
MAD9014
Cross-Platform Web Development
Course Outline
2025-2026
- Pre-requisite(s)
- N/A
- Co-requisite(s)
- MAD9013
- Prepared by
- Steve Griffith
- Approved by
- Shirley Piersma, Academic Chair, Media Studies
- Approval date
- Thursday, July 31, 2025
- Normative hours
- 70.00
- Grading system
- A+ Through F
Applicable Program | Level | Core/Elective |
---|---|---|
1515X01FWO - Mobile App. Des. & Dev | 1 | Core |
Land Acknowledgement
Algonquin College campuses in Ottawa, Perth and Pembroke are located on the traditional unceded, and unsurrendered territory of the Anishinàbe Algonquin People. The Algonquin People have inhabited and cared for these lands since time immemorial. We take this time to express our gratitude and respect to them and to the land for all that it has provided and will continue to provide.
As a post-secondary institution, we acknowledge the harms done to Indigenous Peoples and are committed to learning from the past. We pledge to promote healing and resilience as we move forward in partnership with the Algonquin Nations, First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples in a spirit of reconciliation.
While we recognize that territorial acknowledgements are only one step in cultivating greater respect and inclusion of Indigenous Peoples, we commit to accompanying these words with actions. We are dedicated to building a future and community that is better for all.
We pledge to continue exploring and making meaningful contributions to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action.
Learn more about the College's commitment to Truth and Reconciliation: https://www.algonquincollege.com/tri
Course Description
While developing native applications for mobile devices can hold many advantages, not every application runs only on a phone, and not every application requires direct access to native device features. Students gain a strong grasp of modern JavaScript development techniques through hands-on practice using Core JavaScript for both NodeJS and Browser environments. Students use the HTML5 stack with JavaScript to access modern Web APIs and build practical web applications that can use remote data sources and be instantly updated across multiple mobile and desktop platforms. Design skills and tools are leveraged to enhance these web applications.
Vocational Learning Outcomes
This course provides the opportunity for you to achieve the following outcomes:
1515X01FWO - Mobile App. Des. & Dev
VLO 5 | Develop full-stack web applications built with modern HTML Web APIs. (T, A) |
---|---|
VLO 8 | Plan and design data structures for use with REST APIs for web and mobile applications.. (T, A) |
VLO 9 | Design and develop multi-platform and cross-platform applications with a variety of current software tools and languages. (T, A) |
Essential Employability Skills
This course contributes to your program by helping you achieve the following Essential Employability Skills:
EES 5 | Use a variety of thinking skills to anticipate and solve problems. (T, A) |
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EES 10 | Manage the use of time and other resources to complete projects. (T, A) |
Course Learning Outcomes / Elements of Performance
When you have earned credit for this course, you will have demonstrated the ability to:
1. Employ professional web development tools such as Git, Github, and Visual Studio Code, in combination with a variety of SDKs, Toolkits, Frameworks, and AI coding tools to create multi-page and Single Page Applications and web sites.
- Use Git from the Command Line Interface to create and manage projects.
- Use Github to host websites and web app projects.
- Create projects and scripts with command line Git and NPM-based modules.
- Use VS Code extensions and features such as linting, code completion, built-in terminal access, and live server previews.
- Use Github to track issues and project development history, plus share work with other developers.
- Name at least three AI-powered tools that can be used to generate, explain, or debug JavaScript.
- Use an AI coding tool to enhance productivity by generating basic aspects of your web app or web site.
2. Write efficient JavaScript which can run both in NodeJS and in current browsers.
- Write functional programming scripts in JavaScript using built-in Array and Object methods.
- Explain the differences between different JavaScript looping statements - for, for...in, for...of, while, and do...while.
- Demonstrate different ways to solve logic problems in JavaScript with if statements, ternary statements, switch case statements, and logical short-circuiting.
- Explain the features and differences between function declarations, function expressions, IIFEs, standard functions, and arrow functions.
- Explain how different scopes are created in JavaScript and how using let, const, and var can impact the ability to access variable values.
- Select and employ appropriate JavaScript data structures for information related to a webpage.
- Demonstrate how to use built-in JavaScript methods such as map, filter, sort, push, pop, slice, and splice to manage Arrays.
- Demonstrate how to create and manage Object literals in JavaScript
3. Utilize remote web servers and APIs with HTTP requests, to provide dynamic content for web sites and web apps.
- Create XML and JSON files to hold data for use in JavaScript.
