This course template with simplicity at it's core. This is reflected in trying to keep is as plain HTML possible and only using CSS Grid for layout. HTML displays data and and CSS delivers style. Together they make meaning.

This template is set up so you don't need to know any HTML. As long as you touch nothing in betwwen HTML tags you will be fine. I also tried to write instructions that teach you how to edit each each section.

As you use the template you will learn HTML. You will know when you are ready to start fooling around with the tags a bit more.

More importantly simplicity is reflected in the pedagogy. Each unit requires learners to read and interact with texts, write a reflection, analysis, etc, and then finally a production based performance assessment.

Our values are simple as well. The web is better when take control of how your identity and space are shaped. You should get to own you. It's that simple. This site is static. It collects no data. You can fill no form. We want you learning and sharing from your own space.

We also follow the simple rule that feedback drives learning. Encouraging text based discussion and text based analysis within and through the texts students read and write can be so much powerful than just talking about what they consume.

For a more in depth of the values guiding this proect see early draft of Princples of Open Pedagogy

I designed the course so you can remix it without ever having to touch any html. Only touch the black text in the editor. If you do want to change picutres or colors you can see the getting-started.md file (not there yet) and follow the tutorial.

I also included a style sheet using CSS Grid. This was my very first site I built using strictly CSS Grid so I may have made errors or not followed proper naming protocols. I also used a standard header, left nav, main, footer layout. Feel free to hop in.

There is also a tutorial page and a tutorial template page (not yet built)

I have also marked up each page with microformats. Many have pointed out to me the schema.org markup is more widely used by the "big players" I don't care. I want to learn with my friends not be beholden to platforms. Microformats to me seems the easiest way to parse learning. An open standard controlled by industry organzations we could never afford to join is just another kind of silo.

I also respect and share the values of the #indieweb community that have developed microformats for the past ten years.

I also believe bots and AI have a future in learning. I want these to be open and easily remixable as well. Using something as easy to parse as microformats makes us a little more future ready by bringing us back to a past of plain html.

The site also comes with a chatbot. However you will need to create an account and embed an iframe on the chatroom.html page. I used Minnit Chat

First complete the course goals and objectives sheet (goals.md) Then complete the learner persona activity Then describe or draw your workflow or learning space Finally remix the index.html and module template file. You can use the getting-started.md tutorial