How not to teach HTML
A friend of mine recently approached me needing some help on a simple HTML assignment. Granted this wasn’t for an actual HTML course, but I still found it odd that something so…ugly...would still be taught as a viable web design method.
Here’s a lovely little sample:
<table border=0 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0>
<td height=432></td>
<td width=340 height=432 valign=top align=left>
<p align=left><font face="Trebuchet MS" color=#000000 size=2><br></font><font face="Georgia" size=6><I>Home Page Title</I></font><font face="Trebuchet MS" size=2><br><br><br><br><br>Your home page gives your readers their first impressions of your site's purpose, content, and layout. This is a good place for text that orients readers to your organization and shows them how to navigate around your site.<br><br><br></font><font face="Arial" size=1><B>TO CONTACT US:</B></font><font face="Trebuchet MS" size=2><br><br></p><p align=center><center></font><font face="Arial" size=1><B>ORGANIZATION ADDRESS<br>YOUR ADDRESS LINE 2<br>YOUR ADDRESS LINE 3<br>YOUR ADDRESS LINE 4<br></B></font>
</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td height=3></td>
<td colspan=2></td>
</tr>
</table>Just imagine how much easier it would be to teach XHTML and CSS compared to this mess.
Markus Lassinniemi
Nov 30, 05:53
Most of the courses that have HTML involved are teaching similar stuff, tablebased design and frames and such, and only use CSS for styling links, not even to change headerfonts.. I refuse to read that particular course ;D
Josh
Nov 30, 06:50
I’ve been trying to get the guys at my office to kick the tables habit for a long time. When I think about it, it would be so much easier to tell them to forget what they know and pay attention to a down-and-dirty XHTML/CSS class. Bruce Lee once said, “In order to learn something new you must empty your glass.”
Thame
Nov 30, 19:28
What’s even more annoying is that it was under the “Best Practices” section of the homework list!
Aaron
Dec 4, 11:17
I just finished up my BS in IT and my intro to wed design class was the very same. Tables, tables, tables, old HTML. The last two classes introduced CSS and I remeber everyone saying how much they liked it compared to tables layouts. When asked why we didn’t start there – considering the intsructor claimed that was the “new” way of designing – he just stared at us with that “I’m only a first year instructor I only do what I am told” look.
Thame
Dec 4, 13:32
I don’t understand it either Aaron. Frankly, I think XHTML/CSS is easier to learn and understand because it makes more sense than tables and “old” HTML.