- Use the XMLHttpRequest and/or Fetch API to retrieve files from a remote API.
- Use Cookies, Headers, and QueryStrings to pass security information to a web server.
- Upload data to a web server or API using the Fetch API.
- Implement Cross-Origin Resource Sharing best practices while fetching data from a remote API.
4. Use event-driven JavaScript to write scripts that allow users to interact with the Document Object Model.
- Write scripts that dynamically add, update, or remove HTML elements based on user interactions.
- Write scripts that move HTML elements to different locations on the page following user interactions.
- Create scripts with JavaScript that run only after the HTML DOM has been parsed by the browser, or as a page is being unloaded.
- Create scripts with JavaScript that are triggered by a user filling out or submitting web forms.
- Create web page transitions and effects with scripts that are driven by events connected to CSS transitions and animations.
5. Employ HTML5 APIs to create interactive web pages that provide mobile device native-like features.
- Build a Single Page Application (SPA) that can simulate the appearance and navigation of multi-page websites.
- Create scripts that determine a user's geolocation with JavaScript from any browser.
- Create a script that uses the WebStorage API to save data locally in the browser.
- Create a script that uses the Cache API to save files in the browser.
- Use the Fetch API to download and upload text and binary files.
- Create a script that uses the History API to handle navigation including the browser back and forward buttons.
6. Use standard web techniques, including object-oriented and functional programming, to create web sites and web apps that can run across all modern browsers.
- Use JavaScript namespaces, IIFEs, and ES Modules to organize web applications.
- Explain the differences between using the prototype syntax and the class syntax to extend objects in JavaScript.
- Demonstrate scripts in JavaScript with both an Object-Oriented approach and a functional programming approach.
- Explain the differences in JavaScript between iteration and enumeration of Object properties.
Learning Resources
- Online video tutorials
- Magazine articles
- Online wikis and articles
- Tutorials
- Classroom lectures
- BS LMS
- Online course material hosted through GitHub.
- YouTube video tutorials
- Remote lectures from the course instructor
- Help sessions with the Program Assistants
To access your course list, learning resources and costs, visit Booklist.
Please note that a learner must be registered in a specific course or program to view this information.
Program tuition and fees can be found on the Tuition and Fees Estimator for Full-time Programs page.
Learning Activities
- Hands-on exercises, assignments and projects
- Self-directed exercises
- In-class discussions
- Online tutorials
- Remote lectures from Professor
- Video tutorials
- Assistance from Faculty and Program Assistants
Pre-defined Evaluation / Earning Credit
The following list provides evidence of this course's learning achievements and the outcomes they validate:
Quiz(zes)/Test(s) (10%)
Validates Outcomes: CLO 2, CLO 6, EES 5, EES 10
Exercises (20%)
Validates Outcomes: CLO 1, CLO 2, EES 5, EES 10
Assignment(s) (40%)
Validates Outcomes: CLO 3, CLO 4, CLO 5, CLO 6, EES 5, EES 10
Final Project (30%)
Validates Outcomes: CLO 1, CLO 2, CLO 3, CLO 4, CLO 5, CLO 6, EES 5, EES 10
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition
Students who wish to apply for Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) need to demonstrate competency at a post-secondary level in all outlined course learning outcomes. Evidence of learning achievement for PLAR candidates includes:
- Portfolio
- Performance Test
- Project/Assignment
Course Related Information
Please refer to the Course website for specific course-related information, including a weekly break down of topics, as provided by your professor.
Program Information
1515X01FWO - Mobile App. Des. & Dev
Late Assignment Submission penalties.
Assignments that are submitted after the deadline are subject to a late penalty.
Assignments submitted after the deadline up to 1 day - 10% penalty.
After 1 day up to 2 days - 20% penalty.
After 2 days, up to 3 days - 30% penalty.
After 10 days assignments are given a grade of zero. The assignments can still be submitted for feedback but are worth no marks.
Late penalty percentages are calculated based on the total possible value of the assignment, not the grade for the work.
Assignment Submissions
All assignment submissions must be new work by the student. This means that students who are repeating a course may not submit their work from a previous semester or previous version of the course for grading again.
Class Absences
Attendance at all classes, both in-person and online, is required.
If students are going to miss a class, they should contact their course instructor beforehand to let them know. This will give the instructor a chance to let the student know what they will miss, what they will need to make up for, and what material they will need to research on their own.
