Published lesson · 25 minutes

Build a component

Objective: Create and render a small React component that returns a clear interface.

Understand the idea

This lesson focuses on build a component. Create and render a small React component that returns a clear interface. We will use a familiar community situation to make the idea concrete, then break it into decisions you can explain. You do not need special equipment or previous experience beyond the course prerequisites.

A community resource list can use a ResourceCard component for each library, clinic or learning space. Start by naming the information or action involved, then consider what a visitor or learner needs to understand. This small planning step makes the example easier to follow and helps you notice assumptions before they become confusing.

A component is a reusable description of part of a user interface; composing components keeps a page organised. The example is synthetic and contains no real organisation, personal details or promises about services. Treat it as a learning model: adapt the structure to your own situation, and check details with the people responsible before publishing anything publicly.

Component names begin with a capital letter. Return semantic elements and keep each component focused on one understandable part of the page. Try changing one detail at a time and describe what changed. When something behaves differently from what you expected, return to the goal and inspect the relevant part instead of changing several things at once.

A component should make content easier to maintain while still producing useful HTML in the browser. A useful review asks whether the result is clear, usable and appropriate for the intended audience. Invite another person to try it when possible, and make improvements based on what they can actually understand or do.

Worked examples

Build a component: a small example

See how build a component can help communicate or solve a practical community task.

App.tsx

function ResourceCard() {
  return <article><h2>Community library</h2><p>Open on weekdays</p></article>
}

Practice tasks

  1. Explore build a component

    Use the worked example for “Build a component”. Change one small detail to suit a different synthetic community situation, then explain what you expected and how you checked whether the change still met the lesson objective.

  2. Build a React practice example

    Create a small practice result that demonstrates this objective: Create and render a small React component that returns a clear interface. Use only synthetic information, keep the first version focused, and write down one limitation that a later version should address.

  3. Review and explain the result

    Review your “Build a component” result as if another learner will use it without your explanation. Identify one strength, one exact point that may be unclear, and a revision that would make the result easier to understand or use.

Build a component becomes easier when you start with a clear purpose, try one small step and check the result from the learner or community member's point of view.

Course overview