Creating and Publishing a Website or Blog
Your first-semester class wants its own page to showcase the Digital Culture projects and announce school activities. You don't need to be a programmer: with a site builder and a basic idea of how a page works on the inside, you can have it ready in one afternoon. Let's look at what is behind any page you visit from your phone.
What a Web Page Is
When you open a page, two programs are involved.
Explain in your own words the difference between a web page and a website, using the simile of a book: what each page would be and what the whole book would be. Give an…
Explain in your own words the difference between a web page and a website, using the simile of a book: what each page would be and what the whole book would be. Give an example of a website you know and name two of its pages.
When you visit a website, two programs are involved: your computer's browser and the server where the website lives. Explain what each one does (who requests the page,…
When you visit a website, two programs are involved: your computer's browser and the server where the website lives. Explain what each one does (who requests the page, who stores and sends it, who displays it) and what happens if the server is turned off.
How a Page Is Laid Out
The four zones are: the header (logo and site title), the menu (links to the other pages), the content (the main part of each page), and the footer (contact information, legal notice, and address details).
The figure shows the typical layout diagram of a web page, with its four areas, but the name of one of them is covered up. Indicate which area is covered up and what it…
The figure shows the typical layout diagram of a web page, with its four areas, but the name of one of them is covered up.
Indicate which area is covered up and what it normally contains, and explain the purpose of each of the other three areas of the page.
A bakery wants a simple website with: an introduction, photos of its cakes, opening hours and a map with its address. Design its structure: what areas the home page will…
A bakery wants a simple website with: an introduction, photos of its cakes, opening hours and a map with its address. Design its structure: what areas the home page will have (header, menu, content, footer), what will go in each, and which two secondary pages you would link from the menu.
Design the homepage of the science club website: draw or describe its layout scheme (header, menu, content, footer), decide on four items of content you would highlight…
Design the homepage of the science club website: draw or describe its layout scheme (header, menu, content, footer), decide on four items of content you would highlight on it, and explain what links you would include in the menu and why those and not others.
You can do it on paper and send a photo with your answer.
HTML: The Tags That Describe the Content
Alternative text and links that make sense
The alt attribute of <img> is a written description of the image. It is needed by people who use a screen reader (a program that reads the page aloud) and it is also useful when the image doesn't load: instead of a broken icon, the text appears.
A good alt describes what the image contributes, not just "photo" or "chart." And the text of a link should say where it leads: "Click here" says nothing to someone listening to the list of links; "See the game schedule" does.
HTML does not "program" the page: it describes it using tags that mark what each element is. Explain what an HTML tag is using the simile of coloured highlighters used…
HTML does not "program" the page: it describes it using tags that mark what each element is. Explain what an HTML tag is using the simile of coloured highlighters used to mark notes (this is a title, this is a paragraph) and state the difference between the content and the markings.
Match each HTML tag with what it places on the page: (a) <h1>, (b) <p>, (c) <img>, (d) <a>, with these functions: a link to another page, an image, the main title and a…
Match each HTML tag with what it places on the page: (a) <h1>, (b) <p>, (c) <img>, (d) <a>, with these functions: a link to another page, an image, the main title and a paragraph of text. Then, state which of the four always requires an address showing where the resource is located.
Read this HTML snippet and describe how the page will look in the browser, element by element: <h1>El rincón de Marta</h1>, <p>Manualidades y recetas fáciles.</p>, <img>…
Read this HTML snippet and describe how the page will look in the browser, element by element: <h1>El rincón de Marta</h1>, <p>Manualidades y recetas fáciles.</p>, <img> with a photo of cookies, <a> with the text "Ver la receta completa". State which tag produces each part.
Images on a website carry alternative text (the "alt" attribute) that describes the photo. Explain who needs it (people who use screen readers) and write a good…
Images on a website carry alternative text (the "alt" attribute) that describes the photo. Explain who needs it (people who use screen readers) and write a good alternative text for these two images from the class blog: (a) the photo of the winning team of the chess tournament and (b) a bar chart showing club attendance each month.
