Sheridan Course Outlines

Land Acknowledgement

Sheridan College resides on land that has been, and still is, the traditional territory of several Indigenous nations, including the Anishinaabe, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, the Wendat, and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. We recognize this territory is covered by the Dish with One Spoon treaty and the Two Row Wampum treaty, which emphasize the importance of joint stewardship, peace, and respectful relationships.

As an institution of higher learning Sheridan embraces the critical role that education must play in facilitating real transformational change. We continue our collective efforts to recognize Canada's colonial history and to take steps to meaningful Truth and Reconciliation.

Section I: Administrative Information

Total hours: 21.0
Credit Value: 1.5
Credit Value Notes: N/A
Effective: Winter 2019
Prerequisites: N/A
Corequisites: N/A
Equivalents: N/A
Pre/Co/Equiv Notes: APPL7007, APPL70079, recommended INFO70043

Program(s): Front-End Web Development
Program Coordinator(s): N/A
Course Leader or Contact: N/A
Version: 20190107_00
Status: Approved (APPR)

Section I Notes: This course is offered in-class. The sessions may include a variety of interactive and engaging activities including discussions, workshops, group activities, role plays, case studies and presentations. Readings, video, and podcasts may be provided online, on Sheridan's Learning and Teaching Environment (SLATE), to support class activities and reinforce material covered during class sessions. Assignment details will be provided in class and on SLATE. Students will need a laptop and reliable access to the internet.

Section II: Course Details

Detailed Description
Students explore on-site and off-site Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Students learn the concepts of search engine functionality, keyword research, optimizing website code and content, and performing SEO audits. Through hands-on activities, students learn to gather and analyze website traffic, search appearance and click-through rate using variety of tools.

Program Context

Front-End Web Development	Program Coordinator(s): N/A
This is an elective course in the Front-End Web Development Certificate.

Course Critical Performance and Learning Outcomes

	Critical Performance:
	By the end of this course, students will have demonstrated the ability to use on-site Search Engine Optimization techniques in the optimization of website visibility.

	Learning Outcomes: To achieve the critical performance, students will have demonstrated the ability to:
	Explain on-site and off-site Search Engine Optimization Create a content strategy based on keyword research Create a website structure using XML sitemaps and HTML elements Analyze website content to improve search engine rankings Perform SEO audits to increase organic site traffic Use web analytics and SEO tools to evaluate the SEO strategy

Evaluation Plan
Students demonstrate their learning in the following ways:

Evaluation Plan: IN-CLASS

	Quiz 1	10.0%
	Assignment 1	20.0%
	Quiz 2	10.0%
	Quiz 3	10.0%
	Assignment 2	30.0%
	Assignment 3	20.0%
	Total	100.0%

Evaluation Notes and Academic Missed Work Procedure:

TEST AND ASSIGNMENT PROTOCOL

The following protocol applies to every course offered by the Faculty of Continuing and Professional Studies

1. Students are responsible for staying abreast of test dates and times, as well as due dates and any special instructions for submitting assignments and projects as supplied to the class by the instructor.

2. Students must write all tests at the specified date and time. Missed tests, in-class/online activities, assignments and presentations are awarded a mark of zero. The penalty for late submission of written assignments is a loss of 10% per day for up to five business days (excluding Sundays and statutory holidays), after which, a grade of zero is assigned. Business days include any day that the college is open for business, whether the student has scheduled classes that day or not.  An extension or make-up opportunity may be approved by the instructor at his or her discretion.

Provincial Context
The course meets the following Ministry of Colleges and Universities requirements:

Essential Employability Skills
Essential Employability Skills emphasized in the course:

Communication Skills - Communicate clearly, concisely and correctly in the written, spoken, visual form that fulfills the purpose and meets the needs of the audience.
Communication Skills - Respond to written, spoken, or visual messages in a manner that ensures effective communication.
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving Skills - Use a variety of thinking skills to anticipate and solve problems.
Information Management Skills - Analyze, evaluate, and apply relevant information from a variety of sources.
Information Management - Locate, select, organize and document information using appropriate technology and information systems.
Personal Skills - Manage the use of time and other resources to complete projects.
Personal Skills - Take responsibility for one's own actions, decisions, and consequences.

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition
PLAR Contact (if course is PLAR-eligible) - Office of the Registrar

Not Eligible for PLAR

Section III: Topical Outline

Some details of this outline may change as a result of circumstances such as weather cancellations, College and student activities, and class timetabling.
Instruction Mode: In-Class
Professor: N/A
Resource(s): N/A
Applicable student group(s): Faculty of Continuing and Professional Studies Students
Course Details:

Module 1: Introduction to on-site SEO

On-site and off-site SEO
History of search engines
How search engines operate
SERP ( Search Engine Results Page) features
Search Verticals: Universal, Local SEO, News SEO, Image, Video
Importance of SEO

Quiz 1 (5%)

Module 2: Keyword Research

Keyword
Keyword research
Keyword research tools
Using Google keyword planner
Competitive keyword analysis

Assignment 1 (10%)

Module 3: Website Structure

Robots.txt
XML sitemaps
Using keywords on website
Taxonomy & URL Structure
HTML elements
Inbound and outbound links
Schema concept

Assignment 2 (15%)

Module 4: Content

Using keywords on a single page
Headers
Keyword density
Multi media
Canonicals
Thin content

Assignment 3 (20%)

Module 5: SEO Audits & Tools

Common SEO Issues
Technical SEO
Domain & Page authority
Content quality
Backlink count

Assignment 4 (35%)

Module 6: Web Analytics & Reporting

SEO KPIs (Key Performance Indicator)
SERP reports
Google Search Console
Google Analytics

Assignment 5 (15%)

Sheridan Policies

It is recommended that students read the following policies in relation to course outlines:

Academic Integrity
Copyright
Intellectual Property
Respectful Behaviour
Accessible Learning

All Sheridan policies can be viewed on the Sheridan policy website.

Appropriate use of generative Artificial Intelligence tools: In alignment with Sheridan's Academic Integrity Policy, students should consult with their professors and/or refer to evaluation instructions regarding the appropriate use, or prohibition, of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for coursework. Turnitin AI detection software may be used by faculty members to screen assignment submissions or exams for unauthorized use of artificial intelligence.

Course Outline Changes: The information contained in this Course Outline including but not limited to faculty and program information and course description is subject to change without notice. Nothing in this Course Outline should be viewed as a representation, offer and/or warranty. Students are responsible for reading the Important Notice and Disclaimer which applies to Programs and Courses.

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