Syllabus for Wordpress Website 101
(This is a draft in progress by Jan 9 2011)
Week1
1. What is wordpress?
2. Take a look at a few typical wordpress sites and also the ones that don't look like wordpress sites
(Artist Portfolio, E commerce site..)
http://wordpress.org/showcase/
3. How to Install wordpress
(1) Easy way: http://www.siteground.com/tutorials/wordpress/wordpress_installation.htm
(2) DIY way: http://www.siteground.com/tutorials/wordpress/wordpress_manual_installation.htm
(3) Local install for those who are interested (LINK)
4. Voila! Our first Wordpress Blog
5. Dashboard
- After finish installing, let's take a look at Dashboard
- How to change between themes: Where to find nice themes (There are free themes, and paid ones..)
- How to install plugins
6. Write our first blog post - Post, Page, Categories, Images upload.. etc
7. How to set Permalinks, User roles
Assignment for week1
Come up with a project Idea.
Install wordpress, install a theme you want, write your first blog, if you didn't get a chance to do it during the session
Week2
1. Why is my recent post always on top?
How do I make a post under certain category not appear on the main homepage?
(a.k.a Let's learn how to modify the theme)
http://www.brighthub.com/internet/web-development/articles/33502.aspx
2. Get acquainted with the structure of a theme
3. Understand Template Hierarchy
4. Take the default theme template and understand what some functions do in the templates.
- Wordpress is written in PHP. What is PHP/HTML?
- Go over a few important built-in wordpress functions
- Where to find what we need: The beauty of copying and pasting
Assignment for week2
Take a theme and modify it to meet your needs
(ex: Change the header image, change the order of post appearing, make certain category not appearing on the main home)
Week3
1. Understand StyleSheet: What is CSS and what can we do with it?
2. Go over a few style sheet language: http://www.w3schools.com/css/default.asp
3. Change the default theme's design using css
Assignment for week3
Realize some visual design change on your site
Week4
1. The power of plugins - Truly extending the wordpress
http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/
2. Get acquainted with a few useful plugins
Assignment for week4
Use plugins to extend your site.
Week5
Use of customfield +@
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/05/13/10-custom-fields-hacks-for-wordpress/
Assignment for week5
More development on your site. Prepare the final presentation.
Week6
Questions +@
How to back up wordpress site
Assignment for week6
Presentation