A group of students has created this HTML code snippet for their secondary school's futsal team profile page: When auditing the page, two issues were detected: 1. If the…
A group of students has created this HTML code snippet for their secondary school's futsal team profile page:
<h1>Equipo Cadete</h1>
<img src="equipo.jpg">
<a href="calendario.html">Haz clic aquí</a>
When auditing the page, two issues were detected:
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If the image fails to load due to a network error, only a broken icon appears on the screen with no explanation.
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If a visually impaired person uses a screen reader, they do not know what the image contains or where the link leads specifically.
Rewrite the HTML code fixing both issues (use appropriate attributes and descriptive text) and technically justify how your solution improves the web accessibility and usability.
The Tag Tree
The figure shows the tag tree of a very simple web page: how some tags contain others, but two tags are covered up. Find out which two tags are covered up using the…
The figure shows the tag tree of a very simple web page: how some tags contain others, but two tags are covered up.
Find out which two tags are covered up using the clues below each box, and explain in your own words what it means for a tag to hang from another in the tree.
Creating and Publishing Without Programming
For beginners, the advantage is clear: you get a presentable result in a short time and the builder writes the HTML for you. Its limitation is that you can only do what the tool allows. Writing HTML by hand gives you total control and teaches you how the internet works on the inside, but it takes longer and requires more practice.
Today, you can create a website without writing code, using website builders such as Google Sites or WordPress. Explain what a website builder is, how to work with it…
Today, you can create a website without writing code, using website builders such as Google Sites or WordPress. Explain what a website builder is, how to work with it (dragging blocks, choosing templates) and what advantage it has for someone who is just starting out.
These steps for publishing a website using a site builder are jumbled up: (a) check how it looks on a cell phone and a computer, (b) choose a template, (c) think about…
These steps for publishing a website using a site builder are jumbled up: (a) check how it looks on a cell phone and a computer, (b) choose a template, (c) think about what content it will have, (d) click "publish" to give it an internet address, (e) add the text and images. Put them in order and explain why checking must take place before publishing.
Compare creating a website by writing HTML by hand with creating it using a no-code site builder: one advantage and one limitation of each method. Then recommend one of…
Compare creating a website by writing HTML by hand with creating it using a no-code site builder: one advantage and one limitation of each method. Then recommend one of the two for each case: (a) the reading club website, ready in one week; (b) learning how the internet works from the inside.
Blog, Showcase Site, and Choosing a Tool
A blog is a website that is updated with new articles (posts), ordered from newest to oldest. A showcase site (for example, a store's website) hardly ever changes: it presents who you are, what you offer, and how to contact you.
Examples: a recipe blog or a blog with school news fits a blog; the page of a neighborhood stationery store fits a showcase site.
A blog is a website that is updated with new articles, ordered from newest to oldest. Explain the difference between a blog and a "showcase" website (such as a shop's…
A blog is a website that is updated with new articles, ordered from newest to oldest. Explain the difference between a blog and a "showcase" website (such as a shop's website, which hardly changes) and give an example of a topic that would fit well on each.
The class creates a blog about the town or city's neighbourhoods. Plan its first three posts: title of each, two contents it will include (text, photo, interview, map)…
The class creates a blog about the town or city's neighbourhoods. Plan its first three posts: title of each, two contents it will include (text, photo, interview, map) and which menu section corresponds to it. Explain why it is advisable to plan before using the computer.
Three projects need a website: (a) the school newspaper, which will publish articles every week written by several people; (b) a project display, a single fixed page;…
Three projects need a website: (a) the school newspaper, which will publish articles every week written by several people; (b) a project display, a single fixed page; (c) the school cooperative shop, with a catalogue and ordering system. Choose the most appropriate tool for each (a site builder like Google Sites, a blog like WordPress, or an e-commerce solution) and explain your choice.
Choose the website of a business or association in your local area that you know (or imagine a realistic one) and analyse it: what areas its main page has, what content…
Choose the website of a business or association in your local area that you know (or imagine a realistic one) and analyse it: what areas its main page has, what content it offers, what it is missing and what is redundant. Propose three specific improvements in structure or content and justify them.
