WordPress Programming Class

 

WordPress Programming Class Lesson Plan

Objective:

To equip participants with the foundational skills needed to create and customize websites using WordPress.

Duration: 10 hours (divided into multiple sessions)

Session 1: Introduction to WordPress (1 hour)

1. Overview of WordPress:
   • What is WordPress?
   • Brief history and significance.
   • Key features and benefits.
2. Setting Up a Local Development Environment:
   • Installing XAMPP or similar tools.
   • Creating a MySQL database.
   • Installing WordPress locally.
3. Exploring the WordPress Dashboard:
   • Navigating the admin interface.
   • Understanding key sections (Posts, Pages, Media, Themes, Plugins).

Session 2: Customizing Themes (2 hours)

1. Choosing and Installing a Theme:
   • Exploring free and premium themes.
   • Installing a theme from the WordPress repository.
   • Customizing the theme settings.
2. Custom CSS and Child Themes:
   • Adding custom CSS.
   • Creating a child theme for safe modifications.
3. Widgets and Menus:
   • Adding widgets to sidebars.
   • Creating custom menus.

Session 3: Working with Plugins (2 hours)

1. Introduction to Plugins:
   • What are plugins?
   • Popular plugin categories (SEO, security, forms, etc.).
2. Installing and Activating Plugins:
   • Finding and installing plugins.
   • Activating and configuring essential plugins.
3. Creating a Contact Form Using a Plugin:
   • Installing a contact form plugin.
   • Setting up a basic contact form.

Session 4: Custom Post Types and Taxonomies (2 hours)

1. Understanding Custom Post Types:
   • Creating custom content types (e.g., portfolio items, testimonials).
   • Registering custom post types.
2. Taxonomies and Categories:
   • Creating custom taxonomies (e.g., tags, genres).
   • Associating taxonomies with custom post types.

Session 5: Advanced Topics (3 hours)

1. Security Best Practices:
   • Securing your WordPress site.
   • Regular backups and updates.
2. Performance Optimization:
   • Caching mechanisms.
   • Image optimization.
3. Troubleshooting Common Issues:
   • Debugging techniques.
   • Common errors and their solutions.

Homework and Practice:

• Participants can create a simple portfolio website using the skills learned during the sessions.

Remember to adapt the pace and depth of each topic based on the participants’ prior knowledge and learning speed. Encourage hands-on practice and provide ample time for questions and discussions. Happy teaching! 🌟

For additional resources and lesson plans, you can explore the Learn WordPress Lesson Plans¹ and the Introduction to WordPress Course².