ITSE-1301 Summer 2026 weekly course calendar.

Assignments for each chapter include Apply Your Knowledge, Consider This: Your Turn, and a chapter quiz. Week 1 also includes the Coding IDE Prerequisite and Pre-Course Assessment. Week 10 includes the Post-Course Assessment and Final Website Submission.

Final grades are due August 17, 2026.

This schedule provides a general course outline. Students should check eCampus for announcements and any changes during the term.

Don’t ask me how many classes I’ve taken in my life, or who my teachers were… but I like to think that I manage to keep something from every encounter, even if it’s not something directly related to the class.

For example, in my high school physical science class, our teacher liked to answer all kinds of questions, no matter how outlandish they might be. If he couldn’t answer he had a go-to phrase that I still use in a regular basis: “It’s possible, but not probable.” Maybe he thought he didn’t want to be the one person that stopped someone from developing a teleportation machine or flying car.

My first year in college is mostly a blur, but I’ll never forget this one maxim my Chemistry I teacher: “Two, four, six, eight — who do we appreciate? Valence electrons! I don’t remember why valence electrons are important, but I can’t help but cheer for them every now and again.

A Calculus professor explained many basics the first day, including the importance of zero when it’s used to measure distance, particularly when talking about two objects occupying the same space. After presenting a couple more “That being said, what is the shortest distance between two points?, to which many in the class mechanically answered “a straight line! More annoyed than disgusted he calmly replied, “what did we just learn about zero?”

While I quote some of these regularly, the one the comes up the most is one from the only newspaper design class I ever took (the only one offered during my time studying journalism): The first and probably only rule of newspaper design is “Beg, borrow and steal.” I apply this to many enterprises.

References

• Valence Electrons
• Can the distance between a point and a line ever be zero?
• Beg, Borrow and Steal

Specifically, I was looking for the handful of programming proverbs written by Henry F. Ledgard in his series of programming books from the 1970s. And although I could not find a blog post I remember from a few years back, I did run across this page, which quotes one of the proverbs, and a few other relevant thoughts:

"High thoughts must have high language."

– Aristophanes

"You can’t trust code that you did not totally create yourself. (Especially code from companies that employ people like me."

– Ken Thompson, 1983 ACM Turing Award Lecture

"Instead of this absurd division into sexes they ought to class people as static or dynamic."

– Evelyn Waugh

"Good as it is to inherit a library, it is better to collect one."

– Augustune Birrell

"In programming, it is not enough to be inventive and ingenious. One also needs to be disciplined and controlled in order not be become entangled in one's own complexities."

– Harlan D. Mills, Forward to Programming Proverbs by Henry Ledgard

"I have made this letter longer than usual, because I lack the time to make it short."

– Blaise Pascal

(By which I mean, “Cheapest parking in the West End.”) Parking around El Centro College is expensive. Some places charge $10 a morning or thereabouts, and getting a monthly subscription can be tricky if your timing isn’t right. If you don’t mind wallking about 1/3 of a mile, I recommend parking where I park. It’s a parking lot owned by the city, and it costs me $2 a day. NOTE: This price is good only for regular work hours — my parking times are usually 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

I also recommend the ParkMobile app. It works on all City of Dallas parking, including the parking meters. It allows you to set reminders and pay for additional parking time if needed (in most cases). You can pay with cash or credit card on-site and get a printed receipt and not have to pay convenience fees (35 cents or so for this lot, I think):

There’s been plenty of discussion in one of my classes about Python programming — what it is, where to learn it and what to use to get started. After suggesting several resources to some of my students, I remembered an old post in a previous blog where I listed several links to pertinent sites, and while some are still valuable, many of them are showing their age (this was back in the v2 days).

• Invent with Python
• The Python Arcade Library

People to follow:

• Paul Vincent Craven

Other stuff:

• freeCodeCamp

A cybersecurity glossary

Antivirus software Computer programs that can block, detect, and remove viruses and other malware.

Backups/backing up files Extra copies of computer files that can be used to restore files that are lost or damaged.

Bandwidth The amount of data that can pass through a network or part of a network per second.

Botnet Multiple computers on a network that are infected with a program that can be controlled remotely. The infected computers are usually used to cause damage that couldn’t be achieved with a single computer.

Computer network Two or more interconnected devices that can exchange data.

Computer virus A computer program that can copy itself and cause harm in various ways, such as stealing private information or destroying data.

