Designing a Learning Experience for EXSM 3928 - Code for Designers

EXSM 3928 - Code for Designers is an elective course that provides a comprehensive learning experience for designers to acquire fundamental web development skills, enhancing their ability to execute projects and collaborate effectively with developers.

Introduction

EXSM 3928, an elective course within the UX/UI certificate program, provides designers with fundamental knowledge of web development using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The key learning outcomes include:

• Developing a developer’s mindset.
• Creating a landing page from scratch.
• Enhancing communication skills with developers.
• Instructional methods include prerecorded lectures, hands-on exercises, group discussions, and practical projects.

Course Cohorts

Course Design

The course embraces the narrative that designers can learn to code, too. It commences with creating a Virtual Reality (VR) scene using a template language that employs 3D building blocks. The course, designed as a 100% asynchronous program, encourages community building by requiring students to post work-in-progress updates on course forums. It culminates in a practical exercise where students code a landing page from scratch, reinforcing the learning outcomes.

Learning how to approach a design from the perspective of a front-end developer is a significant course takeaway. This ability, coupled with the practical coding exercises, equips designers with improved communication skills with developers. Moreover, in the era of AI and LLMs, designers with coding basics are better positioned to execute entire projects independently.

Instructional Approach

Despite the course being asynchronous with prerecorded videos, the instructor offers support via email and grading student deliverables. Additionally, live instructor assistance is available during open office hours on Friday afternoons. These sessions provide a platform for students to discuss code debugging and receive assignment guidance.

Conclusion

EXSM 3928 offers a robust learning experience for designers intending to acquire coding skills. Through practical exercises, community engagement, and supportive instruction, students learn the fundamentals of web development and improve their collaboration with developers. Upon completion, designers are better equipped to handle future projects, making EXSM 3928 a valuable addition to their learning journey.

Updates

• Fall 2023 (upcoming)
  • discuss coding with AI
  • re-record all course videos (3rd round)
• Fall 2022
  • re-recorded all course videos (2nd round)