Backend Dev

This course builds on the basics of web page development that are presented in Web and Mobile I and extends that knowledge to focus on theories, issues, and technologies related to the design and development of web sites. An overview of web design concepts, including usability, accessibility, information architecture, and graphic design in the context of the web will be covered. Introduction to web site technologies, including HTTP, web client and server programming, and dynamic page generation from a database.

Jokes. Transitioned from whiteboard use to vscode. Most majors prefer live code rather than words on the wall. Provided RIT's style guide as an example, and showed us sites for better UI and color palette. Cyberduck demo and integration were a plus as well.

The assignments and projects are well communicated, with clear objectives and a fair rubric. I really liked his style of teaching as well, and he was always available and ready to help for his office hours. Great teacher.

Prof. John seemed to have a down-to-earth personality about him that made reaching out to him for support on class materials easy. There was a natural comfort and as a professor, he taught the course content so understandably for me to grasp the concepts and enjoy the class. All teachers aren't perfect and that can be seen through him, he lets us know he is also human to the extent that he is not knowledgeable about everything but with practice one can become good.

He was clearly very knowledgeable in the course material, and it reflected in his demonstrations. Being able to go over topics with practice helped facilitate my understanding of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and other topics. I feel more confident in my programming abilities, which is not something I would've expected to say earlier in the semester.

• 2024 – trial of interactive textbook (ZyBook) for teaching javascript and PHP. Currently evaluating several chapters and a dozen labs to pilot in Spring.
• 2020 – 2024 – Created new lectures for various topics:
  1. Introduction to Javascript Presentationhttps://drive.google.com/file/d/15UaxCZPrdOQWowSlR27rGXc3TZlNO_h-/view?usp=drive_link
  2. Introduction to PHP and Server Side Web Programming: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/12HS9eVRoBK5-0KAcdwm8ZvbQTIzqE6dC/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=109898190618390773341&rtpof=true&sd=true

1. Final Exam / Practical Creation – Created new examinations for multiple semesters
   • Take Home Practical Video Overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1xX9jaYqjc
   • Instructions for Take home practical (from a different semester than video above): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1O1KQXe1tm7rirnOsgWAdKDtcNV472MbQfd7Dy5pBImo/edit?usp=sharing

This course builds on the basic aspects of web page development that are presented in the first course and extends that knowledge to focus on issues and technologies related to the design and development of web sites. Topics include advanced internet technologies (including, but not limited to: AJAX, server-side programming, database use and access, client libraries, server frameworks, and creating and consuming information services).

Professor Takats is kind, patient, and understanding when it comes to teaching the course material. He's very experienced as a web developer and he does his best to translate that into his teaching. He always tries to be available outside of class and will respond to questions at all hours of the day. He also put in a lot of time and effort to ensure we had real clients to work with for our group projects, and that alone has given me an invaluable experience in web work and project management. He really tries to go above and beyond, and secured a bunch of extra software to try preparing us for developing in real-world settings. I took a previous class with him, and went out of my way to take another because I appreciated his attitude and effort.

This was by far the best class I've taken at RIT. Although the material being taught, and my desire to learn web development may have played a part in how much I enjoyed taking this course, I believe that the biggest reason however was Prof. Takats. The manner in which he taught, explained with patience, promoted discussions and a positive learning environment, and how he was always available to meet with were things I genuinely appreciated. Also, the individual project and the group project setups were great.

I think Professor Takats did a good job organizing the massive amount of material in this course into manageable lessons. He provided helpful feedback on assignments and was always available for questions and assistance, especially after the switch to online learning. It is clear from taking this course that Professor Takats cares about his students and strives to help them learn material that is interesting and beneficial to them. He took a difficult course and helped us understand the material in a meaningful way.

Group Project for Local Non-Profit Organization Initiative

• Overview: Traditionally, students in the course (ISTE-646 Foundations of Web Technologies II) are tasked with developing a design document and a small website, complete with dynamic features such as web forms and database-driven content. However, recognizing the potential for real-world impact, I initiated an initiative to engage genuine clients, primarily from the Rochester non-profit sector. This strategic shift not only offered students a tangible connection to industry practices but also aimed to enhance the web presence of small organizations with very limited resources. Borat

News article w/ video on RIT website: https://www.rit.edu/spotlights/code-community-weaving-real-world-non-profit-projects-web-technologies-course

• Presentation to computing college on findings:
  • YouTube Video of presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbc3pi-8MnM
    • Slide Deck: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1raZNfZQC5be35rxtHDm9M3nryl6T-7iA/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=116505914402717236361&rtpof=true&sd=true

• Organizations we have helped:
  • Marketview heights (a community service organization committed to improving the quality of life in Rochester through underscoring the need for decent housing that is affordable to low and moderate income people):
    • Working Website:
      https://646marketview.cad.rit.edu/marketviewheights/
  • South Lyon Cardio Drumming
    • Working Website:
      https://646cardio.cad.rit.edu/getsimple-main/
  • Additional Organizations we have helped but not a finished website to show are: Britton Rd. Cemetery, UPSTAT Statistics Conference Mastermind (an academic quiz bowl for middle school and high school students).

Additional Initiatives and Development:

• Content Management Systems Added to curriculum. Since the class is composed of graduate students, many of whom are not actually going into Full Stack Development it wasn’t a requirement to learn as many of the basics. This allowed me to implement several content management systems the students could use in their group project including: WordPress, Joomla, Get Simple CMS.

This class provides an introduction to internet and web technologies. Topics include an introduction to the internet and basic internet technologies (including, but not limited to: SSH, SFTP, UNIX, XHTML, CSS, Client-Side programming, and website publishing)

For me this course became very helpful as professor was always available via office hours and during lecture as well. I can't thank enough for clearing my all doubts and guiding me. Thank you so much professor.

Cared about our learning journey

Professor Takats had enthusiasm and patience teaching the course materials. I really appreciated the speed of the course as an HCI student with no experience in web development; I would imagine the course is fairly slow for Software Engineering students or others with a coding-heavy background, however. I also appreciated that he's honest when he's not sure about a particular question, and welcomes learning opportunities from students as well, many of whom have experience working in Web careers.

I absolutely loved how Professor Takats taught the class. Maybe it is because I needed a refresher on web development, but I appreciated the pace of the class.

He was supportive in and out of class. He provided resources when needed and was willing to assist the student at all times. Overall, he was a mentor figure for me.

• 2021 – Implemented progressive enhancement principles into the course and wireframing.
• 2021 – Designed and added a team project to create a multi-disciplinary design document. View the instructions I developed here: View Document
• 2020 – Implemented an interactive textbook into the course (Zybook, a similar setup as described in ISTE-140 but with some differences for graduate level students).