg transferring the site and site maintenance in general
  • Any screenshots as required for clarity of presentation


General Points

  • The team proposal document should include a header (eg with the name of the document and team members' names) and a footer (eg with the date and page number).
  • All team members must sign the assessment cover sheet(s).
  • Soft copies are to be retained by all team members as backups. Google Docs is recommended.
  • RMIT academic discipline procedures will apply in cases of plagiarism. Students will be able to use Turnitin to ensure that their documentation meets appropriate standards.


Assessment Matrix

Elements/Performance Criteria

Assessment Details

1. Analyse the specifications and requirements

1.1 Determine the required functionality of the website, as per the client requirements

1.2 Determine the appropriate server-side language and hosting environment

1.3 Determine additional functionality that the CMS will not be able to handle 'out of the box'

1.4 Determine the functional requirements of the client's additional functionality

1.5 Determine any pre-existing restraints that need to be considered when developing the website solution

ASSESSMENT 1  -  Travel Website Project

ASSESSMENT 2 – WIL - Website Project

 

2. Develop customisation

2.1 Plan and outline, the requirements of the additional functionality

2.2 Create and develop plug-in, extension or new functionality to the CMS to meet client requirements

ASSESSMENT 1  -  Travel Website Project

ASSESSMENT 2 – WIL - Website Project

 

3. Create a CMS powered website

3.1 Install and configure, the chosen content management system

3.2 Install and integrate, the new CMS functionality

ASSESSMENT 1  -  Travel Website Project

ASSESSMENT 2 – WIL - Website Project

 

4. Validate and evaluate

4.1 Validate final website markup against the current website standards

4.2 Validate CMS performance in different browsers, checking compatibility and core CMS functionality

4.3 Validate the developed additional functionality against the client requirements

ASSESSMENT 1  -  Travel Website Project

ASSESSMENT 2 – WIL - Website Project

 

Performance Evidence

create a content management system (CMS) powered website, using an open source with additional custom functionality that is not available ‘out of the box’, that meets client requirements

perform basic content manipulation tasks in commonly used browsers

evaluate content management additional functionality against current programming and security standards

customise functionality into a pre-existing core CMS, to fulfil client requirements by programming

validate the front-end code markup against standards set by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).

 

ASSESSMENT 1  -  Travel Website Project

ASSESSMENT 2 – WIL - Website Project

 

Knowledge Evidence

analyse and describe, a range of content management systems and their respective functionality

explain markup language and their associated standards

outline server functionality in relation to the client and business requirements

describe and apply, server-side language and security techniques

explain the importance of web accessibility.

 

ASSESSMENT 1  -  Travel Website Project

ASSESSMENT 2 – WIL - Website Project

 

Other Information

Submission Requirements

Assessment tasks need to be submitted via Canvas.

You should:

  • Ensure that you submit assessments on or before the due date. 
  • Always retain a copy of your assessment tasks (hard copy and soft copy).
  • When you submit work for assessment at RMIT University you need to use a cover sheet that includes a declaration and statement of authorship.  You must complete, sign and submit a cover sheet with all work you submit for assessment, whether individual or group work.  On the cover sheet you declare that the work you are presenting for assessment is your own work.  An assignment cover sheet for submission of work for assessment is available on Canvas. 
  • Each page of your assessment should include footer with your name, student number, the title of the assessment, unit code and title and page numbers. For example, Julie Macpherson, 324567, Task 2, OHS2345C Ensure safe workplace, Page 1 of 10.


Late Submission Procedures

You are required to submit assessment items and/or ensure performance based assessment is completed by the due dates.

If you are prevented from submitting an assessment item on time, by circumstances outside your control, you may apply in advance to your teacher for an extension to the due date of up to seven calendar days.

More Information: http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/extension

Form to use: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/seca86tti4g4z.pdf

Where an extension of greater than seven days is needed, you must apply for special consideration.  Applications for special consideration must be submitted no later than two working days after the assessment task deadline or scheduled examination.

More Information: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=g43abm17hc9w

Form to use: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/8a5dgcaqvaes1.pdf


Resubmissions (VET Programs):

If you are found to be unsuccessful in a Course Assessment Task you will be allowed one resubmission only.  Your teacher will provide feedback regarding what you need to do to improve and will set a new deadline for the resubmission.  The highest grade you will receive if your resubmission is successful is "CAG".

If you are still not meeting the assessment requirements you must apply to your Program Manager in writing outlining the steps you will take to demonstrate competence in your course.  Your submission will be considered by the Program Team and you will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible.


Adjustments to Assessment

In certain circumstances students may be eligible for an assessment adjustment.  For more information about the circumstances under which the assessment arrangements might be granted please access the following Website:

More Information: http://rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=7usdbki1fjf31


Marking Guide (Competency):

You must demonstrate that you have all the required skills/knowledge/elements in the unit of competency you are studying.

You will receive feedback on each assessment task that will inform you about your progress and how well you are performing.
 

Marking Guide (Grading)

After achieving competency we then grade your performance in the unit and you will achieve one of the following grades:

Final Grades Table:

CHD       Competent with High Distinction
CDI        Competent with Distinction
CC         Competent with Credit
CAG       Competency Achieved – Graded
NYC       Yet Competent
DNS       Did Not Submit for assessment

Further information regarding the application of the grading criteria will be provided by your teacher.
 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview