How often do you hear curse words in the hallways at school? Hear them on TV and in movies? Read them in books or articles? Encounter them in music or on social media?
In your opinion, is there too much swearing today? Or is it simply part of the way we speak now?
Cursing is coursing through society. Words once too blue to publicly utter have become increasingly commonplace. “Language is just part of the whole shift to a more casual lifestyle,” said Timothy Jay, a professor emeritus of psychology at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams, Mass.
Dr. Jay has spent a career studying the use of profanity, from what motivates it to the ways in which it satisfies, signals meaning and offends. Although officially retired, he has continued to edit studies on profanity and he recently offered an expert opinion in an ongoing legal dispute in Michigan over whether the phrase “Let’s go Brandon” (a euphemism used to denigrate former President Joseph R. Biden Jr.) should be reasonably interpreted as “profane.” (It should not, Dr. Jay opined.)
Dr. Jay posits that the increasingly casual nature of the spoken word derives in part from the way people communicate on social media. One study, published in 2014 by other researchers in the field, found that curse words on Twitter, now known as X, appeared in 7.7 percent of posts, with profanity representing about 1 in every 10 words on the platform. That compared to a swearing rate of 0.5 to 0.7 percent in spoken language, the study found.
If that data troubles you, Dr. Jay has some thoughts on how to dial back the profanity.
Students, read the entire article and then tell us:
Are you noticing more — and perhaps stronger — foul language in places you didn’t used to see or hear it, as the article suggests? What is your reaction to this surge in obscenities?
Do you curse? If so, when and for what reasons do you do it? If not, why do you avoid it?
What is something you learned about swearing from Dr. Jay? Was there anything about its history, the reasons we use it or how we can change our habits around it that surprised you?
Can cursing become an issue? When do you believe it crosses a line, from being a harmless way to express oneself or blow off steam to being obnoxious, offensive or even dangerous?
Dr. Jay gives his theories for why he thinks cursing is increasing. What do you think might be driving our society’s more casual use of profanity? Is this a problem in your opinion? Why or why not?
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 and may appear in print.
What do you think this illustration is communicating? How does it relate to or comment on society or current events? Can you relate to it personally? What is your opinion of its message?
Tell us in the comments, and then read the related essay to learn more.
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 and may appear in print.
I spoke with more than two dozen people across the industry for this article and discovered that while there’s no shortage of A.I. optimists in the movie industry, they’re often reluctant to share that sentiment out loud for fear of seeming to side with the machines, or appearing too sanguine about a technology that everyone agrees will cost some people their jobs. There were also a couple of occasions when an eager early adopter scheduled an interview, only to cancel at the last minute at the behest of skittish corporate overseers.
Daily Word Challenge
Can you correctly use the word behest 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.
If you want a better idea of how behest can be used in a sentence, read these usage examples on Vocabulary.com. You can also visit this guide to learn how to use IPA symbols to show how different words are pronounced.
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.
Do people jaywalk — or cross against a traffic signal or outside a crosswalk — where you live? Do you?
In many places in the United States, that’s illegal. Should it be?
New York City last year decriminalized jaywalking — a law that was not evenly enforced — after 70 years of warning New Yorkers to “Cross at the green, not in between.” Now residents can cross the street wherever they please without getting a fine. But some fear the new law could lead to more pedestrian deaths.
What do you think about this move? Should other places follow New York’s lead? Should your city? Why or why not? How do you safely cross the street — whether at a crosswalk or not?
Make your case in the comments, and then read the related article to learn more.
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 and may appear in print.
A best actor nominee for his portrayal of Bob Dylan in the biopic “A Complete Unknown,” Chalamet, 29, nonchalantly bobbed down the red carpet, hands behind his back, in his pastel outfit.
Daily Word Challenge
Can you correctly use the word nonchalantly 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.
If you want a better idea of how nonchalantly can be used in a sentence, read these usage examples on Vocabulary.com. You can also visit this guide to learn how to use IPA symbols to show how different words are pronounced.
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.
Wouldn’t it be fantastic to have a website that not only looks visually appealing and reflects your brand identity perfectly, but also actively contributes to your business success? Spring is the perfect time to give your website a much-needed refresh and perform a thorough check-up. With our website cleaning checklist, you will inspect the most important things. Think of it as a spring cleaning for your online home. Just like you declutter your physical space, it’s essential to declutter and optimize your digital presence.
Does my site need help? – Website Cleaning Checklist
If you are not sure if your website needs it, ask yourself the following questions:
Is your website working slowly?
Are the visitors leaving quickly or not visiting your site at all?
Does it no longer look like you want it to?