DDoS A distributed denial of service attack attempts to make an online service, like a website, unavailable by overwhelming it with a flood of traffic from a team of computers.

Doxnet A fictional virus modeled after the Stuxnet virus. Like Stuxnet, Doxnet is able to damage physical infrastructure.

Encryption The process of using codes to make readable information unreadable. Encrypted information cannot be read until it is decrypted using a secret key.

Firewall Software designed to block malware from entering protected networks.

Hacktivist Someone who uses computers and computer networks to disrupt services or share secret information in an effort to draw attention to political or social issues.

Internet service provider (ISP) A company or organization that gives users and devices access to the Internet.

Keylogger malware A program that records every key struck on a keyboard and sends that information to an attacker.

Malware Software that harms computers, networks, or people. Includes viruses, worms, ransomware, and other computer programs.

Phishing Attempting to trick people into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords and credit card numbers, often by using emails or fake websites that look like they are from trusted organizations.

Ransomware A type of malware that holds victims’ computer files hostage by locking access to them or encrypting them. It then demands a ransom if the victim wants his or her files back.

Server A computer or computer program that provides specific services on a network, such as an email server that directs emails and a web server that serves up web pages.

Software Consists of code written in a programming language that instructs computers to perform specific tasks.

Software patch A piece of software designed to update a computer program in order to fix a software vulnerability or improve the program.

Software vulnerability A flaw or weakness in a computer program that hackers or malware can exploit to gain access to a system or damage it.

Spam Unsolicited emails sent to many addresses. The purpose of most spam is to make money through advertising or identity theft.

USB drive A data storage device that is used to store, back up, and transfer computer files.

USB port A type of connection between devices that can exchange information and power supply.

Taken from the Khan Academy’s brief cybersecurity presentation.

The more you know: More IT Girls

Why encourage girls to go into a science, tech, engineering or math career? The U.S. will need more than 1.5 million engineers and computing professionals in the next 10 years. Enough “it girls.” More IT Girls!

I have finally let go of my ISP, after… many years of hosting. They (a2hosting) served me well, but now I have to try things on my own and practice what I preach. Exciting times, yes. I wish this had happened 20 years ago, or better yet, 30.

In this game of high adventure, your objective is to travel 200 miles across the great Gobi Desert while being chased by a tribe of knock-kneed pygmies. High adventure, indeed!

Get comfortable with abstraction. If you try to understand how everything works, you'll get nothing done. pic.twitter.com/jfsXtdIySk

— Quincy Larson (@ossia) February 12, 2015

Computer Skills Requirements

You need to have a basic knowledge of computer and Internet skills in order to be successful in an online course. Here are some of the highlights:

• Knowledge of terminology, such as browser, IMHO, application, etc.
• Understanding of basic computer hardware and software; ability to perform computer operations, such as:
  • Using keyboard and mouse
  • Managing files and folders: save, name, copy, move, backup, rename, delete, check properties
  • Software installation, security and virus protection
  • Using software applications, such as Word, PowerPoint, Excel, email clients
  • Knowledge of copying and pasting, spell-checking, saving files in different formats
  • Sending and downloading attachments
• Internet skills (connecting, accessing, using browsers) and ability to perform online research using various search engines and databases.
• Ability to use online communication tools, such as email (create, send, receive, reply, print, send/receive attachments), discussion boards (read, search, post, reply, follow threads), chats, and messengers.

Strong reading and writing skills

You need to have strong reading skills and be able to communicate effectively through writing. Most of the material in the online environment will come from your textbooks and written lectures, therefore strong reading and critical thinking skills are very important for success in an online course. Online students communicate through such text-based tools, as emails, discussion forums, chats and instant messaging. You need to feel comfortable expressing yourself in writing.

Self-motivated and independent learner

While online courses can offer more flexibility in scheduling, they require more self-discipline and independence than on-campus courses. Some students can find this uncomfortable and not suitable for their learning style. They may miss face-to-face interaction with an instructor and peers, which helps to keep them on track. In the online environment, you have to be able to start and to work on tasks on your own, without someone keeping you focused, and you have to be self-disciplined in order to follow the class schedule and meet deadlines.

Time commitment

Online classes take as much time as regular on-campus classes. You need to set aside sufficient time for study. Plan to spend at least as much time working on the assignments and studying as you would with a traditional course. Note that some students report spending even more time for online classes than for traditional ones. Time that you need to devote to a 3-credit course will be approximately 12 hours a week.