Address and Hosting: Domain and Hosting
For your website to exist on the internet, it needs two different things.
There are two common paths:
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Free site on a platform: the address is a subdomain of the platform and hosting is included. You don't pay, but in exchange there is usually advertising from others, less control, and dependence on the company (if it changes the rules or shuts down, your site is affected).
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Your own domain and paid hosting: you pay for the domain (per year) and for hosting (per month). You have your own address, no imposed ads, and more control.
Your neighbourhood youth association wants to publish its website and is considering two options: Option A: Create a free site on an online platform, obtaining the…
Your neighbourhood youth association wants to publish its website and is considering two options:
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Option A: Create a free site on an online platform, obtaining the address
asociacionvalle.creacionsitios.comand free hosting on their servers in exchange for displaying provider ads. -
Option B: Register their own domain
asociacionvalle.es(8 pesos per year) and hire independent hosting (3.5 pesos per month).
1) Explain the function of the domain and that of hosting, distinguishing them in each of the two options.
2) The treasurer proposes Option A, stating: "Let's save the money; the address and the server don't matter at all as long as the page opens." Refute their claim by predicting at least two problems or limitations the association will face in the medium term if they choose Option A (related to their public image, advertising, or content control).
Publishing Responsibly
A publishing policy puts these rules in writing. Four short sections are enough:
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What is published and what is not: activities, work, and authorized photos yes; personal data no.
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Who reviews: a member of the team and the teacher review before publishing.
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How sources are cited: any text or image from someone else includes the author and source, and its license is respected.
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Removal of content: if someone asks to remove something of theirs, it is removed promptly and without asking for explanations.
In Mexico, personal data is protected by personal data protection law: whoever handles it must say what it will be used for (privacy notice), and people can request access, correction, or deletion of their own data.
The class is going to create the group's website. Classify these pieces of content as "can be published" or "should not be published", justifying each case: the name of…
The class is going to create the group's website. Classify these pieces of content as "can be published" or "should not be published", justifying each case: the name of the school, the photo of the school building's facade, the full names and surnames of all students, class work signed only with first names, a student's personal timetable and a description of group activities.
Photos of activities are published on the school website. Draft three rules for responsible publishing for that website, considering: which students can appear…
Photos of activities are published on the school website. Draft three rules for responsible publishing for that website, considering: which students can appear recognisably, what personal data must not accompany the photos and what permission is required from families. Justify each rule.
On the AMPA website, a list appears with "full names of the award winners at the party, their school year and their photo". Analyse what personal data is being…
On the AMPA website, a list appears with "full names of the award winners at the party, their school year and their photo". Analyse what personal data is being published, what risks they pose together (more so than individually), what permissions would be needed, and how you would publish the same news item while protecting the students.
Draft the publishing policy for the class website: which content is published and which is not, who reviews it before publishing, how third-party sources and images are…
Draft the publishing policy for the class website: which content is published and which is not, who reviews it before publishing, how third-party sources and images are cited, and what action is taken if someone asks to remove their content. Present it as a short four-section document.
Technology with a Critical Eye
Publishing on the web is not a neutral act: behind every tool there is someone who controls it, someone who can use it, and someone who pays its costs. Four ideas from the program help you analyze it.
Connect this to what you saw on this page. WordPress is free software: your class can use it and adapt it without asking permission. A "free" platform may charge you with your data and your attention. If your site is very heavy, someone with a basic phone and little data in their plan won't be able to see it: that is the digital divide. And every server and every device has an environmental cost.
A classmate says: "since we made the class website ourselves, we can put whatever we want on it: photos of anyone, famous background music, and text copied from other…
A classmate says: "since we made the class website ourselves, we can put whatever we want on it: photos of anyone, famous background music, and text copied from other websites". Refute their three statements using arguments based on: privacy and image rights, music copyright, and text plagiarism, and propose the correct alternative in each case.
Back to the beginning: to publish the class website in one afternoon, choose a template in a site builder, organize the content into the four layout zones, add alternative text to the images, check in the preview that it reads well on a phone, and make sure not to include anyone's personal data.