Contact Me: info@ktrottier.website
<Kevin Trottier />
SCHOOL COURSES
Graphic Design
Graphic design, its history, imaging and the elements and principles of digital design in visual communication. An introduction to computer graphic design production tools and processes in visual illustration.
My Experience:
From the fundamentals of proper design to utilizing Adobe InDesign software, I gained tremendous experience and insight taking Graphic Design by covering all the main principles of design technique and theory in order to create my own artwork, move it through drafting stages by applying criticisms and evaluate improvements in a group environment throughout in order to streamline as much as possible by end-stage.
Intro to Web Development
A foundational course intended to familiarize students with the history, organization, technologies, development cycles, and ethical standards of Web development.
My Experience:
I learned the basics of web development starting with identifying the emerging trends, creating website documentation, including wireframes and site structure, as well as web/scripting languages, ethical standards, and copyrights.
Systems Analysis
A practical approach to real world systems analysis and design. Includes the systems development life cycle, structured methodologies and project planning. A case study project is analyzed, requirements are written and a systems design specification document is prepared.
My Experience:
As part of a project team, my teammates and I moved through the many stages of a systems analysis approach for solving the automatated billing issues of a fictitious corporate bank. From discussing the phases of the systems development lifecycle, analyzing the concerns of the business along with defining project scope, to producing all the necessary documentation: feasibility study, context flow, and use case, and solution proposals, culminating to a final written project draft and PowerPoint presentation. I served as document editor, collecting the team's contributions and making the final edits before submittal during every stage of the project. Used Google Docs.
HTML/XHTML
Website development using HTML5, approached from a source code perspective. Covers tags, forms, linked objects, CSS3, frames, tables, and introduction to the use of scripting. Students build multi-page websites.
My Experience:
Covered the fundamentals of using markup to add and edit text, move content around, and implement standardized application and site design. Also covered the new additions of HTML5 including semantic markup, embedded video, using proper CSS3 for cross-browser functionality, graceful degradation, W3C standards, and more.
CSS
Students will learn the details required to combine CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) with HTML, XHTML, or XML to create rich, powerful websites. Topics include: selectors, cascade and inheritance, text and font manipulation, layout, and positioning.
My Experience:
Created responsive website layouts utilizing modern CSS3 design techniques including the incorporation of HTML/XHTML elements, selectors, dynamic design, and animations. Participated in group discussions and collaboration to explore the advantages and disadvantages of web page layout using CSS, development tools and technologies, and covered the differences in access capabilities across cultures.
JavaScript
Students will explore the topics of embedding, inline and external scripts, functions, form validation, loops, conditional statements, strings, numbers, DHTML, and an introduction to JavaScript Frameworks. Students build multi-page Web sites using these technologies.
My Experience:
Explored the concepts of introductory programming methods including variables, data types, functions, event handlers and control structures, and the operations that can be performed with them. Used the browser object-model to create scripts that control browser functionality, focusing on object-oriented programming within client-side scripting. Worked within a WAMP/PHPMyAdmin/SQL database environment to test website functionality. Created an online car ordering application - see work sample.
JavaScript Frameworks
Students will investigate and use the advanced techniques available in JavaScript frameworks (libraries) such as jQuery, AJAX, MooTools, and Prototype.
My Experience:
Further investigated intermediate to advanced concepts in client-side scripting techniques while utilizing various Javascript libraries to introduce more advanced functionality. Read, modified, and created XML documents through AJAX libraries. Created advanced user interfaces using MooTools, jQuery, and Prototype. Applied the appropriate tools and technology to facilitate sustainable websites.
Joomla! and SEO
Students will learn to work with open-source content management systems (CMSs) and search engine optimization (SEO). Topics include Joomla!, installation of Joomla!, creating and updating content, and SEO concepts and techniques. Students will apply these topics while building multi-page websites.
My Experience:
Utilized the Joomla! Content Management System to build a practice website and a personal website implementing various widgits and plugins within a WAMP environment. Determined the business model of a website such as business-to-business, business-to-consumer, large organization, small organization, brick-and-mortar vs. E-commerce, social networking, blog. Learned about SEO best practices and the behavior of various search engines.
PHP
Topics include server-side scripting for Web pages using PHP. Students will learn fundamentals of PHP scripting including functions, logical structure, and database connectivity used in creating websites.
My Experience:
Identified and understood the differences between client-side and server-side scripting. Used properties, methods and event handlers associated with the Document Object to create functional back-end processes. Used the appropriate scripts, client-side or server-side, to extend interactivity to the existing JavaScript website using a database.
Database Theory/Design
Designed to recognize data as a business resource. Database models are discussed from both a developer’s and a user’s viewpoint. Topics include: Conceptual and logical models, and data normalization through case studies.
My Experience:
Worked in groups to explore the many stages of database theory and design of relational databases analyzing examples such as a pet parlor and a catoring business. Utilized MySQL Workbench to create relational database diagrams and explored concepts such as purpose/scope, objectives, relations, information requirements, business rules, and corresponding documentation.
SQL
Covers topics in Structure Query Language (SQL) including statements such as select, update, insert, delete, create. Emphasis on the ability to extract, update and maintain databases using SQL.
My Experience:
Learned what SQL is and how it is utilized to create relational databases, identified the major data types, and how to add or manipulate data within existing databases. Performed basic database maintenance and administration such as: insert, update and delete data, create, drop and modify tables.
XML
Topics include how XML is used in websites and data storage applications, XSL, incorporating style with XSL and CSS, namespaces, DTDs and schemas.
My Experience:
Created, structured, and scripted XML documents demonstrating proper XML syntax. Learned the use of namespaces, adding style with CSS and XSL, and transformed the XML into other formats using XSLT. Used XPath and XPointer for locating specific XML data and used XLink for linking XML and non-XML resources. Validated XML using DTDs and schemas and manipulation through the DOM.
VB.Net
An introductory course in programming using VB.NET. No previous programming experience is expected. Topics include designing, creating and debugging interactive, event-driven programs with a graphical user interface and developing problem solving skills.
My Experience:
Learned true object oriented programming through Visual Basic. Created drag and drop interfaces for applications then programmed the controls by designing algorithms typically used in computer programming, laid out flow charts, sequences, selections, and iteration constructs in the design of solutions. Utilized the SDLC from start to finish through design, code, test, and execution. Created three projects in VB.Net during the quarter.
Java
Introduction to Java programming. Topics include basic Java syntax, data types, control structures, methods, object representation using classes, graphics, Applets and arrays, all within a framework of general object oriented programming principles.
My Experience:
Analyzed real-world problems in quantitative terms and formulated programming solutions through the use of basic constructs of the Java programming language to write correct, efficient, and a maintainable application programs. Learned object-oriented concepts and structures in Java, implemented algorithms, and created three Java projects during the quarter.
Project Management
Learn the basics of working in a project team. Students create plans that identify project scope, constraints, stakeholders, and risks, then explore customer needs and requirements. Includes an introduction to scheduling. Team and communication skills strongly emphasized.
My Experience:
Contributed as a team member towards a project covering the many steps and stages of organizing a 20-year high school reunion event. Created planning documents: wrote a scope statement, identified project constraints, determined customer requirements, and evaluated stakeholders. Determined the use of project management tools such as the work breakdown structure, action plan, and linear responsibility diagram. Learned methodologies such as waterfall model and discussed agile. Utilized Google Docs to share documents among team members. Created two seperate projects - group and individual (see Work Sample).