Time management: log-in frequently and develop study schedules

Even though you may not have to “be” in class on some specific day and time, you still have to follow the course schedule provided by your instructor. Remember that online classes are not independent study courses; you are still required to “show up” and participate actively.

Since online courses are asynchronous, they will continue developing and changing even if you are not online. You need to be online frequently enough and log in at least three to four times per week in order to keep up with the content flow, complete assignments, follow discussions and communicate with your classmates and instructor. Some courses may even require you to log in every day.

Never wait until the last minute to complete your assignments. You may have a technical problem or run out of time which will cause frustration. One of the major reasons for failing online classes is procrastination, since it is very easy to fall behind in the online environment. Make sure to set aside specific time on a regular basis to participate in your course. Schedule specific times to log in and to study.

Active learner

Online students must be active learners, self-starters who are not shy or afraid to ask questions when they do not understand. Remember that you, not the instructor, must be in control of your learning process.

Since your instructor cannot see you, you need to “speak up” right away if you have problems and be as explicit as possible; otherwise there is no way others will know that something is wrong.

Remember that your instructor is not the only source of information. Most of the time you will be able to post your question in the discussion forum and your classmates will help you as well.

If you have technical difficulty, problems understanding course content or difficulty meeting the deadline, seek help right away and contact your instructor to make arrangements.

@idtprof

Tutorials and Books

• W3 Schools
• Don’t Fear the Internet
• Codecademy
• Code School
• Learn CSS Layout
• HTML5 and CSS3 Fundamentals
• envatotuts+

Videos

• Khan Academy
• Google: HTML, CSS, and Javascript from the Ground Up
  • Lab Files for Above

A short, but hopefully growing list of free online resources that may help you learn Python. The default for these links is Python 3, unless noted.

Tutorials and Books

• Program Arcade Games with Python and Pygame
• Learn Python the Hard Way
• Learn X in Y Minutes (where X=python3)
• How to Think Like a Computer Scientist
• Full Stack Python
• The Python Tutorial
• Test-Driven Development with Python
• learnpython.org

Videos

• Berkeley EE61A - Computer Science
• TheNewBoston (Python 2)

Yes, and now what?

Sure enough, now that I finally decide to take a Java class — OK, so it was decided for me — Google decides it won’t support it anymore. What’s a boy to do? I guess I’ll still learn it, out of spite.

This morning I had an issue creating a new content folder using the Blackboard software we use at the college when suddenly it stopped dead on its tracks and warned me of an unidentified error. I tried to copy an existing folder to see if I could coax the system into cooperating, but still — no love.

I asked a colleague about whom I should call to clear up the problem, and after a couple of tippy-taps on the keyboard, and navigating through a maze of vaguely worded headers on the Interweb, we came upon a sole PDF file proudly displaying a phone number for faculty to use in case there were some kind of problem with the system (DON’T SHARE THIS NUMBER WITH STUDENTS, a legend blazened below the digits).

I returned to my office and sat to follow the same rigamarole path that led us to the PDF, but before doing so, I decided not to call the IT desk number provided, but rather called myself to see if I had any answers. I extended my thumb and pinky finger on my right hand and cradled a make-believe phone on my chin and dialed my number. I already knew what I was going to ask myself, so I quickly told myself that yes, I had already logged off the system and logged in again, I had quit the browser and restarted it and yes, I had even turned the computer off and then back on again.

What I did not expect was my next question: “What browser are you using?”

“I use only Chrome,” I answered, with such disdain that surely I would quit answering the phone when people called for IT advice. “What’s that got to do with anything?”

My response sent chills down my spine, because not once during the 20 to 30 minutes of having this issue had I even considered what I recommended: “Have you tried opening the page using Internet Explorer?”

No. Not at all. Not for a second.

I sat and clicked the Start button to find IE, since I don’t even have the shortcut embedded in my taskbar anymore, and upon pasting the offending URL and requesting a new folder, a shiny icon popped to inform me of the successful build on the system.

“I hate you,” I spoke into my my hand, and quickly air-slammed the receiver above my desk. “I hate all of you.”

Hello, Monday (Wednesday — actually, Friday)!

As we all get ready for the new year, and then again 90 days from now, and in yet another three months, ad nauseum — the computer system will ask you to pick a new password to access the information you so desperately need right now.

