Learning Proposal Draft

Name: Julie Yarnold
Student Number: 84123455

Personal Learning Needs

Develop skills in ascertaining appropriate technologies and standards to create an interactive web application that conforms with current standards and requires very little modification to be deployed on mobile technologies, perhaps as an app which allows login to check appointment times and pay fees, etc.

SWOT Analysis

Strengths

Basic familiarity with HTML and CSS
Intermediate level of proficiency with MS Access
Some familiarity with Filemaker Pro
Very basic programming knowledge with Visual Basic
An eye for detail, which is useful when proofreading
Experience with PC and Mac platforms
Methodical approach to work
Attention to detail--ensuring work is complete to the highest standard
Flexibility and adaptability
Structured approach to problem solving

Weaknesses

A tendency to over-analyse, thereby taking up time
Procrastination
Not utilising time effectively

Opportunities

The possibility of my application being adopted by other fitness trainers
Adapting my application for use by others self-employed in mobile service provision, eg, hairdressers, masseurs, beauty therapists, tutors
The possibility of help from people more experienced than I am with web technologies (some staff at my place of employment, lecturers and fellow students)

Threats

Competing priorities from work
Family commitments and interruptions, including those from noisy neighbours
App overload--will people think they need another app?
Time constraints including not knowing a realistic timeframe for solo development of my proposed application as I have not undertaken such a project before
Hardware and software compatibility issues, including the likelihood that development will occur on a number of different devices with different software and operating systems

Learning Needs in DMT

Extend current coding knowledge
Learn scripting language/s as appropriate
Develop a knowledge and understanding of available technologies and their suitability for specific applications
Understand hardware requirements for deployment of an application

Learning Plan

Objectives

What do I want to learn?

Achieve proficiency with current HTML standards, ie, XHTML 1.0 Strict
Achieve proficiency with CSS and its most efficient modes of application
Incorporate a database as part of my web site
Develop skills with technologies that allow a high level of interactivity to be built into the web site

Strategies

How will I do it?

Interviewing stakeholders, ie, personal trainers, as well as likely and existing clients of personal trainers
Collation of needs/wishes of stakeholders to ascertain requirements
Once stakeholder requirements are known, research technologies to determine the most appropriate to use
Obtain appropriate software for development of the application

Resources

What exactly will I use?

Desktop PC
Desktop iMac
Laptop PC
Macbook
Digital Camera
Online coding resources as necessary, eg, HTML dictionaries, code validators
Text editing software
Image editing software
Coding software
Database software
Web hosting software
Drawing program for wireframing
Flowcharting program
Event and Venue Management software
Government standards

Proposed Project Description

What will you build?

An interactive web site for a self-employed personal trainer. The site should allow clients of the trainer to access information about the trainer, including his or her background and professional services; information about exercise programs; to book and pay securely for appointments online for training sessions; to receive reminders to their mobile phones for appointments; to contact the trainer via a form; to read and comment on the trainer's blog; to sign up for an email newsletter; to view a Frequently Asked Questions list; and to access useful relevant links.Trainer should also create a Facebook page in his or her business name.

Pages will include

About
Contact form
Appointment booking page with interactive timetable
Blog
Membership signup
Membership login page
Secure payment form
FAQs
Useful links

Schedule

What do I plan to do when?

Project timeframe - 11 weeks: 27 March to 5 June 2012

Week -1

Commence working through tutorials

HTML http://www.w3schools.com/html/
CSS http://www.w3schools.com/css/default.asp
Javascript http://www.w3schools.com/js/default.asp
Various (XHTML, CSS, Internet Security, HTML) at UTS Online Digital Media Technologies, Websites/Resources

Research requirements for mobile technologies

Week 1

Discuss client needs/budget, including 'look and feel', logo design, proofreading of submitted information, photographs, image optimisation
Agree to project timeframe with client; discuss any risks/threats to completion; discuss whether site to go live in stages or at completion
Discuss contract with client and its inclusions and exclusions
Contract to be agreed to and deposit taken before work commences
Research web hosts; sign up for web hosting plan
Register domain name if none already exists
Set up Paypal account, if required
Obtain digital certificate
Develop questions for interviewing stakeholders

Week 2

Interview stakeholders; collate responses
Conceptualise/brainstorm ideas for web pages and content to be included on web site
Conceptualise/brainstorm ideas for possible mobile app and inclusion

Week 3

Research examples of content inclusions, eg interactive timetable
Develop navigation structure/flowchart
Develop wireframes
Client to collate and forward information/graphics files for inclusion in soft copy
Complete any image optimisation, proofreading, etc, as agreed to

Week 4

Research appropriate technologies for site functionality
Research reference resources for technologies; bookmark/commence tutorials as appropriate (eg SQL, etc)
Present site plan including navigation structure/flowchart and wireframe to client for signoff or request modifications
Any further modifications may extend deadline and/or increase budget

Week 5

Make any modifications to site plan as per client instructions; client to sign off
Create folder structure
Commence work on building prototype; backup all work

Week 6