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Your Favorite Tree

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Your Favorite Tree

Do you have a favorite tree, or a favorite species of tree? If so, what and why? How has it played a role in your life?

If you don’t have an answer, go for a walk in your neighborhood and choose one that catches your eye for any reason.

A program in Melbourne, Australia tracks every public tree — and even gives each an email address — as a way to manage climate change. But citizens there have used the email addresses to write thousands of “love letters” to these trees.

If you were to write a letter to your favorite tree, what would you say?

Tell us in the comments, then read the related article to learn more.

Want more Picture Prompts? Find them all in this column.

Students 13 and older in the United States and Britain, and 16 and older elsewhere, are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public.

Word of the Day: implore

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Word of the Day: implore

The word implore has appeared in 27 articles on NYTimes.com in the past year, including on May 7 in “Doing ‘The Washing Machine’ With My 84-Year-Old Mother” by Erika Shimahara:

Before coronavirus, she and I took walks every weekend to a coffee shop or to Lafayette Park, where dogs played and locals practiced tai chi against the backdrop of San Francisco Bay. But it had been a year since my parents’ assisted living facility went on lockdown, meaning it had been a year since she and I had seen each other in person.

For the first months, I would call many times a day to check in. “Ma, are you OK?” “Are you washing your hands?” I would implore her to keep her mind and body active: “If you don’t keep moving, you will become a vegetable!” “Watch the news!”

Can you correctly use the word implore in a sentence?

Based on the definition and example provided, write a sentence using today’s Word of the Day and share it as a comment on this article. It is most important that your sentence makes sense and demonstrates that you understand the word’s definition, but we also encourage you to be creative and have fun.

Then, read some of the other sentences students have submitted and use the “Recommend” button to vote for two original sentences that stand out to you.

If you want a better idea of how implore can be used in a sentence, read these usage examples on Vocabulary.com.

If you enjoy this daily challenge, try one of our monthly vocabulary challenges.

Students ages 13 and older in the United States and the United Kingdom, and 16 and older elsewhere, can comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff.

Weekly News Quiz for Students: Academy Awards, National Park Birthday, Teenage Slang

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Weekly News Quiz for Students: Academy Awards, National Park Birthday, Teenage Slang

Last week, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson spent two days answering senators’ questions about her Supreme Court nomination. Yet, according to a News Analysis, the aggressively hostile interrogation of Judge Jackson marred what could have been not only a reset for the Senate, but a significant national moment in seeing the first ascend to the pinnacle of American jurisprudence with strong support.

What Would You Like to Ask Your 40-Year-Old Self?

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What Would You Like to Ask Your 40-Year-Old Self?

If you could go decades ahead in time and ask your 40-year-old self some questions, what would you ask? Why? Be as specific as you can. What questions would you have about how your life turned out? About the lives of loved ones? About local, national and world events? Inventions? Arts and culture?

We pose this question because The New York Times recently asked it of a focus group of teenagers. For a series called America in Focus, the Times Opinion section has been interviewing different groups to “hear and understand the views of wider cross-sections of Americans.” Members of the Opinion team have talked to independent voters about how they feel about President Biden, and they have asked economically insecure Americans “what keeps them up at night.” The most recent piece in the series is “12 Teenagers on What Adults Don’t Get About Their Lives.”

Here is how the piece is introduced; it gives an idea of why we focused on this question:

The 12 teenagers were tentative at first, silent after a focus group moderator asked how they felt about high school today. Charlotte, a 17-year-old from Pennsylvania, broke the ice after eight seconds: “I would say stressed.” Others followed along similar lines, though a few also said “normal” and “safe” — not the words that usually jump to mind about school, but this is Covid-era, post-virtual-learning school we’re talking about.

What quickly became clear in our latest Times Opinion focus group, and what may have accounted for some tentativeness, is that several of the teenagers felt worried about being “judged” about what they said. No matter if the answer was their opinion — some were worried about saying the “wrong” thing. “If you’re not super educated on a topic, it’s scary to put your opinion out there, because you don’t want to be wrong,” Charlotte said at another point in the focus group.

Many of the teenagers felt most comfortable when they were with friends or family, but 10 of the 12 also described being “addicted” to social media and meeting people and exploring the world online. They talked about having difficult conversations in class, and they clearly yearned to be able to have open discussions where everyone could share their opinions and not get pounced on for being “wrong” in the eyes of some.

What surprised us the most were the teenagers’ answers to what concerns them about the future and what they would ask their 40-year-old self if they had the chance. No spoilers here — but it may not be what you think.

You can read the whole transcript or listen to the full conversation, but here is the relevant section in which Margie Omero, the focus group leader, poses the question we are asking you:

Margie Omero: One last question. Let’s say you were having a conversation with your 30-year-old self or your 40-year-old self. What would you want to know? What would you ask your 40-year-old self?

Jackie (white, 16 years old, from New Jersey): I would probably ask how my mental health is doing and if it’s gotten better, if it’s worse.

Charlotte (white, 17 years old, from Pennsylvania): The mental health thing. And I’d be curious as to what I was doing, because now I’m not super sure.

Thomas (Black, 16, from Missouri): I’d probably ask myself how my family is doing, because they’re really important to me.

Eva (white, 16, from Pennsylvania): I’d probably ask what I’m doing with my life, career-wise, and how my family is, too.

America (Latino, 17, from California): I would honestly ask if I had a steady income, if I was making good money, and probably if I was just genuinely happy with the life I’ve created.

Paden (white, 16, from Georgia): Yeah, I would just ask myself, how well did I turn out? And also, for me, the biggest thing is, are my parents still around? Because especially right now, in your younger life, they’re a big part of the decisions you make. And I feel like when they’re not around, it could be a lot more difficult.

Emmanuel (Black, 15, from Illinois): My career, and then my kids.

Owen (white, 14, from Connecticut): I’d ask how my family is and if I’m successful — what I have to do to be that successful.

Milan (Black, 17, from Arizona): I would just see what I’m doing, the people around me, my occupation, stuff like that.

Nicholas (white, 16, from South Carolina): I would ask what my family is doing, and how democracy and how the world are going.

Gabby (white, 16, from Indiana): I would probably want to know if I was happy and healthy, and if my parents were OK.

Students, read the entire article or listen to the transcript, then tell us:

  • Do you relate to any of the teens’ answers? Did any of them surprise you?

  • How would you answer the question? These teenagers had time for only a sentence each, but you have more room. What are all the things you’d want to know? Why?

  • What do you hope your life will be like at 40? Why?

  • Are there questions about the future you would not want answered? What and why?

  • Would you have enjoyed being part of a Times focus group like this? Why or why not?

Want more writing prompts? You can find all of our questions in our Student Opinion column. Teachers, check out this guide to learn how you can incorporate them into your classroom.

Students 13 and older in the United States and Britain, and 16 and older elsewhere, are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public.

Reading Poetry With the Poem Column

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Reading Poetry With the Poem Column

Featured Column: Poem

In this edition of our series on learning with New York Times columns, we’re inviting you to read and emulate The New York Times Magazine’s Poem column. Every week, the magazine publishes a new poem, which is chosen and introduced by a poet-editor, like Victoria Chang, Reginald Dwayne Betts or Naomi Shihab Nye.

In this lesson, you’ll read a poem from the column and see how the editors make their choices, as well as how they analyze and make connections to each poem. Then, you’ll choose your own poem to read and write a paragraph explaining what it means to you.

Curriculum Connections

  • This lesson is a natural fit for the English classroom, but it can work for other subjects, too. For instance, staff on the National desk at The New York Times often begin their morning meetings by reading a poem, since, as one photo editor on that desk remarks, “The magic of poetry is that it jolts your mind into thinking about a subject or theme in an unexpected way.” Choose a theme, concept, figure or event that connects to your curriculum and challenge students to find poems that relate to it somehow. In their explanations, students can say what the poems mean to them, and how the poems make them look at the topic in a new way.

  • You can take this activity further by inviting one student to bring in a poem each day and starting class by reading it.

Take a few moments to journal about the role that poetry plays in your life:

  • Do you read or write poetry? What does it bring to your life?

  • Do you have a favorite poem that you return to over and over again? What is it, and what do you appreciate about it?

  • Has poetry ever inspired you or changed your view of the world? Has it helped you through difficult times? If not, are there other forms of creative expression that have done that for you?

Choose one entry from the Poem column to read. Read the poem itself, but don’t read the Times editor’s note yet. Here are nine to get you started:

Small Kindnesses by Danusha Laméris

Wednesday Poem by Joel Dias-Porter

We Lived Happily During the War by Ilya Kaminsky

The Hedgehog by Lola Haskins

Fiction Versus Nonfiction by Lois Beardslee

Letter to a Bridge Made of Rope by Matthew Olzmann

the listening by Ed Roberson

She Ties My Bow Tie by Gabrielle Calvocoressi

[If you want to make it to the moon] by Dan Chiasson

If none of these interests you, you can find many more here.

Once you have chosen a poem, read it on your own several times, silently and aloud, and annotate it. You can use these prompts to guide your annotations — or ignore them and simply write about what comes up for you as you experience the piece.

  • What do you notice about the poem? For instance, which words, lines or images stand out? What interesting sounds do you notice when you read the poem aloud? What patterns do you see? What can you observe about the structure of the poem?

  • What do you wonder about this poem? For instance, which lines or images confuse you? Which words do you not know? What references does the author make that are unfamiliar to you? What questions do you have about the poem?

  • How does this poem connect to you personally? For instance, what thoughts, feelings or memories come up as you read? How does this poem relate to your life or the world around you? What does this poem — or individual lines or images from it — mean to you?

  • Now that you’ve thought about the poem for awhile, how would you answer the question, What’s going on in this poem?

Next, read the editor’s note, and then read the poem again. Respond to the following questions:

1. The editor offers a brief reading of the poem in a short paragraph. Spend a few minutes with that note. What images, themes, words or lines did the editor identify? What words or lines stood out for him or her? What personal connections did the editor make? What analyses, if any, did the editor offer? Why did he or she choose it?

2. How did your reading compare to the editor’s? Did the note make you see the poem differently? How might your different identities, backgrounds or experiences have shaped each of your readings of the poem?

3. What is the value of publishing poetry in a news source like The New York Times? What can we learn from the poem you read? Would you like the job of poetry editor for The New York Times Magazine? Why or why not?

Now, it’s your turn. Find a poem that resonates with you for any reason and read it. You can use the prompts above to guide your reading.

Then, like the Times poetry editors, write a paragraph explaining why you chose this poem and what it means to you. As the editors do, you might include some of the following:

  • Background on the poet or poem.

  • Your own interpretation of the poem and what it means to you.

  • A personal connection or a connection to the wider world.

  • Lines or words that spoke to you.

  • A lesson, theme or insight from the poem.

  • A simple drawing to complement the poem.

And, like the editors of the Poem column, feel free to write in your own voice so that readers can feel your personality coming off the page.

Want more Lessons of the Day? You can find them all here.

Lifelong Learner Jaina Bellanca Is Earning Her Degree Online So She Can Launch Her New Career

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Lifelong Learner Jaina Bellanca Is Earning Her Degree Online So She Can Launch Her New Career

Jaina Bellanca describes herself as a self-driven person. She likes to “set ambitious goals and achieve them,” and it’s this mindset that drives her to keep acquiring new skills and knowledge. She’s long been an active learner, earning an associate’s degree in 2014 and taking courses on Coursera in her free time in more recent years. “Lifelong learning has been my goal from the beginning.”

When Jaina decided to pursue a career as a strategic project manager, she knew she’d need to acquire some new skills. As a lifelong learner, that wasn’t a challenge—but price and timing were. Earning a bachelor’s degree made sense for her career plans, but finding a program she could both afford and fit into her busy schedule wasn’t proving easy.

She turned to Coursera and discovered the Bachelor of Applied Arts Sciences (B.A.A.S.) program offered by The University of North Texas (UNT). It was just what she needed.  “The fact that it was online helped me, and they validated all of my previous classes, which was great, because I had taken a lot.” 

Jaina is now pursuing her degree and learning the essential business skills necessary for success in her newly chosen field. She’s already thinking ahead about her career path, as well as her learning journey. “I have expanded my business skill set and am looking forward to my first strategic project management internship,” she says, “but I also want to pursue higher education through a master’s or a doctoral program.”

Even as she’s closely focused on her project management career goals, she’s still finding time to explore other topics as well, and she’s enjoying being able to include non-business courses in her studies. “I love my history and politics classes,” says Jaina. “They really expose you to different things. It is a great opportunity to expand my knowledge. This program is a perfect match for me.”

The Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (B.A.A.S.) degree accepts and builds on student’s past credits, combining them with coursework in eight distinct concentrations so students can meet their individual and career goals.

Having A Side Hustle For Extra Income

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Having A Side Hustle For Extra Income

Let’s be honest: the last few years have been difficult for all of us. Many of us are struggling to make ends meet or are locked in unpleasant occupations as a result of the pandemic. The good news is that we are here to assist you! Having a side hustle for extra income that you can do in addition to your regular day job that is your main source of income. It will not only increase your wages, but it will also help you to consider alternative career paths and maybe discover your real calling. We’ve prepared a list of Side Hustle suggestions to get you started and the courses you’ll need to get started! Take the risk and start a side hustle you’ll love right now!

 

 

Copywriter

With the growth of social media and working remotely, Copywriters are in high demand across all sectors. Copywriters produce engaging copy that promotes ideas, products, and services to assist companies in achieving their objectives. A copywriter is a creative mind behind creating promotional and informational pieces for various digital platforms. This work may be done from home, on the road, or in an office, making it the ideal Side Hustle. Take it from this writer: I started copywriting as a side hustle, and look where I am now!

Social Media Manager

The social media presence of an organisation is more important than you would believe. Companies engage with their users using social media. As marketers worldwide rely more on social media to reach their target audiences, the need for Social Media Managers, who are at the core of creativity and innovative solutions, is increasing. And what does a successful social media strategy require? An excellent Social Media Manager!

Graphic Designer

With the right skills, graphic design can become a lucrative way to earn extra cash. Graphic Designers create the visual language that we see all around us, from book covers to bathroom signs, to emails and everything in between. Design is the visualisation of ideas to inspire, educate, and fascinate customers. Graphic designers create the layout and production design for commercials, product packaging, computer games, periodicals, and corporate reports using a combination of art, science, narrative, marketing, and philosophy.

With the right skills, graphic design can become a lucrative way to earn extra cash.

Computer Programmer

In keeping with the online trend, many professionals are opting to work as freelance computer programmers. Coding and programming are employed in practically every aspect of daily life, from food to household appliances, transportation to healthcare and entertainment. Their function will expand as technology advances. The most incredible thing about this career is that it does not require a university degree to succeed!

 

 

English Teacher

If you already have a strong command of the English language, why not share your knowledge? Students should be met where they are. Then assist them in moving forward. English teachers seek to establish a welcoming learning atmosphere where students may achieve academic goals while cultivating a lifetime love of the language.

There will always be a demand for English Teachers, from offering online courses to private tuition.

Distance Learning Instructor

Another occupation that is becoming more popular as a result of technology advancements. Distance Learning Instructors work from the comfort of their own homes to instruct students. The Internet has changed how we connect, access, and exchange information across geographical regions and time zones. In today’s society, when participation and cooperation give endless learning chances to everybody, Distance Learning Instructors are brand ambassadors of cyber-education. Use your existing abilities to teach others all across the world.

Administrative Assistant

Did you guys know that the need for virtual Administrative Assistants is increasing? Administrative Assistants are often the unsung heroes of a business organisation. They are the glue that holds the team together,  critical to the smooth operation of the business—the organisation’s brains with access to and knowledge of every aspect of the company. You might easily obtain side work as an Assistant for a corporation or individual on the other side of the planet if you have the proper skills and expertise!

Grow your skills (and wallet) with a side hustle. Who knows, you may even discover a whole new career path that you never knew you would enjoy and turn your side hustle into your main hustle. 

 

Looking After Your Mental Health At Work

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Looking After Your Mental Health At Work

We all need a little help sometimes. It might surprise you that nearly one in seven people worldwide suffer from mental health issues. With the advent of COVID-19 and remote working, and the strain placed on people returning to work after isolation and loss, looking after one’s mental health in the workplace is more important than ever before. Being the best you can be in the workplace starts with one simple step. 

 

 

 

 

According to this study by the CDC in America, mental health does not only affect our minds and moods in the workplace. Poor mental wellbeing also has physical effects. The most significant and detrimental consequences of not looking after your mental state at work are: 

  • Low productivity and performance
  • Not being able to focus on tasks 
  • Lack of communication with colleagues 
  • Not being able to function physically

Welliba & Alison 

Alison has partnered with Welliba, a digital platform committed to understanding and improving mental wellbeing in the workplace through psychometric testing. They believe that addressing the core issues of poor mental health at a company can improve employees’ physical, psychological and emotional wellbeing. Making these changes leads to a positive, productive and overall better environment.

In collaboration with Welliba, we’ve designed the Mental Health & Wellbeing Check-up, a free psychometric test that allows you to measure your emotional and physical wellbeing at work. Using the latest technology, you will be able to analyse and identify your strengths and the areas you need to work on. 

The first step to starting your mental health journey is having all of the information to hand. Our wellbeing test will take the guesswork out of how to get started caring for your wellbeing with a short assessment.

A Look at How Welliba and Alison Can Help You

Looking after your mental health at work is a pretty broad topic. 

We caught up with Lena, one of Welliba’s product experts to talk about the importance of mental health at work and how our Mental Health & Wellbeing Check-up can improve your work-life. 

 

Why is it important for employees to look after their mental health? 

On the preventative side, looking after their mental health prevents them from developing mental illness. Often, the first symptoms of mental illness appear years before the actual diagnosis, so they often go unnoticed. Therefore, detecting an emerging mental illness early on is highly desirable before becoming chronic.

Mental health is a goal: It feels good to be mentally healthy! There are more positive emotions and more enjoyment in your activities, both at work and in your personal life.

On the growth side, we know that mental health is connected to many positive and desirable outcomes: better physical health (mental and physical health are closely related), better relationships, more success in one’s career, better resilience in times of adversity and higher levels of creativity.

Should businesses invest in their workforces’ mental wellbeing? 

Absolutely. 61% of employees feel that their mental health negatively impacts their performance, and 81% of employees believe that businesses should enable a superior employee experience.

Employee wellbeing does/should not only address how a person is feeling and whether they are generally happy, but also whether they have the personal resources to realise their full potential and achieve their personal and professional goals. In return, wellbeing impacts sick leave, performance, productivity, engagement, learning agility etc.

 

How can businesses look after their employees’ mental health?

Businesses should empower employees to understand wellbeing, reflect on their wellbeing, and provide actionable and on-demand insights to plan their journey.

They can do this by providing the workforce with the tools to get self-insight – most employees have limited self-insight – and by understanding which interventions are needed on a company level, and offer these specific interventions (instead of just some kind of intervention, not knowing whether it addresses any needs present in the workforce).

This enables employees to take control and, at the same time, provides them with guidance, support and resources to act on their personal needs.

 

 

How does the Mental Health & Wellness Checkup Work?

The user answers questions on the different aspects of wellbeing and gets personalised feedback. This feedback provides a snapshot of the current wellbeing status of a person – the perfect start to kick off a wellbeing journey, getting hints and pointers on what aspects would have the most significant impact on the overall wellbeing of a person.

It is a tool for self-reflection that provides reliable, science-backed insights into the concept of wellbeing, explaining the relevant aspects of personal and work wellbeing. It also offers actionable insights and tips on where and how to start an individual wellbeing journey.

What is workplace psychometric testing?

It means assessing various characteristics of employees working in an organisation. This can, for example, be personality, cognitive ability (intelligence), motivation or wellbeing. The goal is to determine who would be the best fit for a particular job within the organisation for both external recruitment and internal promotion. For this, we usually measure cognitive ability and personality. Another goal is to determine which interventions would be appropriate for which employee. For example, who needs which kind of training, workshop, coaching, etc. We can look at ability, personality, motivation and wellbeing.

Good quality psychometric tests are developed on a sound scientific basis and evaluated according to predefined quality criteria.

How does Welliba use psychometric testing to determine a person’s mental wellbeing? 

We have a science-based model of wellbeing and developed a questionnaire assessing the aspects of this model. The wellbeing model looks at to what extent the person feels happy and good, but also at factors like meaning and purpose in life or quality of relationships.

The person answers questions on mood, sense of meaning, purpose or relationship quality. Based on this, we can provide the person with feedback on where they are on the different aspects of wellbeing and their overall wellbeing. Additionally, ideas on maintaining an already high level of wellbeing and improving areas that are not quite as strong yet are presented. 

In what ways can employees improve their mental health at work?

Many internal factors impact wellbeing at work. How a person approaches situations and tasks, generates opportunities, utilises strengths, activates personal resources, deals with setbacks etc., are fundamental for wellbeing. The more a person is aware of their preferences, behavioural tendencies, motives, and abilities, the better they can address situations, shape their learning and development, and ultimately improve their wellbeing at work and in life.

The Alison Mental Health & Wellness Test 

Alison is committed not just to free learning but to making sure our Learners make the most of their studies and futures. Offering this free check-up is one of the ways we help people grow and make the most of their potential. 

The test allows you to discover what factors, mental, emotional and physical, contribute to your mental state and will show you how those factors influence your well being in the workplace and showing you what constitutes mental wellbeing as a whole. 

We all have our own areas we need to work on. The check-up, insights, and recommendations will be tailored specifically to your needs. You will be able to choose how to work on the results. You may choose to focus on specific areas first or take it step by step from the beginning. It’s your journey, after all. Once you’re done, you will have everything you need to make the right decisions for your mental health and thrive at work. 

What are you waiting for? Take the test now!

Conclusion

Deciding to take care of your mind will improve your decision-making and organisation and help you deal with the daily pressures and stresses you face at work. You will feel better during the day, get more done, and generally be awesome.

So, take the test and start making the best of your workday every day. If you like our new wellness tool, we’d love for you to share it with your nearest and dearest, who can also enjoy the benefits. 

 

6 Common Mistakes To Avoid While Building a Website

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6 Common Mistakes To Avoid While Building a Website

After getting a handle on the “holy trinity” of web dev languages — HTML, CSS, and JavaScript — you might feel inclined to jump right into building websites. But if you aren’t careful, you could overlook some key considerations that’ll affect your site’s functionality and user experience. Needless to say, a lot of work goes into web development, whether you’re looking to market your skills, sell a product, or share the next viral game.

To help ensure you’re covering your bases, we’ve put together a checklist of mistakes people often make when building websites. Ahead, Codecademy Domain Manager Kenny Lin shares some common developer pitfalls and how to avoid them.

1. Coding without a plan

Before you start writing code for your website, you need a plan: “Why do you need this website?” Kenny says. “What’s its purpose?” Figuring out what you’re hoping to achieve upfront will save you from spending time building a website that isn’t actually focused on a particular goal.

For example, say you’re looking to build a website to promote a side gig or hobby, like photography or a personal blog. In that case, using a more low-code solution like Wix might be more efficient than building a website from scratch, Kenny says. (You can check out our Create a Professional Website with Velo by Wix course to learn how.)

Or maybe you’re building a website to include in your technical portfolio. Reading job postings related to your desired role will give you a sense of which languages and frameworks you should focus on. Plus, exploring the company’s website might give you some inspiration for features and functionalities you want to include in your own. You could also find developers with similar career paths on social media and explore their projects for more ideas.

Once you’ve identified your site’s purpose, Kenny suggests writing your plans out on paper. Create a wireframe that illustrates your site’s layout, including where your text, images, and components will go. Your goal in this stage is to figure out your MVP (Minimum Viable Product), which is essentially a version of your product that can be achieved with much less effort than the ideal state you have in mind. The idea is that it’s polished enough to achieve your goals and can be fine-tuned later.

“After setting that goal, you can iterate upon it and build other features after the fact instead of trying to build Rome in a day,” Kenny says. “Even final products need iterations and other corrections — it’s a continuous process.”

2. Leaving vulnerabilities open

Anyone with a website needs to think about privacy and security. Last year, there were 1,862 data compromises in the U.S. — up 68% from the year before, according to the Identity Theft Research Center. As a result, privacy and security are a growing concern in web dev, so you’ll need to ensure your users’ data are in good hands.

To start, Kenny recommends utilizing HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure). This internet communication protocol encrypts data sent between servers and browsers and helps ward off man-in-the-middle cyber attacks.

Next, you’ll also want to make sure all your code (including your widgets and plugins) is up to date. Developers occasionally find vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit to gain access to systems and sensitive information. (Remember the log4j crisis last year? Developers found a vulnerability in the popular Java library that put countless systems and devices at risk — including those used by top companies like Google, IBM, and Microsoft.)

When discovered, these vulnerabilities are quickly resolved with updates. That’s why keeping your code current helps prevent potential security risks before they happen.

Kenny also notes that some web hosting providers offer security measures, like Cloudflare, which prevents suspicious IP addresses from accessing your site. If you want to dive deeper, try our Fundamentals of Cybersecurity skill path to learn more about cyber attacks and how to prevent them.

3. Missing accessibility features

Accessibility features and practices are a must because they help provide an equal experience for all users, Kenny says.

How well does your site accommodate users with sensory, mobility, or cognitive impairments? Can your HTML be read by screen readers? Does your video content include captions? What about your icons — are they crammed together or spaced far enough apart?

Implementing accessibility features helps broaden your potential user base — plus, it’s the right thing to do. It’s also legally mandated (in the U.S.), thanks to the Americans With Disabilities Act.

Check out the accessibility module in our Learn Intermediate CSS course to learn more.

4. Overlooking user data

If you aren’t using data analytics tools, you should probably start.

User data holds a treasure trove of valuable information that can help you find problem areas and potential improvements to your site. Kenny points to tools like HotJar (which offers free and paid packages) that can give you insights into how people use your site, like where their cursors tend to go, what they click on, and how long they spend on certain pages.

“Using that info can be really helpful,” Kenny explains. “If something is really popular, you might want to spruce it up with extra resources.” Seeing how real people use your website can also help you uncover bugs that you missed while you were coding it.

Moral of the story? Data analytics can give you more insight into your users. Tools like Google Analytics can provide insights into your user demographics. With this info, you can better cater to your current audience — or even switch up your site to appeal to other demographics.

5. Forgetting about mobile performance

Studies show that 54% of all web traffic comes from mobile devices, so if your website isn’t responsive on a phone, tablet, or e-reader, you’re setting up a huge chunk of users for a wonky experience.

Each of these devices has different sizes and dimensions, so your site needs to be able to adjust to the environment and provide a consistent experience.

“Imagine trying to read a size 12 font on your phone — it would be terrible,” Kenny says. “And it would lead to a poor user experience and retention rate.”

But it’s not just fonts and styles. You’ll also want to ensure your website’s functionality remains consistent across devices. For example, you can’t hover a cursor on mobile devices, so how will that affect a user’s experience? Plus, mobile functionality plays a big role in SEO (Search Engine Optimization), so adding responsiveness to your website can help you rank better in search engines and generate more traffic (if that’s your goal).

6. Lagging load times

A website that takes forever to load isn’t just annoying, it also deters people from sticking around. In fact, Google found that 90% of users will leave a page after only 5 seconds — and who can blame them? Speedy load times are basically the norm these days.

So what do you do?

First, check your website’s loading speed using tools like Sitechecker or GTmetrix. If the load time is too high, there are a couple steps you can take to help bring it down — for example, utilizing caching, optimizing images on your site, and trimming down your code to remove any unnecessary bits (the same goes for your plugins).

Kenny also recommends using CDNs (Content Delivery Networks). CDNs help reduce loading speeds by storing your web assets in servers around the world. That allows your users to access them faster, and they also help defend your website from DDoS attacks.

Speeding up your website will also make it more discoverable, because search engines prioritize websites that provide a good user experience and have low bounce rates.

Want to learn more about how to build a useful and impressive website? Learn Intermediate CSS dives deeper into accessibility, responsive design, and browser compatibility, and our Introduction to Cybersecurity covers the basics of cryptography, authentication, and network security. And, if you want to learn how to build a website from scratch, check out our courses on web development.

Web Development Courses & Tutorials | Codecademy

Web Development is the practice of developing websites and web apps that live on the internet. Whether you’re interested in front-end, back-end, or going full-stack, the content in our Web Development domain will help you get there.

Should I Learn C++?

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Should I Learn C++?

It doesn’t matter if you want to learn your first programming language or your fifth, mastering a new language takes time and energy, and you’ll want that investment to be worth your while.

Before you dive into learning a new language you might be wondering what you’ll be able to build once you master the language, or if it’ll still be in use 10 years from now. (Yes, even programming languages retire.) If you’re trying to figure out the answers to these questions as they relate to learning C++, here’s a look at several factors that could influence your decision.

What is C++ used for?

One of the benefits of C++ is that it has a wide variety of applications. In fact, Bjarne Stroustrup, the creator of the language, put together a long list of C++ applications. But most often, C++ is used to build large software infrastructure and applications that can run even with few resources. The efficiency of the C++ code makes it perfect as a base for applications and software.

C++ is also used for several pure computing functions, including operating systems, database tools, web browsers, and search engines. For instance, Lyall Stewart, a member of the Codecademy community, views C++ as the best language for operating system development. C++ is also used for technological advances that build on what computing can do, such as internet of things (IoT) devices, machine learning tools, and augmented reality or virtual reality applications.

Here are some other fields C++ is used in:

  • Gaming: For programming video and computer games, C++ optimizes resources to produce graphics and host multiple players in a game at once.
  • Medicine: C++ powers MRI machines, lab testing equipment, patient information systems, and bioinformatics research.
  • Scientific research: C++ is applied in a variety of scientific fields, including physics and space exploration.
  • Finance: C++ is used to code software for banking, trading, and financial modeling. Its efficient performance is well-suited to handle high volumes of financial transactions.
  • Aviation: C++ programming powers both commercial and military aircraft flight software.
  • Telecommunications: This field requires speed and efficiency in communication resources, which C++ provides for both telephone and internet communication systems.
  • Movie industry: As in gaming, C++ makes graphics and special effects possible by handling large footage files and performing the calculations needed for special effects.

Does C++ have a good future?

You might be thinking that since C++ has been around for decades, its popularity is likely to decline. But since many of the popular long-standing operating systems and web browsers are built with C++, it’s unlikely to fade away any time soon. For example, Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, Linux, Chrome, and Safari are built with C++. Also, since C++ is a fast programming language, many libraries — particularly machine learning libraries like TensorFlow — depend on it.

Simon Brand, a C++ developer advocate at Microsoft, also predicted C++ will continue to grow when he spoke to Codecademy in 2019. “[C++] will continue to develop in the embedded space, which has pretty much been owned by C for the longest time,” he said, referring to the programming used in devices other than conventional computers.

Brand then went on to say that as young developers consider which languages to use, especially for embedded programming, he expects more to continue choosing C++. Brand pointed to the financial industry and gaming as sectors where C++ will continue to have a strong presence.

Employment and salaries for C++ professionals

If you’re new to the development world, you might be factoring in potential employment opportunities, as well as potential salary ranges, before you decide which programming language to dive into. The good news is that job growth for C++ coders has remained stable at 8% per year. That means that, even though the growing rate isn’t particularly high, the amount of job opportunities for C++ devs is on the rise each year — which is a good thing when you’re picking a new language to learn.

As for salary expectations, Indeed says the average annual salary for C++ developers is $114,486. But for entry-level C++ developers, the average annual base salary is $66,564, according to Payscale. And as with other professions, the more experience you have as a C++ developer, the higher your potential salary is likely to be.

Time in the field isn’t the only factor that impacts salary. If you have knowledge or expertise in a related area to complement your C++ knowledge, this can increase your earning potential, as well as your job opportunities. For example, if you have knowledge of databases, operating systems, internet protocols, software development, or algorithms, adding C++ to your skill set could bump you into a higher salary bracket and open up new job opportunities.

How do I learn C++?

Wondering where to start learning C++? You can start with the fundamental programming concepts in our Learn C++ course. The course also digs into more advanced areas, like functions and coding challenges. By the end, you’ll have the opportunity to build C++ programs geared toward fields other than computing and systems operations, like gaming and communications.

If you’re ready for an intermediate-level course, our C++ for Programmers course is for programmers who are already familiar with coding and looking to dive into the C++ language. The course features short, interactive articles that can serve as an ongoing reference resource. It teaches the built-in data structures of C++ and object-oriented programming.

We also have guidance on how to compile and execute C++ programs, cheat sheets for beginners, and projects that aspiring programmers can work on to get hands-on experience using C++.

C++ Courses & Tutorials | Codecademy

C++ is a very popular language for performance-critical applications that rely on speed and efficient memory management. It’s used in a wide range of industries including software and game development, VR, robotics, and scientific computing.

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