Executive summary
This section explores the technologies, tools and design principles behind modern web and mobile applications. Learners begin with contemporary frameworks and stacks and the impact of search engine optimisation (SEO) on design. They then study the tools and platforms used to build websites — covering design flexibility, performance and user experience, core languages, server technologies, databases and content management systems. Attention then turns to multimedia tools and the accessibility, legal and ethical considerations that responsible design demands. The section ends with a complete website or mobile app project, from wireframe through build, test and evaluation.
Aims
The section aims to develop learners into informed, responsible web and mobile developers. It builds their ability to select appropriate technologies and tools, design for performance and good user experience, respect accessibility and legal/ethical obligations, and deliver, test and evaluate a working application.
Summary of learning outcomes
| LO1 | Understand modern web and mobile technologies and the influence of SEO on design and ranking. |
| LO2 | Understand the tools, languages and platforms used to build and manage websites and applications. |
| LO3 | Understand multimedia tools and the accessibility, legal and ethical considerations in design. |
| LO4 | Be able to design, build, test and evaluate a website or mobile application. |
Indicative content
- Web and mobile technologies: common frameworks and stacks; SEO basics (on-page, speed, links) and how design affects ranking.
- Tools and platforms: UX/UI concepts (flexibility, performance, functionality); HTML, CSS and JavaScript; server technologies and databases; content management systems (WordPress, Drupal) and design platforms; evaluating CMS versus custom builds.
- Multimedia and ethics: design tools (e.g. Photoshop, Illustrator); accessibility (WAI); DDA/SENDA concepts; suggesting accessibility improvements.
- Project: wireframing; building, testing and evaluating a site or app.
Assessment approach
Continuous checks include matching and comparison quizzes (for example, matching a stack to its characteristics or choosing the better of two designs) and activities identifying SEO or accessibility issues in sample pages. The summative project (LO4) is portfolio-based: learners submit a wireframe, then the built site or app with a test plan and an evaluation.