Does it look like a mess on mobile devices?
Were the updates and safe checks performed a long time ago or not at all?
If your answer was ‘YES‘ on at least one of those questions, it means that your website needs a refreshment or at least a larger check-up.
How can I make my site better?
So, your website needs a refresh? No problem! Let’s break it down.
First, we need to identify the issues. Some might be technical (hosting, website code, plugins), while others could be content-related (like those giant images you keep using!).
To get started, let’s review some common website problems. This will help you pinpoint what needs fixing and figure out the best way to tackle it.
Speed up your website
If your website’s loading slowly, it could be a drag on your visitors (and your SEO!). Let’s check if it’s:
Backend Issues: Is your dashboard (like WordPress) also slow?
Browser Specific: Does it load differently in Chrome, Firefox, etc.?
If it’s slow everywhere: It might be a hosting problem. Give your hosting provider a call – they can usually help.
If it’s slow on pages/posts: A recent plugin or script could be the troublemaker. Try disabling them one by one to find the offender.
Still slow after disabling plugins? Switch to the default theme to see if that helps. If not, contact your hosting again.
Not sure how to troubleshoot? No worries! We can do a one-time health check or even manage your site’s speed and health on an ongoing basis. Contact us!
Get new visitors
Getting new visitors and keeping them on your site isn’t rocket science, but it does take a bit of finesse. Here are a few things that can help:
SEO Savvy: Write your content with search engines in mind. This helps people find you when they’re looking for what you offer. Check our guide for quick SEO tips.
Stellar Presentation: Even the best content can get lost if it’s hard to read. Make sure your posts and overall design are clean, visually appealing, and easy on the eyes. Avoid tiny fonts and clashing colors – those can send visitors running!
We can help you with your website presentation to make your website a magnet for new visitors and a place they’ll want to stick around. Contact us for free consultations.
Update the look
Your website’s look is like your online personality. It should reflect who you are (and it’s okay to change it up as you evolve!). Even if your style stays the same, it’s a good idea to update your theme every few years. Just like fashion trends, website design trends change, and outdated code can cause problems.
Mobile-First is Key: In today’s world, your website must look great on phones. That’s why all our Blogger and WordPress templates are mobile-friendly by default – most people browse on their phones these days.
Ready for a Refresh? Check out our pre-made themes! You can get a whole new look for under $100 – that’s a steal! If you can’t find the perfect match, we can also create a custom design just for you. Learn more about our custom design services here.
Recently Added WordPress Themes:
Keep Your Website Safe & Sound!
Finally, let’s make sure your website is safe and running smoothly.
Keep ’em Updated: Regularly update your plugins to patch any security holes.
Stay Vigilant: Monitor your website for any suspicious activity.
Boost Your Defenses: Use plugins that help protect your site from hackers.
By taking these simple steps, you can keep your website secure and prevent any nasty surprises.
Need help with keeping your site safe and updated? Contact us! We can do it for you.
Website Cleaning Checklist results
I hope this quick Website Cleaning Checklist helps you identify and fix any issues you might be facing, such as slow loading speeds, outdated looks, and poor mobile responsiveness. By addressing these areas, you can improve your website’s user experience, enhance your search engine rankings, and ultimately boost your online presence. Let me know if you have any questions!
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared Covid-19 to be a global pandemic. Two days later the United States designated it a national emergency.
Five years ago, Covid took hold and the world transformed almost overnight. As routines and rituals evaporated, often replaced by grief, fear and isolation, many of us wondered: When will things go back to normal? Could they ever?
Today, for many, the coronavirus pandemic seems far away and foggy, while for others it’s as visceral as yesterday.
What are your thoughts and feelings on the fifth anniversary of the worst pandemic in a century?
What do you remember about the earliest days of the pandemic? When did it first hit home for you? What are your most lasting memories of this difficult period? How did Covid affect you, your family and your community? What lessons did you learn about yourself and the world?
In “How Covid Changed the Lives of These 29 Americans,” The Times asked people to share the many ways, big and small, the pandemic shaped and reshaped their lives. Here are some of their responses:
Miguel Guzman, 56, San Antonio He nearly died after getting Covid in late 2020.
The most important thing is being grateful to be alive, just being able to do the things that we love to do, to play mariachi music. Being in that dire situation, that’s the only thing that I wanted. I was thinking about my family — how they were going to manage if I didn’t live. But I’m still here.
Lynn Truong, 36, Las Vegas
My favorite thing I learned was how to love and appreciate my face with no makeup on. Pre-pandemic, I would put on makeup just to check the mail.
Paige Woodard, 21, Northampton, Mass.
It was the most drastic weight gain I had ever had in my life. And I think I didn’t notice it for a while, in part because I was living in, like, sweatpants and pajama pants, and I didn’t really have to go anywhere. And that weight has stayed on.
Charles Huang, 22, Rosemount, Minn. He has not gotten Covid and continues to mask.
The isolation I still feel is painful. When I’m in a crowded elevator or on a fully booked flight, I try to act calm, but my mind frantically fixates on the possibility of contracting Covid, and puzzles over why post-pandemic life never came for me the same way it came for what looks like nearly everyone else.
Talia Falkenberg, 22, Atlanta Her high school was still remote when she returned for her senior year in the fall of 2020.
There were a lot of firsts I was missing out on. My peers and I were so focused on our own futures, and it made us zoom out and focus on the big picture. I don’t sweat the small stuff anymore, and I don’t feel as angry. I give a little more grace, now, to the administrators who made that decision.
By Marni Baker Stein, Chief Content Officer, Coursera
Generative AI is the most sought-after skill on Coursera. However, to fully harness its potential and boost national competitiveness, it’s crucial that we invest in AI education for the public sector workforce.
The course instructors are experts in AI security and deployment and include Dr. Eric Schmidt, Former CEO and Chairman of Google; Andrew Ng, Coursera Co-Founder; Ylli Bajraktari, SCSP President; and retired U.S. Air Force. Lt Gen John (Jack) N.T. Shanahan, Inaugural Director, Department of Defense Joint AI Center (JAIC). The new four-module course aims to provide public sector agencies with the knowledge and skills they need to stay at the forefront of AI innovation, drive successful AI adoption in their daily work, and achieve their goals. This includes:
Introducing federal workers to the geopolitical context, making AI security and innovation a strategic imperative.
Providing federal workers with an overview of key AI tools, including ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, explaining their functionalities and prospective applications, including mail and document generation, data visualization, and writing assistance.
Empowering workers to deploy a comparative analysis of different AI tools and models, understanding their respective advantages and constraints according to criteria, including output accuracy, data security, quality, and model construction.
The Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP) is a non-partisan, non-profit initiative seeking to strengthen America’s long-term competitiveness as AI and other emerging technologies reshape the country’s security, economy, and society. We’re excited to see how public sector workers use this course to harness AI tools, improve their work, and drive new innovations.
Learn more about SCSP’s AI in National Security: Integrating Artificial Intelligence into Public Sector Mission course and enroll today.
Above is an image related to one of the news stories we followed recently. Do you know what it shows? At the bottom of this quiz, you’ll find the answer.
Have you been paying attention to current events recently? See how many of these 10 questions you can get right.
Whether you’re a freelance developer looking for clients, a junior developer looking for your first development job, or a senior-level developer with years of experience, having a software development portfolio is essential for showcasing your skills, experience, and expertise to potential employers or clients.
A well-curated portfolio serves as a tangible representation of your work, demonstrating not just your technical abilities but also your problem-solving approach and creativity. In a competitive field like software development, a portfolio can differentiate you from other candidates by highlighting your best projects, coding proficiency, and the quality of your work.
Let’s take a look at why you need a software developer portfolio, along with tips for how to build your collection of portfolio projects, where to host your portfolio, and more.
Do you need a software developer portfolio?
The short answer is: yes.
Every developer who has completed a few development projects should have a software developer portfolio. While a technical resume may be enough to start applying to some jobs, a portfolio will show that you can actually use all the skills listed in your resume.
Plus, resumes are usually only seen when you are looking for a job, while your portfolio can work for you all the time. You can share a link on your LinkedIn and social profiles like Twitter to let your contacts see what you can do. Through your portfolio, contacts can learn more about you, see your work — and it makes networking and introductions easy. Who knows? Maybe the best job will come when you aren’t even looking for it.
Of course, if you haven’t created any projects yet you won’t need to create a portfolio just yet. But the fact that you’re reading this article shows you’re in the right spot to start building a strong portfolio as you start creating your own professional-grade projects. If you’re learning with Codecademy, you’ll find Portfolio Projects built into our Career Paths, giving you the opportunity to start building out your portfolio as you go.
Learn something new for free
What should a software developer portfolio contain?
Your portfolio doesn’t need to be a complete website — it can just be a simple page. In fact, it should be. Recruiters and hiring managers are reviewing a lot of portfolios and have limited time to spend with yours. So if you are thinking of including a TL;DR section, it may contain too much information. However, here are some details you should include.
Information about you
We’ll start with what to include in your About section. This is the non-technical section of your portfolio. It’s where you’ll let visitors and recruiters know a little bit more about you, share some high level experience, and let people know how to contact you. Here are some things to include in this section.
Bio
You’ll want to describe aspects of your personality. Maybe describe why you got into programming. You can also include any hobbies or activities. There’s no need to go overboard, but this is where you can show your personality.
Contact information
This is the most important part. Make sure that people can contact you from your portfolio page. Include at least your email. Many recruiters like to contact candidates by phone, but having your phone number visible may result in unwanted calls, so that decision is up to you.
Relevant skills
You’ll want to list your technical skills. Don’t list everything — just those skills you are strong in and want to work with again. If you are currently looking for a job, update the skills section to fit the job you want. Want more to add to this section? Learn a new language or skill from our course catalog.
Related social media profiles
The obvious links to have here include your Github, Bitbucket, Gitlab, and LinkedIn profiles. There also might be other profiles you want to add. If you actively answer questions at Stack Overflow, Quora, or Reddit, you should add links to those profiles. Of course, you only want to add links to those if you have a good reputation and focus on technology topics.
Awards, contests, or other recognition
Add links to any articles or books that you have published. If you entered a coding contest and won, add it. If you captured a big bug bounty, add that too.
A link to your resume
Recruiters and HR always want a hard copy, so it is essential to include a link to your resume so they can print it out.
Your work: Project links and source code
What types of projects should you include in your portfolio? You can include a mix of professional projects and personal projects, depending on where you are in your professional journey.
Note: While screenshots or website links may suffice during the initial stages of the hiring process, you’ll also to “show your work” (i.e. your source code) to impress the technical people involved. Choose a free software repository like Github, Bitbucket, or Gitlab and add your source code. Make sure to add documentation to your projects to explain what they are as well as how to use them.
Professional projects
If you’re more experienced, you’ll likely have a variety of projects you worked on for others, whether a client, a job, or a programming course. Link to the projects so recruiters can see your work in action.
Make sure to include projects that utilize technologies that you’d like to work on again. Also include any relevant details about the project, like screenshots, who the project was for, and when you completed it. If the project is a live website, link to it.
Personal projects
If you’re new to programming and are looking for your first development job, you may not have related experience other than the projects you completed for a course. That’s ok! If your projects section is light, it’s ok to add personal projects to boost your portfolio.
Where should you host your developer portfolio?
The first thing you need to consider when you want to create your portfolio is where you will host it. Where you create your software developer portfolio depends on your current skills and your budget. There are plenty of free options.
If you are a back-end developer or full-stack developer, the best option is hosting your portfolio on your own domain. After all, setting up a server, building your own portfolio site, and deploying it are both back-end and full-stack skills. The site itself will be part of your portfolio. Front-end developers who know how to deploy a website should also use this method. When you host your own portfolio on your own domain, the portfolio itself serves as a portfolio project and example of your work!
Another option is using the free hosting available at Github, Bitbucket, or Gitlab. All of these sites provide free code repository hosting and the ability to create static websites that you can use to describe your code projects or for any use you choose. Using one for a software developer portfolio makes perfect sense.
You could also use Dribble, which is a site that hosts web designer portfolios.
How can you start to build your portfolio?
While you can always find a portfolio template online, creating one from scratch further demonstrates your technical (and creative) skills — which is a nice touch for any aspiring developer.
Watch the video below for a step-by-step breakdown of how to create your own portfolio using HTML and CSS:
Looking to add interactive elements to your portfolio? Check out Part 2 to learn how you can use JavaScript to make your portfolio even better.
How can you add to your portfolio?
The best way to add to your software engineer portfolio projects is to write more code. Building a software developer portfolio can be hard when you’re new to software development, but as you create projects you can build your portfolio as you go.
Here at Codecademy, our Career Paths not only teach you how to write code but also give you project assignments that you can add to your software developer portfolio.
In the Front-End Engineer Career Path, you’ll complete three projects that will show your ability to use JavaScript animation, build full-scale React apps, and create modern, pixel-perfect web designs with CSS. If you complete the Back-End Engineer career path, you’ll build applications that will display your skills in building and deploying production-level back-end applications and APIs. The Full-Stack Engineer Career Path includes a collection of professional projects that show you can build web applications from the front to the back using React and Node.JS. Head to our course catalog to learn more.
This blog was originally published in June 2021 and has been updated to include new portfolio elements and relevant courses.
Whether you’re looking to break into a new career, build your technical skills, or just code for fun, we’re here to help every step of the way. Check out our blog post about how to choose the best Codecademy plan for you to learn about our structured courses, professional certifications, interview prep resources, career services, and more.
