An understanding of web accessibility standards and CSS is fundamental to a career in software development. This introductory course will cover basic CSS styling elements, as well as testing and deployment practices for applications, so you can start working on development projects or add these stills to your CV.

Explore CSS applications in styling sheets

Build new skills in CSS, including a clear view of its purpose and application. You’ll then apply the theory to practical exercises to create simple markup for a prototype.

Being able to read and create styling elements means that you can adjust the rules that affect how HTML Is applied to a document, allowing you to define the layout across a website or application.

Understand the latest web accessibility requirements

Web accessibility guidelines are created to provide an international standard for web content accessibility that meets the needs of people, organisations, and governments. You’ll review common web accessibility guidelines, and find out how HTML can be used to meet them.

Build your knowledge of testing and deployment processes

Testing before deployment is essential to ensure that your application will work in real-world conditions. You’ll learn how to finalise an application via testing and deployment practices before putting it live. You’ll complete that knowledge with a review of how to maintain an application once it has gone live, leveraging cloud computing practices.

Syllabus

Week 1
Developing your application further
- Introduction
  In this activity, we'll introduce you to the course and look at how it is structured. We'll also explain the optional projects you'll come across within this ExpertTrack.
- Accessibility
  In this activity, you'll learn all about the importance of accessibility, and how to create valid and accessible HTML.
- Styling your app with CSS
  In this activity, you'll learn all about CSS, including how it's structured, its link to HTLM, and conflicting rules within it.
- Weekly Wrap-up
  To complete the week, let’s recap the key points covered so far.
Week 2
Styling text and CSS layouts
- Introduction
  This introduction will present you with the content and learning outcomes for Week 2.
- Styling text and CSS layouts
  Now, we'll take a look at the box model and various styling elements within CSS.
- Weekly Wrap-up
  To complete the week, let’s recap the key points covered so far.
Week 3
Software testing
- Introduction
  First, we'll give a brief overview of what you can expect to cover during this week.
- Testing
  In this topic, you'll learn what software testing is, how it fits into the production development cycle, and why it's important. You'll also gain an overview of the different types, methods, and approaches to software testing
- Weekly Wrap-up
  To complete the week, let’s recap the key points covered so far.
Week 4
Deployment, maintenance, and working with the cloud
- Introduction
  An overview of the week's topics and learning outcomes.
- Deployment and maintenance
  In this activity, you'll learn about the best practices for software deployment and the benefits of DevOps, and CI/CD.
- Developing in the cloud
  In this topic, you'll be introduced to cloud computing, gain an overview of different cloud service models (ie, IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS), and understand how containers work and why software developers seek to leverage them.
- Course Wrap-up
  To complete the week and the course, let’s recap the key points.

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

Demonstrate the use of basic CSS styling elements
Examine and compare testing methods
Investigate approaches for deployment and maintenance
Compare cloud service models

Who is the course for?

This ExpertTrack will grow your confidence in working with development teams and understand the challenges they face. It’s suitable for:

Someone aiming to enter the digital sector
Anyone looking to change careers into an entry-level role as a developer, or to establish foundations for a development career
Established technology professionals looking to better understand software development and round out their skill set
An entrepreneur with a business or product idea that needs some basic understanding of software development to assess the viability of their idea

Who will you learn with?

Lewin Chan

Lewin delivers high quality, scalable software that behaves predictably and fails gracefully. He understands how to make effective tradeoffs between new features, system complexity and technical debt.

Who developed the course?

FutureLearn

FutureLearn is a leading social learning platform and has been providing high quality online courses for learners around the world over the last ten years.

In collaboration with

Endorsers and supporters

endorsed by

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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