Department Information
College Related Information
Algonquin College’s policies have been developed to ensure the health, safety and security of all students, faculty and staff, and the proper and fair operation of the College as an academic institution and employer. Please refer to the Algonquin College Policies website for the most current policy information available at http://www.algonquincollege.com/policies/.
Students are especially encouraged to be aware of the following College expectations
Academic Integrity
Algonquin College is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity, and students are expected to uphold these standards throughout their learning journey with the College and post-graduation. Any academic work submitted by a student is expected to be their own work, unless designated otherwise, all human and technological assisted generated sources must be attributed. Refer to the College's Library web site for attribution support and resources. All students are expected to be familiar with the College’s AA48: Academic Integrity policy which outlines student and staff roles and responsibilities, the process for addressing, determining and ruling final academic decisions regarding violations of academic integrity as well as what represents academic misconduct. Students with any questions about academic integrity course expectations including but not limited to use of technology, generative AI and other resources to support completion of coursework, are encouraged to speak to their professor and refer to the course weekly schedule, assessment instructions, course announcements and materials.
Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL)
Students with visible and/or non-visible disabilities are encouraged to register with the Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL) in order to be eligible for appropriate learning supports and/or accommodations. Students are strongly encouraged to make an appointment with the Centre for Accessible Learning as early as possible when starting a program. Once your needs are identified, a Letter of Accommodation (LOA) will be issued which you can share with your professors through the CAL Student Portal. If you are a returning student, please ensure that professors are given a copy of your LOA each semester.
Test Accommodations for Students Registered with CAL
Students who require testing accommodations will book their tests/exams through the CAL Student Portal. It is important to note the posted test/exam booking deadlines for the term. Test booking deadlines are communicated through CAL Disabilities Counsellors, CAL Testing Services, and other college wide communication. Additional information on the steps to book accommodated tests/exams with CAL Test Services can be found at Step-by-Step Overview.
Retroactive Accommodations
Students are expected to meet evaluation and completion deadlines as stated in course outline and weekly schedule documents. In circumstances where evaluation deadlines are missed or student performance has been affected by a temporary, significant and/or unanticipated change in functional ability related to disability (including mental health), interim or retroactive accommodations may be considered. For these instances it is advised you reach out to CAL or your professors as soon as possible. For other situations where deferral of evaluations may be warranted, please consult Algonquin College Policy AA21: Deferred Evaluation.
Network Credentials and College Email
Students at Algonquin College are provided with a college email account. This is the address that will be used when the College, your professors, or your fellow students communicate important information about your program or course activities. Your network credentials can be found in the ACSIS portal and you are expected to check your Algonquin email regularly and to use it to send and receive college-related email. Students are required to maintain the privacy of their AC login credentials. Sharing network credentials poses a security risk and is subject to disciplinary action. Your responsibility to protect your login credentials is governed by the Information Security Policy IT01. Support is available through the college Information Technology Service (ITS) at: https://www.algonquincollege.com/its/
Mental Health and Wellness Supports
Canada has launched a national Suicide Helpline at www.988.ca and a wide range of mental health and wellness resources for Algonquin students are available at www.algonquincollege.com/SSS/student-health-wellness.
Student Course Feedback
Algonquin College invites students to share their course experience by completing a student course feedback survey for each course they take. For further details consult Algonquin College Policy AA25: Student Course Feedback.
Use of Mobile Devices in Class
With the proliferation of small, personal mobile devices used for communications and data storage, Algonquin College believes there is a need to address their use during classes and examinations. During classes, the use of such devices unless authorized by your professor can be disruptive and disrespectful to others. During examinations, the use of such devices is generally prohibited unless authorized by your professor. Otherwise use is considered academic dishonesty in the form of cheating. For further details consult Algonquin College Policy AA32: Use of Electronic Devices in Class
Technology Requirements
Students are required to have access to a computer and to the internet. There may also be additional technology-related resources required to participate in a course that are not included in the course materials fee, such as headphones, webcams, specialized software, etc. Details on these requirements can be found in the Weekly Schedule document of the course for each course available on Brightspace.
Transfer of Credit
It is the student’s responsibility to retain course outlines for possible future use to support applications for transfer of credit to other educational institutions.
Safe Harbour
In the event of an unexpected major event (pandemic, etc.), your course may have changes that are not reflected in the Course Outline. Should this happen, the Weekly Schedule document will have updated information about your course.