Adobe Dreamweaver CC (2017): Part 2 Course

Editorial Take

Adobe Dreamweaver CC (2017): Part 2 offers a focused continuation for learners who already grasp basic web development concepts and want to deepen their proficiency using Adobe’s visual design environment. While not cutting-edge by today’s standards, it delivers structured training in essential workflows like responsive layout creation and interactive form design.

The course fills a niche for designers seeking to master visual development tools without diving deep into manual coding—making it particularly relevant for those in marketing or small business web management roles.

Standout Strengths

• Responsive Design Mastery: Teaches fluid grids and media queries through hands-on projects, enabling websites that adapt seamlessly across devices. This remains a critical skill in modern web development.
• HTML Email Development: Provides rare, practical training in crafting branded, functional HTML emails—highly useful for digital marketers and small business owners managing newsletters.
• Visual Interactivity Tools: Covers Dreamweaver’s built-in behaviors and Spry framework to add animations and dynamic content without extensive JavaScript knowledge, lowering the coding barrier.
• Collaborative Publishing Workflow: Guides learners through setting up FTP/SFTP connections and managing remote files, simulating real-world team environments and version control basics.
• Structured Learning Path: Organized into clear modules with progressive complexity, helping learners build confidence through project-based milestones and portfolio-ready outputs.
• Accessibility Integration: Emphasizes accessible form design and semantic HTML, promoting inclusive web practices even within a visual editor context.

Honest Limitations

Outdated Software Version: Based on Dreamweaver CC (2017), missing newer features and compatibility updates. Modern developers often prefer code editors like VS Code paired with frameworks.
• Limited Coding Depth: Prioritizes visual tools over raw code, potentially leaving gaps in understanding underlying HTML, CSS, and JavaScript structure needed for advanced customization.
• Declining Industry Relevance: Dreamweaver usage has waned in professional circles; most agencies now use modern CMS platforms or headless architectures instead.
• Narrow Ecosystem Focus: Does not integrate with current front-end build tools, preprocessors, or version control systems like Git, limiting transferability to real-world dev workflows.

How to Get the Most Out of It

• Study cadence: Dedicate 4–6 hours weekly to complete assignments and experiment with responsive breakpoints. Consistency ensures mastery of layout transitions.
• Parallel project: Build a personal portfolio site alongside the course to apply techniques in a meaningful context and enhance resume value.
• Note-taking: Document each Dreamweaver panel function and keyboard shortcut to accelerate future workflow efficiency and reduce reliance on tutorials.
• Community: Join Adobe forums or legacy Dreamweaver groups to troubleshoot issues and share templates, despite limited active support.
• Practice: Recreate popular website sections using Dreamweaver’s responsive tools to internalize design patterns and improve visual problem-solving.
• Consistency: Maintain a regular schedule to reinforce muscle memory with the interface, especially when working with CSS styles and media queries.

Supplementary Resources

• Book: 'Responsive Web Design with HTML5 and CSS' by Ben Frain complements this course by explaining modern techniques beyond Dreamweaver’s scope.
• Tool: Use BrowserStack to test responsive designs across real devices, enhancing the testing phase beyond Dreamweaver’s preview mode.
• Follow-up: Transition to a modern framework like Bootstrap or Tailwind after completing the course to stay current with industry standards.
• Reference: MDN Web Docs provide authoritative guidance on HTML and CSS, helping bridge any knowledge gaps left by visual-only editing.

Common Pitfalls

• Pitfall: Over-reliance on visual design tools can hinder understanding of underlying code; always inspect and edit raw HTML/CSS to deepen technical insight.
• Pitfall: Ignoring mobile-first principles may result in broken layouts; prioritize small-screen testing early in the design process.
• Pitfall: Using deprecated features like tables for layout; stick to semantic, flexbox-based structures even within Dreamweaver’s constraints.

Time & Money ROI

• Time: Requires approximately 32–48 hours over eight weeks—reasonable for gaining intermediate proficiency in a legacy but still functional toolset.
• Cost-to-value: Priced moderately, offering good value if used to upskill in niche roles involving legacy website maintenance or internal marketing teams.
• Certificate: The credential holds moderate weight, best paired with a portfolio to demonstrate applied skills in visual web development.
• Alternative: Free alternatives like Thimble or online editors may offer similar functionality, but lack structured pedagogy and certification.

Editorial Verdict

This course delivers solid, intermediate-level training in Adobe Dreamweaver CC (2017), particularly valuable for learners working in environments where visual development tools are still in use. It successfully bridges foundational web design with practical applications like responsive layouts, interactive forms, and HTML email creation—skills that remain relevant even if the platform itself is aging. The structured curriculum and emphasis on publishing workflows make it a practical choice for marketers, small business owners, or designers who need to maintain websites without deep coding expertise.

However, learners should approach this course with realistic expectations. It won’t prepare you for modern front-end engineering roles that demand React, Vue, or advanced CSS frameworks. Instead, view it as a stepping stone—useful for mastering visual design logic before transitioning to more powerful, code-centric tools. For those committed to staying competitive, pairing this course with modern web development resources will maximize long-term career value. Overall, it’s a worthwhile investment if your goals align with maintaining or building simple, responsive websites efficiently using Adobe’s ecosystem.