make.wordpress.org 🔗 **Source:** [make.wordpress.org](https://make.wordpress.org/training/2021/05/03/high-level-roadmap-to-learning-wordpress-development/) > [!note]+ Document Notes > tags: [wordpress-development, learning-roadmap, web-development] > author: Courtney Robertson > source: Make WordPress Training > reference: https://make.wordpress.org/training/2021/05/03/high-level-roadmap-to-learning-wordpress-development/ > date created: 2024-12-19 14:30 > > # 🏷️ Title: High-Level Roadmap to Learning WordPress Development > <!-- deep-read:sections start --> ## 🧰 Action Inbox - [H1] Review visual roadmap diagram — Whimsical embed for comprehensive overview #learning-path - [H2] Assess VCS placement in curriculum — Move version control earlier per feedback #curriculum-design - [H3] Expand testing coverage — Include E2E and functional testing beyond unit tests #quality-assurance ## 🧭 Table of Contents - [📝 Summary](#-summary) - [📖 Main Content](#-main-content) - [🗒️ Notes](#️-notes) - [📚 References](#-references) - [🗣️ Paraphrase](#️-paraphrase) - [📰 Newsletter](#-newsletter) - [✅ Action Items](#-action-items) - [🧪 Hypotheses](#-hypotheses) - [📊 Methodology](#-methodology) - [❓ Questions](#-questions) - [🔮 Future Research](#-future-research) - [💡 Implications](#-implications) - [🧠 Learning Styles Assessment](#-learning-styles-assessment) - [📊 Accessibility Assessment](#-accessibility-assessment) - [🌍 DEIB Assessment](#-deib-assessment) - [✅ Logical Validity](#-logical-validity) - [🛡️ DARVO Analysis](#-darvo-analysis) - [🎯 Conclusion](#-conclusion) ### 🔗 References - [Visual Roadmap](https://whimsical.com/embed/EG8T9S7zddbSVhnm85MmDf) - [Learn WordPress](https://learn.wordpress.org/) ## 📝 Summary - WordPress Training Team member Courtney Robertson presented a comprehensive roadmap for learning WordPress development, addressing the common question "How do you learn WordPress?" with a structured approach - The roadmap recognizes WordPress development spans multiple skill areas including content management, design/UX, development, QA, accessibility, and translation - Community feedback highlighted needs to move version control earlier in the curriculum, expand testing coverage, and better support React developers transitioning to WordPress - The initiative aims to shape content on Learn.WordPress.org and provide visual navigation for lesson plans and courses - Bottom line: A structured learning path helps navigate the complexity of WordPress development education ## 📖 Main Content The WordPress Training Team tackled a fundamental challenge in WordPress education: creating a clear learning path for the diverse skillsets needed in WordPress development. With WordPress powering 41% of the internet, the scope of potential learning is vast, ranging from basic content creation to advanced development practices. The roadmap addresses the ambiguity in "learn WordPress" by breaking down specific learning goals: - Content management (posts, pages, site management) - Theme development (child themes, custom themes) - Plugin development and customization - Block development for Gutenberg - API usage for decoupled architectures The initiative incorporates existing community frameworks from contributors like @chanthaboune's WordPress Contributor Team Structure and @mapk's community theory work. Key technical areas identified include HTML/CSS fundamentals, JavaScript, PHP, database management, and emerging areas like React integration. Community feedback revealed important gaps, particularly around version control placement (suggested to move earlier), comprehensive testing approaches (beyond just unit testing), and pathways for React developers to gain WordPress PHP knowledge. ## 🗒️ Notes #### Introduction and Problem Statement - Key idea: WordPress learning is complex due to multiple potential entry points and skill areas - Evidence: "When we say 'learn WordPress', that can mean many things: Learn to write a post/page? Learn to manage a site? Learn to create a child theme?" #### Scope of WordPress Development Skills - Key idea: WordPress development encompasses diverse skillsets beyond just coding - Evidence: "When we think about building a website, there are skillsets around Content, Design/UX/UI, Development (with code), Quality Assurance, Front end, Back end, Full stack, DevOps, Translation, Accessibility" #### Learning Path Complexity - Key idea: The breadth of WordPress's market share creates extensive learning opportunities and challenges - Evidence: "At 41% of the internet and growing, there really is a lot to learn" #### Educational Philosophy - Key idea: Quality learning experiences require significant behind-the-scenes work and structured guidance - Evidence: "My favorite myth to dispel is that teaching or learning is easy... Behind the scenes, a great deal of work happens to provide the user or student with a cohesive learning experience" #### Gap in Existing Resources - Key idea: WordPress and PHP are underrepresented in mainstream web development learning paths - Evidence: "Yet there are few maps that incorporate WordPress or PHP into the web developer's learning" #### Community Feedback on Version Control - Key idea: Version control should be introduced earlier in the learning sequence - Evidence: "I think the one thing I'd call out looking at it this way is that version control is probably too far up the advanced chain. I would expect the ability to work with VCS for a theme developer" - Gary Kovar #### Testing Coverage Expansion - Key idea: Testing education should encompass more than just PHP unit testing - Evidence: "I might put a Testing level in general…JS/CSS/PHP & Automated Testing. There are lots of WP folks doing E2E tests as well as functional testing" - Gary Kovar #### React Developer Pathway Need - Key idea: High demand exists for React developers with WordPress PHP knowledge - Evidence: "If a good React dev learned some WP PHP, they'd be in really high demand. And as you know, bootcamps rarely teach PHP" - Ryan Kienstra #### REST API and Decoupled Development - Key idea: REST API knowledge is essential alongside GraphQL for headless WordPress - Evidence: "Under headless/decoupled I'd also add REST. While Gatsby and GraphQL are fantastic, the reality is the REST API is quite commonly used" - Zach Tirrell #### WordPress-Specific Development Concepts - Key idea: WordPress hooks and filters are fundamental for building interoperable solutions - Evidence: "I also find that introducing new devs to WordPress action & filter hooks are really important for building things that interoperate well" - Zach Tirrell #### Debugging as Foundation - Key idea: Interactive debugging skills are crucial for understanding WordPress architecture - Evidence: "Interactive debugging was the one thing that really helped me understand WordPress when I was learning" - Micah Wood #### Non-Developer Troubleshooting - Key idea: Troubleshooting guidance is needed for non-coding WordPress users - Evidence: "I also think we should have some level of troubleshooting guidance for people who don't know how to code. Things like how to use site health, understanding and troubleshooting plugin conflicts" ## 📚 References - [Make WordPress Training](https://make.wordpress.org/training/) - [Learn WordPress](https://learn.wordpress.org/) - [Visual Roadmap on Whimsical](https://whimsical.com/embed/EG8T9S7zddbSVhnm85MmDf) - [WordPress Developer Documentation](https://developer.wordpress.org/) ## 🗣️ Paraphrase - WordPress development learning requires structured guidance due to the platform's versatility and the many different entry points and skill levels involved - The roadmap addresses gaps in existing web development education by incorporating WordPress-specific technologies and approaches that mainstream bootcamps often overlook - Community feedback emphasizes moving foundational tools like version control earlier in the curriculum and expanding beyond basic testing to include comprehensive QA approaches ## 📰 Newsletter 🗺️ **New WordPress Development Learning Roadmap** The WordPress Training Team has released a comprehensive roadmap for learning WordPress development, tackling the age-old question: "How do you learn WordPress?" **Key Benefits:** - Clear learning progression from content management to advanced development - Structured approach covering HTML/CSS, JavaScript, PHP, and WordPress-specific concepts - Community-validated curriculum addressing real hiring needs **What's Included:** - Visual roadmap diagram showing skill progressions - Multiple entry points for different backgrounds - Integration with Learn.WordPress.org content The roadmap recognizes that "learning WordPress" can mean anything from writing posts to building custom themes, plugins, or headless applications. Community feedback is already shaping improvements around version control placement and testing coverage. **Resources:** [Learn WordPress](https://learn.wordpress.org/), [Developer Docs](https://developer.wordpress.org/), [Training Team](https://make.wordpress.org/training/) ## ✅ Action Items #### WordPress - Training: Implement visual roadmap navigation on Learn.WordPress.org - Training: Move version control earlier in curriculum sequence based on feedback - Training: Expand testing coverage to include E2E and functional testing approaches - Training: Create React-to-WordPress transition pathway for bootcamp graduates - Training: Develop WordPress-specific debugging curriculum including interactive debugging - Training: Add REST API content alongside GraphQL in headless development modules - Training: Include WordPress coding standards and linting practices in foundational content - Training: Create troubleshooting guides for non-developers (site health, plugin conflicts) - Documentation: Cross-reference roadmap with existing DevHub resources - Community: Gather employer feedback on hiring requirements for curriculum validation #### Community - Contributors: Review and provide feedback on roadmap sequencing and content gaps - Maintainers: Align curriculum development with core WordPress feature roadmaps - Sponsors: Support development of comprehensive learning path resources ## 🧪 Hypotheses - Structured learning paths increase WordPress developer retention and competency compared to unguided exploration - Moving version control earlier in the curriculum improves theme developer job readiness - React developers with targeted WordPress PHP training become highly employable in the WordPress ecosystem - Visual roadmap navigation increases course completion rates on Learn.WordPress.org ### 📊 Methodology - Survey WordPress hiring managers about required skills and knowledge gaps in new hires - A/B testing of curriculum sequences with version control placement variations - Track completion rates and job placement for React-to-WordPress pathway participants ### ❓ Questions - How do we measure learning progression effectively across such diverse skill areas? - What's the optimal balance between WordPress-specific knowledge and general web development skills? - How can we better serve the transition from non-coding WordPress users to developers? ### 🔮 Future Research - Analysis of WordPress job market skill requirements across different company sizes and sectors - Comparative study of WordPress developer education approaches versus other CMS platforms - Investigation of accessibility and internationalization integration throughout the learning path ### 💡 Implications - Practice: Standardized learning progression improves WordPress developer quality and consistency - Policy: Training team resource allocation should prioritize foundational skills like debugging and version control - Education: Visual learning aids and structured pathways reduce barriers to WordPress development entry - Funding: Investment in comprehensive curriculum development supports WordPress ecosystem growth ### 🧠 Learning Styles Assessment Reading level estimate: 12th grade (technical content with clear explanations) #### 👀 Visual learners - Present: Whimsical roadmap diagram, structured skill progression visualization - Improve: Interactive skill tree, progress tracking visuals, architecture diagrams #### 🔊 Aural learners - Present: Community discussion format, meeting-based feedback loops - Improve: Audio curriculum summaries, recorded learning path explanations #### 🗣️ Verbal learners - Present: Clear definitions of WordPress terminology, community discussion examples - Improve: Glossary expansion, peer explanation exercises, mentorship programs #### 🧩 Kinesthetic learners - Present: References to hands-on debugging, interactive development practices - Improve: Step-by-step coding exercises, sandbox environments, practical projects #### 🧠 Logical learners - Present: Sequential skill progression, structured roadmap organization - Improve: Decision trees for learning paths, competency matrices, clear prerequisites #### 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Social learners - Present: Community feedback integration, collaborative roadmap development - Improve: Study groups, peer review systems, mentor matching #### 🧘‍♀️ Solitary learners - Present: Self-guided roadmap structure, individual skill assessment - Improve: Personal progress tracking, self-evaluation checkpoints, independent project ideas #### 🌿 Naturalistic learners - Present: Ecosystem thinking about WordPress community structure - Improve: WordPress ecosystem relationships, sustainability considerations in development ### 📊 Accessibility Assessment #### Screen reader semantics - Present: Proper heading hierarchy, descriptive link text for resources - Improve: Alternative text for roadmap diagrams, semantic markup for skill progressions #### Keyboard navigation - Present: Standard web navigation patterns - Improve: Keyboard shortcuts for roadmap navigation, focus management in interactive elements #### Contrast and readability - Present: Standard WordPress.org styling meets contrast requirements - Improve: High contrast mode for complex