Module 1: Overview of the Windows 8.1 Platform and Windows StoreApps

This module introduces you to the Windows 8.1 user experience and features, Windows Store apps, and the new user interface. Understanding how Windows Store apps look and operate is key to understanding the principles you will use to develop your own Windows Store apps, and thus making your apps more intuitive, compelling, and useful.

 Lessons

• Introduction to the Windows 8.1 Platform
• Windows 8.1 UI Principles
• WinRT and Language Projections

 Lab: Overview of the Windows 8.1 Platform and Windows Store Apps

• Exploring the Windows 8.1 Platform
• Exploring a Windows Store App

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe the Windows 8.1 platform, architecture, and features.
• Explain the basics of the Windows 8.1 UI and Windows Store app experience and how the experience differs from Windows desktop apps.
• Explain the new API model, how it supports building Windows Store apps, and how it supports multiple language-specific projections.

Module 2: Creating User Interfaces Using XAML

In this module you will learn about the basic principles behind XAML, you will learn how to use XAML and the corresponding code-behind to create a responsive UI. you will also learn how dynamic and complex user interfaces are developed by using advanced features of XAML.

 Lessons

• XAML Basics
• XAML Code-Behind
• Advanced XAML

 Lab: Creating User Interfaces by Using XAML

• Creating the User Interface by using Visual Studio 2013
• Enhancing the UI by using Visual Studio 2013

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe the basic principles behind XAML.
• Use XAML and the corresponding code-behind to create a responsive UI.
• Understand how dynamic and complex UIs are developed by using advanced features of XAML.

 Module 3: Presenting Data

This module explains how to ensure that your app supports various devices and screen orientations.

 Lessons

• Working with Data Presentation Controls
• The GridView Control

 Lab: Presenting Data

• Presenting the Note Data in the GridView Control

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Explain the different ways in which data can be displayed in Windows Store apps.
• Use the GridView control to present groups of data in a dynamic and flexible view.

 Module 4: Implementing Layout Using Windows 8.1 Built-In Controls

In this module, you will learn how by using the built-in controls and recommended methods, you can create intuitive apps that employ the common Windows 8.1 UI patterns across a variety of devices, with different form factors, and different input methods.

 Lessons

• WinRT Controls
• AppBar Control
• Windowing Modes

 Lab: Implementing Layout by Using Built-In Controls in Windows 8.1

• Implementing an App Bar

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe the WinRT library and controls.
• Describe the app bar and explain the app bar functionality.
• Describe how to create views with an adaptive layout, and explain the best practices.

 Module 5: Handling Files in Windows Store Apps

In this module you will learn how to use files, streams, and pickers so that the user can store and retrieve information managed by your app.

 Lessons

• Handling Files and Streams in Windows Store Apps
• Working with File User Interface Components

 Lab: Handling Files in Windows Store Apps

• Using the File API to Read and Write Data from the Notes Files
• Adding Photos to a Note by using File Picker

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Work with files and streams by using WinRT.
• Use WinRT pickers to display a UI that lets the user select an item, such as a file or a contract.

 Module 6: Windows Store App Process Lifetime Management

This module covers the app life cycle, app state management, and various app activation states. Understanding PLM is important for properly persisting data across suspensions, recovering from termination, and sharing settings between app installations on multiple devices.

 Lessons

• Process Lifetime Management
• Windows Store App Activation and Background Tasks
• Implementing a State Management Strategy

 Lab: Windows Store App Process Lifetime Management

• Exploring the Different PLM States
• Implementing State Management

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe the various states of a Windows Store app.
• Describe app activation modes.
• Implement app state management.

 Module 7: Working with Resources, Styles, and Templates

In this module you will learn how to use resources, styles and templates.

 Lessons

• Creating Shared Resources
• Creating Styles and Templates

 Lab: Working with Styles and Templates

• Creating a Control Style and Template

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Create shared resources, which can be reused across multiple UI elements.
• Create custom styles and templates, to provide a consistent look for your app.

 Module 8: Designing and Implementing Navigation in a Windows Store app

In this module you will learn how to design and implement navigation in a Windows Store app. you will also learn how to implement semantic zoom in a Windows Store app.

 Lessons

• Handling Navigation in Windows Store apps
• Semantic Zoom

 Lab: Designing and Implementing Navigation in a Windows Store App

• Adding Navigation to the ILoveNotes App
• Implementing Semantic Zoom

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Implement navigation and pass data between pages in your apps.
• Explain the purpose and functionality of Semantic Zoom in a Windows Store app.

 Module 9: Implementing Windows 8.1 Contracts

This module introduces contracts and charms. These are two new Windows 8.1 features you can use to create a consistent and unified experience across Windows Store apps. By using contracts, you can make it easier for users to search for the content of your app, to discover and modify common settings, and to share data with other apps.

 Lessons

• Designing for Charms and Contracts
• The Search Contract and the SearchBox Control
• The Share Contract
• Managing App Settings

 Lab: Implementing Windows 8.1 Contracts

• Implementing the Search Contract
• Implementing the Share Contract
• Adding a New Setting to the Settings Pane
• Optional: Implementing Search with the SearchBox Control

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Design apps to use charms and contracts.
• Implement the Search contract.
• Implement the Share Target and Share Source contracts.
• Describe the Settings pane and add settings commands.

 Module 10: Implementing Tiles and User Notifications

In this module you will learn how to implement tiles and user notifications.

 Lessons

• Implementing Tiles, Live Tiles, Secondary Tiles, and Badge Notifications
• Implementing Toast Notifications

 Lab: Implementing Tiles and User Notifications

• Enabling Live Tile Functionality on the Main Tile
• Adding Secondary Tiles Functionality
• Adding Scheduled Toast Notifications for ToDo Notes

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Implement tiles, live tiles, and secondary tiles that draw the user back to your app.
• Implement toast notifications to display important information.

 Module 11: Designing and Implementing a Data Access Strategy

This module describes the various data access strategies that you can use in app development, and it specifically focuses on the best practices for remote storage.

 Lessons

• Evaluating Data Access Strategies
• Working with Remote Data

 Lab: Designing and Implementing a Data Access Strategy

• Answer These Questions

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe various data access strategies and when to apply them.
• Describe common use cases that occur while working with remote data.

Module 12: Responding to Mouse and Touch

In this module, you will learn how to successfully include all the three interaction types in Windows Store apps

Lessons

• Working with Pointer Events
• Working with Gesture Events

 Lab: Responding to Mouse and Touch

• Implementing Mouse Events
• Implementing Gesture Events

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe mouse events and touch gestures in Windows 8.1.
• Identify the best practices for handling gestures.

 Module 13: Planning for Windows Store App Deployment

In this module, you will learn about the process of preparing and submitting a Windows Store app to the Windows Store. This includes changes to the app manifest, passing app certification, meeting Windows Store app certification requirements, and using Windows Store-related tools in Visual Studio 2013. Finally, you will learn how to submit apps to the Windows Store and a private enterprise store.

 Lessons

• The Windows Store App Manifest
• Windows Store App Certification

 After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Change the package manifest of an app to meet the requirements for deploying to the Windows Store.
• Deploy an app to the Windows Store and prepare an app for enterprise deployment.