PRDV401: Introduction to JavaScript I

Welcome to PRDV401: Introduction to JavaScript I

Specific information about this course and its requirements can be found below. For more general information about taking Saylor Academy courses, including information about Community and Academic Codes of Conduct, please read the Student Handbook.

Course Description

Learn fundamental programming concepts using JavaScript to produce code for browser-based interactive experiences using conditions and events.

Course Introduction

This course is the first in a series of three short courses that will build your programming skills in the JavaScript language. JavaScript is a client-side scripting language for producing interactive content in a web browser. It is one of the most popular programming languages worldwide.

This course is for future JavaScript developers with some HTML and CSS knowledge. If you do not have this knowledge, we recommend you review Unit 1, which discusses HTML and CSS. Then, we begin this course with a brief history of JavaScript. We then introduce programming concepts such as variables, control statements, objects, exception handling, and best practices. You will also learn about the Document Object Model or DOM, which provides the structure for dynamically displaying and manipulating elements on a webpage written in HTML using JavaScript.

By the end of this course, you will explain and demonstrate how JavaScript is used to program the behavior of webpages as an interactive tool. You will use the concepts you learn in this introductory course in the subsequent JavaScript courses.

This course includes the following units:

• Unit 1: HTML and CSS Prerequisite Overview
• Unit 2: Introduction to JavaScript
• Unit 3: Values, Variables, and Statements
• Unit 4: Control Flow Statements
• Unit 5: The Basics of Functions
• Unit 6: Objects, the DOM, and Best Practices

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

• explain the use of HTML5 tags in a document;
• model the structure of an HTML page;
• create a simple webpage using HTML and CSS;
• explain how JavaScript is used to program the behavior of webpages as an interactive tool;
• utilize the tools to write and debug JavaScript programs;
• utilize the steps for writing a JavaScript Program that includes proper values, operators, expressions, and keywords;
• list and explain the types of values and variables;
• explain the proper use of internal and external JavaScript;
• utilize objects including the structure of the DOM (Document Object Model);
• identify the debugging process to correct code to produce the desired result from the code; and
• construct appropriate control structures based on conditions.

Throughout this course, you will also see learning outcomes in each unit. You can use those learning outcomes to help organize your studies and gauge your progress.

Course Materials

This course's primary learning materials are articles, lectures, and videos.

All course materials are free to access and can be found in each unit of the course. Pay close attention to the notes that accompany these course materials, as they will tell you what to focus on in each resource, and will help you to understand how the learning materials fit into the course as a whole. You can also see a list of all the learning materials in this course by clicking on Resources in the navigation bar.

Evaluation and Minimum Passing Score

Only the final exam is considered when awarding you a grade for this course. To pass this course, you will need to earn a 70% or higher on the final exam. Your score on the exam will be calculated as soon as you complete it. If you do not pass the exam on your first try, you may take it again as many times as you want, with a 7-day waiting period between each attempt. Once you have successfully passed the final exam you will be awarded a free Course Completion Certificate.

There are also end-of-unit assessments in this course. These are designed to help you study, and do not factor into your final course grade. You can take these as many times as you want until you understand the concepts and material covered. You can see all of these assessments by clicking on Quizzes in the course's navigation bar.

Tips for Success

PRDV401: Introduction to JavaScript I is a self-paced course, which means that you can decide when you will start and when you will complete the course. There is no instructor or an assigned schedule to follow. We estimate that the "average" student will take 17 hours to complete this course. We recommend that you work through the course at a comfortable pace that allows you to make regular progress. It's also a good idea to schedule your study time in advance and try to stick to that schedule as best as you can.

Learning new material can be challenging, so we've compiled a few study strategies to help you succeed:

• Take notes on the various terms, practices, and theories that you come across. This can help you put each concept into context and will create a refresher that you can use as you study later on.
• As you work through the materials, take some time to test yourself on what you remember and how well you understand the concepts. Reflecting on what you've learned is important for your long-term memory and will make you more likely to retain information over time.

Technical Requirements

This course is delivered entirely online. You will be required to have access to a computer or web-capable mobile device and have consistent access to the internet to either view or download the necessary course resources and attempt any auto-graded course assessments and the final exam.

• To access the full course, including assessments and the final exam, you will need to be logged into your Saylor Academy account and enrolled in the course. If you do not already have an account, you may create one for free here. Although you can access some of the course without logging in to your account, you should log in to maximize your course experience. For example, you cannot take assessments or track your progress unless you are logged in.

For additional guidance, check out Saylor Academy's FAQ.

Fees

This course is entirely free to enroll in and to access. Everything linked in the course, including textbooks, videos, webpages, and activities, is available for no charge. This course also contains a free final exam and course completion certificate.