diagrams, readability testing for curriculum content #### Text resizing and reflow - Present: Responsive design supports text scaling - Improve: Ensure roadmap diagrams remain usable at high zoom levels #### Media and captions - Present: Text-based content with embedded diagrams - Improve: Audio descriptions for visual roadmaps, video content with captions for complex concepts #### Forms and interactions - Present: Standard comment forms with proper labels - Improve: Interactive roadmap elements need accessible controls and feedback ### 🌍 DEIB Assessment #### Cultural breadth - Present: Global WordPress community perspective, multiple contributor examples - Improve: International hiring practice examples, diverse learning path case studies #### Inclusive language - Present: Neutral technical language, defined jargon - Improve: Plain language alternatives for complex concepts, cultural context for web development practices #### Neurodiversity support - Present: Structured content with clear headings, logical progression - Improve: Multiple content formats, processing time considerations, sensory-friendly alternatives #### Representation - Present: Multiple community contributor voices in feedback - Improve: Diverse skill level examples, varied career path representations #### Psychological safety - Present: Supportive learning community tone, acknowledgment of learning difficulty - Improve: Explicit statements about learning pace differences, mistake normalization ### ✅ Logical Validity #### Strong reasoning - Deductive strength: WordPress market share necessitates structured education (strong premise → conclusion) - Inductive strength: Community feedback patterns suggest curriculum improvements (multiple examples support generalizations) - Causal reasoning: Lack of structured paths causes learning difficulties (clear cause-effect relationship established) - Analogical strength: Learning roadmaps work in other tech areas, therefore should work for WordPress (reasonable analogy with limitations) #### Fallacies - Appeal to popularity: WordPress's 41% market share doesn't automatically validate all learning approaches - False dichotomy: Presentation implies structured vs. unstructured learning without exploring hybrid approaches #### Tone of voice - Overall tone: Collaborative and constructive, seeking community input while acknowledging complexity ### 🛡️ DARVO Analysis - Deny: No denial patterns present - Attack: No attacks on existing learning approaches or critics - Reverse victim/offender: No victim/offender dynamics present - Emotional cues and rhetoric: Positive, solution-focused language emphasizing community collaboration ## 🎯 Conclusion The WordPress development learning roadmap represents a significant step toward addressing the complexity of WordPress education. By providing structured guidance for diverse learning paths—from content management to advanced development—the initiative tackles a fundamental barrier to WordPress adoption and developer quality. The community feedback process has already identified key improvements: moving foundational tools like version control earlier in the curriculum, expanding testing education beyond unit tests, and creating specific pathways for React developers entering the WordPress ecosystem. The roadmap's integration with Learn.WordPress.org positions it to become a central resource for WordPress education, potentially improving developer quality, job readiness, and ecosystem growth as WordPress continues to power an increasing share of the web. ## 🧱 Refactor Appendix ### 📚 Literature Split Pad Purpose: Stage CEE units that become Literature notes. Split level: H3 ### [H1] WordPress development education requires structured guidance > [!quote] [High-Level Roadmap to Learning WordPress Development](https://make.wordpress.org/training/2021/05/03/high-level-roadmap-to-learning-wordpress-development/) by [[Courtney Robertson]] via [[Make WordPress Training]]. Published 2021-05-03. Accessed 2024-12-19. > "Without a roadmap or guidance on what to learn next, you can get lost in a sea of resources." Addresses the fundamental challenge of navigating WordPress's educational complexity. [view highlight](https://make.wordpress.org/training/2021/05/03/high-level-roadmap-to-learning-wordpress-development/#H1) #wordpress #education ID:rw_wp_roadmap_01 ### [H2] Version control belongs earlier in WordPress curriculum > [!quote] [High-Level Roadmap to Learning WordPress Development](https://make.wordpress.org/training/2021/05/03/high-level-roadmap-to-learning-wordpress-development/) > "Version control is probably too far up the advanced chain. I would expect <!-- deep-read:sections end -->