Friday, August 28, 2009

Review – Web Design for Kids

TOS Crew Review

Product: Web Design for Kids (and curious grownups)

Publisher: Click Drag Solutions, Created by Brian Richardson

Introduction:

This is a DVD containing 7 segments. The purpose of the program is to teach HTML code and how to build a basic website.

How I used this product:

When I first received this, I wasn’t sure if it was something I wanted to do. I mean…. HTML code? Just the idea of it sounded extremely complicated. It seemed like a foreign language to me. To be honest, I put this off for as long as possible. Excuses came easily…. We couldn’t access the DVD player (because someone else always happened to be using it), or ….. The computer wasn’t working…. Well, It was getting down to the last minute and I HAD to actually watch the program and do my review.

I started watching. .. At first, I tried to convince my 16 year old son (Matthew) to do it for me. He was willing, but busy on other projects. He worked with me on it for a couple of minutes and then disappeared. I didn’t notice he had left the room…. (smiles)… I was too busy enjoying the program. Mr. Richardson is an EXCELLENT teacher. He is very calm, laid back, funny, and intelligent. I loved this!

I started to get excited and went into the next room to the computer so I could follow his instructions. However, I found Matthew already building a website, using some notes he had taken!

I went back to watch more of the show. I had paper and pen handy and jotted down my notes. In the program, there are two students who are learning right along with the audience. This is a great feature. I do want to mention that if you ONLY watch this, without doing the steps, you will not learn as much. This is the beauty of the program. … By pausing the DVD after each lesson, taking notes, and actually DOING the steps, you learn a tremendous amount.

By the time Matthew was finished, I was ready to start building my own website. I created a very simple site, following his directions.



Conclusion:

There were a few problems in the beginning. This had to do with my computer having “VISTA.” Some of the instructions weren’t applicable. I could not find certain things on my computer. This was quickly resolved by visiting our CREW forum and getting some feedback. What I hope Brian can do in the future, is add a small note for those of us using VISTA. We just need a few minor additional directions.

From there, I was able to complete the entire program.

This DVD is a powerful resource. In this day, all children must learn how to use computers. Brian is the perfect teacher for this. I love his sense of humor, his ability to hold our attention and how easily he was able to teach us something that seemed so complicated in the beginning. I highly recommend this product.
From what I have been told, there will be another DVD in the series coming soon. I can’t wait!



To find out more about my reviews, please visit "Introduction to our Homeschool Parlor" 

3 comments:

Tristan said...

Great Review. I loved the page you made - some of my favorite colors. Also thanks for the link to my page, I'm glad it helped you.

Lori said...

Wow, this is absolutely fantastic! What a thorough review you did, too! :) I have never heard of this program, but it certainly seems well worth checking out. You're right...all children need to learn all they can about computers. Thank you so much for sharing.
I've been getting caught up on reading your blog lately. So glad your "household notebook" is helping you. Sounds like you've got alot on you right now. I remember going through a similar heavy trial...and I will NEVER forget how the Lord so clearly used this verse to help me:
Psalms 55:22  Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. I hope the load lightens soon, but let me remind you that somehow, someday, you will look back on this time and it will be SO VERY PRECIOUS to you because you'll look back and see how the Lord helped you. :)

Dimple said...

This sounds like fun, for me! I'm more than a little intimidated by the nuts and bolts of programming!