Although this may seem like a burden — and by all means, maybe it is — you should take a couple of minutes to take care of the computer’s request to change your password and pick a secure code that is hard to decipher and easy for you to remember.

There are applications available that will remember passwords for you (like LastPass or KeePass) although some of us (not me) have survived for decades writing down passwords on small pieces of paper and storing them somewhere “safe.”

When considering your new password, be sure to read the system’s requirements for new passwords, choose a strong password based on those specifications, and make sure your new entry key is not one of 2015’s worst passwords. Here’s the top 10:

1. 123456
2. password
3. 12345678
4. qwerty
5. 12345
6. 123456789
7. football
8. 1234
9. 1234567
10. baseball

It’s new to me, anyway.

Starting with the Spring 2016 semester, I’ll be moving toward more open-source software options in my classes, ergo my Photoshop may include some GIMP, my Dreamweaver will have some bootstrap, etc.

Gotta get some reading done.

So Python is now in the books; by which I mean, we got it into the dual-credit curriculum, we have it on our machines, and we had a lot of fun making it work.

Next, CSS frameworks will replace Dreamweaver in Web Design II. And what better way to implement them than this?

Last night, as I was tippy-tapping on my iPad and retweeting weather updates and listening to voicemails and reviewing information about the next day I thought about how mundane the whole experience was. I was suddenly reminded of that time in 1973 or 1974 when my father showed me what was then an absurd purchase, a pocket calculator with bright green digital numbers, that could add, subtract, multiply and good grief, divide with the push of a couple of buttons.

From TV and movies I hear that the first heroin high is the best and probably the only one you’ll ever enjoy. Other than the first 10 hours of “Combat” on the 2600 and the joy of BASIC programming, I’m not sure technology will ever again excite me as much as that little box with glowing numbers.

A short, but hopefully growing list of free online resources that may help you learn Python. The default for these links is Python 3, unless noted.

Tutorials and Books

• Program Arcade Games with Python and Pygame
• Learn Python the Hard Way
• Learn X in Y Minutes (where X=python3)
• How to Think Like a Computer Scientist
• Full Stack Python
• The Python Tutorial
• Test-Driven Development with Python
• learnpython.org

Videos

• Berkeley EE61A - Computer Science
• TheNewBoston (Python 2)

A short, but hopefully growing list of free online resources that may help you learn Python. The default for these links is Python 3, unless noted.

Tutorials and Books

• Program Arcade Games with Python and Pygame
• Learn Python the Hard Way
• Learn X in Y Minutes (where X=python3)
• How to Think Like a Computer Scientist
• Full Stack Python
• The Python Tutorial
• Test-Driven Development with Python
• learnpython.org

Videos

• Berkeley EE61A - Computer Science
• TheNewBoston (Python 2)

And so after months of harping about how great it would be to switch from DarkBASIC to Python in my game design classes, the time has come to put up or shut up and start designing the class itself. It will be split in two, starting with Python and ending with JavaScript.

Now to figure out how all this is going to work…

Nobody knows you’re a pack of dogs, is more like it.

I wonder if my students could understand this process? Or if they’re even interested. This is so retro.

Much more to read at Mastering Markdown.

Next target could be paco.org, but I think I’d rather do idtprof.com.

What this guy said:

With only about a month left between now and the final day of classes, I hope my students are getting visits from that misunderstood muse, Panic. She might be the last hope for some people. Taken from imgur.

Just some guy at the chicken farm rounding up a herd.

Actually, just a creative guy with some free time that saw the opportunity to have some fun with Photoshop and created a scene out of a Saturday morning cartoon (remember those? ever hear of a Saturday morning cartoon?). It’s small, projects like this that allow graphic artists to experiment and flex some creative muscles. Taked from imgur.

Acquiring Photoshop expertise means never having to worry about your Halloween pictures. Taken from imgur.

My wife was out on retreat this past week with her quilt group and when it came time to take a group photo, they didn’t have access to another person that might take their picture. But we were able to get this portrait:

… from these two originals:

Scarlett Johansson tripped and fell on the street. Here’s an animated .gif of the original video:

Then the internet got to work, and a meme was born:

More Photoshop trickery at Sad and Useless.

Taken from weknowmemes.com.

Swiped from imgur.com

And so it began. All the work was done on a Thursday, the finished product was delivered on Friday.