#135 – Jonathan Bossenger on Enhancing WordPress Learning Experiences
Sep 4, 2024
auto_awesome
Jonathan Bossenger, a former software developer turned WordPress developer educator, shares his journey in transforming WordPress learning. He emphasizes the need for accessible educational resources globally, detailing the potential of the Learn platform. Key topics include interactive tools like Playground for coding practice, the importance of continually updated content, and the creation of structured learning pathways. Jonathan invites listeners to contribute to the Learn project, highlighting the community's role in making education more inclusive.
Jonathan Bossinger highlights the importance of making WordPress learning resources globally accessible and free through the Learn platform.
The introduction of the Playground feature enables interactive coding practice, transforming the learning experience for new WordPress developers.
Structured learning pathways are being developed to guide users from beginner to advanced levels, enhancing their overall educational journey.
Deep dives
Jonathan Bossinger's Role in WordPress Education
Jonathan Bossinger, based in Cape Town, South Africa, transitioned from software development to a developer educator role at Automatic. Drawing on nearly a decade of experience in the WordPress community since his first WordCamp in 2015, he is now focused on creating educational content for aspiring WordPress developers. His passion for education has led him to contribute significantly to the Learn WordPress platform, where he helps train newcomers and facilitate their journey into the WordPress ecosystem. By making educational resources accessible and free, he aims to empower individuals worldwide, especially those who might not have the financial means for expensive courses.
The Transformative Power of the Learn WordPress Platform
The Learn WordPress platform is designed to democratize learning opportunities for individuals globally. In particular, the introduction of the Playground feature offers users a way to interactively practice coding without the need for external tools, thereby streamlining the learning process. This approach is particularly beneficial for web agencies, as it allows them to onboard new developers more effectively while conserving valuable resources. Jonathan emphasizes that this tool is a game changer, making practical coding exercises more accessible and immediate for users.
Addressing the Challenge of Keeping Content Current
Keeping educational content relevant is an ongoing challenge for Jonathan and the Learn WordPress team due to the rapid evolution of WordPress itself. Despite the complexities of updating lessons and tutorials, he maintains that many foundational topics remain consistent, allowing previously created content to still provide value. Feedback loops, such as requests for updates and team reviews of lessons, play a crucial role in ensuring that the material remains current and useful. Jonathan shares that the goal is to create structured learning pathways that allow for effective tracking of learner progress from beginner to advanced levels.
Structured Learning Pathways for Efficient Learning
To enhance the educational experience, the Learn WordPress platform is implementing structured learning pathways tailored to user, designer, and developer categories. These pathways consist of interconnected modules that guide learners sequentially through concepts from basic to advanced levels. This structure helps users navigate their learning journey, ensuring they build a solid foundation before moving on to more complex topics. Jonathan describes this initiative as a response to user feedback, aiming to create a cohesive and directed learning experience.
Contributing to the Learn WordPress Initiative
Support from the community is critical to the success of the Learn WordPress initiative, with opportunities for contributions beyond just content creation. Jonathan encourages participation from individuals with diverse skills, including translation, video editing, and content review, to expand the platform's reach and effectiveness. The onboarding process for new contributors is designed to be accessible and comprehensive, fostering a supportive environment for first-time contributors. By promoting collaboration and feedback, the initiative aims to enhance the quality and variety of educational resources available to WordPress learners.
On the podcast today we have Jonathan Bossenger. Jonathan discusses his transition from software development to becoming a developer educator for WordPress. He emphasises the importance of making WordPress learning accessible globally through the Learn platform, providing up-to-date, freely available educational content. The conversation highlights the platform's transformative potential with tools like Playground, enabling interactive coding practice. Jonathan talks about the challenges of keeping content current, structured learning pathways for different user levels, and the role of contributors in translating and internationalising content. He also invites listeners to participate in the Learn project. If you’re curious about how people learn about WordPress, and how you can be a part of that project, this episode is for you.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode