Interactive Web Development Learning Experience
PHASE 1: Foundation through Purposeful Practice (23 weeks)
Skills & Concepts:
- HTML, CSS, JavaScript (Vanilla)
- Git/GitHub, Dev Tools, Box Model, Responsive Design
Activities:
1. Mini Case Study: Redesign a local cafes static menu page for mobile responsiveness.
2. Real-World Prompt: Create a personal landing page (bio, interests, links, contact form).
3. Use Frontend Mentor challenges (Newbie level).
Reflection Prompts:
- What problem does this layout solve?
- How would a screen reader experience your page?
PHASE 2: JavaScript & Interactivity (34 weeks)
Skills & Concepts:
- DOM Manipulation, Events, Functions, Arrays/Objects
- Fetch API, Promises, Async/Await
Activities:
1. Mini Case Study: Build a weather dashboard using OpenWeather API.
2. Real-World Prompt: Create a to-do app with localStorage.
3. Reverse Engineering Challenge: Rebuild a feature from Todoist.
PHASE 3: Frontend Frameworks (React) (45 weeks)
Interactive Web Development Learning Experience
Skills & Concepts:
- Components, Props, State, Hooks, Router, Conditional Rendering
Activities:
1. Case Study Project: Create a job board UI with filters and pagination.
2. Real-World Prompt: Build a habit tracker with Chart.js/Recharts.
3. UI/UX Review: Get community feedback on your design.
PHASE 4: Backend Integration & Full Stack Apps (68 weeks)
Skills & Concepts:
- Node.js, Express.js, MongoDB/PostgreSQL, REST, Auth (JWT)
Activities:
1. Case Study: Build a full-stack Blog CMS with authentication and CRUD.
2. Real-World Prompt: Clone a basic Medium/Dev.to feature.
3. Deployment Challenge: Host your app using Vercel or Render.
PHASE 5: Capstone + Freelance Readiness (46 weeks)
Final Project: Solve a real-world problem for a nonprofit or small business.
Deliverables:
- Research doc, Wireframes, MVP on GitHub, Live site, Presentation video.
TOOLS & RESOURCES
HTML/CSS: MDN Docs, Kevin Powell (YouTube)
Interactive Web Development Learning Experience
JavaScript: JavaScript.info, Wes Bos (Beginner JS)
React: Beta React Docs, Scrimba
Full Stack: The Odin Project, FreeCodeCamp
APIs: RapidAPI, Postman
FEEDBACK & REFLECTION
- Weekly retrospectives
- Pair programming or community support (Discord, Buildspace)
- Self-review checklists (accessibility, responsiveness, performance)