Self Managed Learning Plan: The Choice
The first thing I feel I need to look at when trying to decide which technology/skillset I should undertake for my Self Managed Learning Plan (SMLP) is where I see myself being at the end of the course.
Having looked at the current job market[1][2] and a number of local design studios[3] I am definite there is still a split within the industry when it comes to the roles of Web Designer and Web Developer.
I have come to this conclusion as I have not seen many designer roles requiring knowledge of programming languages. Nor have I identified many developer positions where Photoshop and Illustrator would be required skills. This along with the split being visible to see in places such as 9xb[5] and Coolpink[5].
Although I do understand the college are trying to make us rounded individuals with the knowledge of all things web. I feel this is the time when I need to make the decision as to which camp I sit in.
My ability to understand new computer languages quickly. Coupled with recently finding out I am never happier than when I’m coding and debugging, leads me to believe my strengths currently lie within the developer camp. I would be happy to see myself initially in this sort of role come the end of the course.
I am very happy with my ability in both XHTML and CSS and recently have begun to use small Javascript scripts to add more interactive elements to the sites I am building.
With this in mind and having taken on board comments from my tutor, peers and industry professionals such as Andy Rutledge[6]. I think PHP along with MySQL would be a relevant choice for me to approach over the 8 weeks of my SMLP.
By bringing my knowledge of these languages to a level where I am as happy to use them as I am with XHTML and CSS will provide me with a great benefit at this stage of my career. I have already had basic experience of where PHP sits within a web site after using it in some recent projects from templates. I would rate my current knowledge somewhere between novice and intermediate.
In preparation for the start of this SMLP I have begun to look at basic PHP tutorials. As recommended by the W3Schools website[7] I have begun to look into the basics of a further knowledge base this being Javascript.
This is purely as a grounding before learning PHP as the syntax appears to be very similar with the two languages. Meaning if I learn the basics of Javascript first I should find the basics of PHP easier to learn.
1. Trainee Web Developers (graduatesyorkshire.co.uk)
2. Web Designer (monster.co.uk)
4. The 9xb Team
6. The Employable Web Designer found at The Design View by Andy Rutledge