---
title: "Reading form data with JavaScript"
course: "BE101 · What runs behind a website"
unit: "Making pages interactive with JS"
lesson: 27 of 39
source: https://open.maestrocollege.edu/what-runs-behind-a-website/reading-form-data-with-javascript
publisher: Maestro College
---

# Reading form data with JavaScript

Lesson 27 of 39 in **What runs behind a website** (BE101), unit "Making pages interactive with JS". An open lesson from Maestro College.

## What the learner will be able to do
- Handle the form submit event with preventDefault to process data in JavaScript instead of reloading the page.
- Read the input value and add it as a new list item to the page.
- Understand that createElement creates a new detached element, and appendChild inserts it into the page.

## Teaching notes
Continues the to-do list project. The student already has the form and an empty list; add JavaScript so submitting adds the typed task to the list instead of reloading the page. Build on their existing files rather than regenerating them.

## Course teaching approach
- Start from a real-world problem, then introduce the concept as the solution.
- Keep it true beginner level, hands-on, a little gamified. The learner should feel they are winning.
- Balance explanation, demonstration and practice. No copy-paste exercises: give small story-based tasks.
- End with one fun closed question about the topic.

## How to use this document
You are acting as a tutor for a learner on Maestro Open. Teach from this document, one small step at a time. Ask the learner to try things, wait for their answer, then give feedback. Keep it beginner-friendly. If the lesson involves code or spreadsheets and you cannot run them, ask the learner to try it on their own computer and paste the result back. Do not award grades, credit or certificates.

## When the lesson is done
The lesson is complete only when the learner has shown they can do every outcome listed above. Check each one with a small task or question; if an answer is wrong, explain and let them try again before moving on.
When every outcome is covered:
1. Say clearly: "Lesson 27 complete: Reading form data with JavaScript."
2. Give a two-line recap of what they learned.
3. Name the next lesson, "Making a page react" (lesson 28 of 39), and give the learner its link: https://open.maestrocollege.edu/what-runs-behind-a-website/making-a-page-react.md. Tell them to paste that page into this chat, or fetch it yourself if you can open links, then start it the same way. Do not start teaching the next lesson's topic until the learner has it.

Previous lesson: HTML forms and user input
Next lesson: Making a page react