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Introducing three new technical master’s programs from leading universities on Coursera

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Introducing three new technical master’s programs from leading universities on Coursera
Introducing three new technical master’s programs from leading universities on Coursera

By Marni Baker Stein, Chief Content Officer at Coursera

The demand to earn degrees online is here to stay. University leaders say, on average, 60% of students are more interested in online learning this year than last year.

To better serve learners, we’ve expanded our degree portfolio by over 40% since last year and now offer degrees from leading universities, including Dartmouth College, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, and the University of California, Berkeley.

This year, we also pioneered a new degree model to make degrees on Coursera more accessible, equitable, and job-relevant, which eight programs adopted. These degrees are under $20,000, provide credit pathways, require no application, offer flexibility, and prepare learners for fast-growing jobs.

Today, I’m pleased to announce two new degrees from Northeastern University that require no application and provide pathways for learners from non-technical backgrounds and a new degree from Universidad de los Andes, which now offers four degrees on the platform.

This new program from Northeastern University, ranked among the top U.S. engineering schools, can unlock data engineering career opportunities and prepare students for advanced roles such as predictive modeling analyst, data integration engineer, and database architect. The program’s comprehensive curriculum covers modern data structures, data management, data mining, data visualization, deterministic models, and elective courses. Designed to be inclusive and built for working professionals, this $24,000 degree requires no tech background or traditional application. Instead, students who earn a B or better in two degree courses will join the full master’s program, with 25% of the program completed. To begin classes in January, enroll between November 1st and December 15, 2023.

This innovative Northeastern engineering program will be a gateway for anyone, including those without a background in tech, to gain the digital, human, and business skills needed to become a digital leader. Students will study UX design, business analytics, data science, and systems development electives. This degree offers performance-based admissions and pathways to prepare students without STEM experience for success in the program. Past graduates have secured jobs at leading tech companies which include Amazon, IBM, Microsoft, and Oracle. Enrollment will open on November 1 and close December 15 for classes beginning in January 2024.

“Northeastern University, a leader in experiential learning, is introducing two online engineering programs designed to be gateways into highly-desired careers. Our programs feature performance-based pathways and cater to professional learners with or without technical backgrounds. We understand the need for learners to acquire these skills through a distinct experiential approach, ensuring they remain competitive in today’s market and prepare for the evolving landscape of the future of work,” said Arshad Saiyed, Associate Vice President for Digital Education and Innovation at Northeastern University.

This Spanish-language program from the best university in Colombia transforms engineering professionals into influential leaders who can leverage cutting-edge skills such as AI, data analytics, or automation to drive business transformation. The 16-course curriculum covers engineering fundamentals, essential business and leadership skills, product and process management, and several electives. Students apply their learning in rigorous capstone projects, guided by expert professors from both engineering and management schools. At the end of this two-year interdisciplinary program, graduates can solve complex problems in ever-changing environments, identify business opportunities, and develop disruptive products. Apply by November 22 to start classes in April 2024. Students who complete Uniandes’ Specialized Program in Complex Project Management Specialization may receive credit toward the degree. 

“In light of this reality, both industry and governments need leaders who are aware of technological trends and who can guide their teams to achieve business goals from a strategic perspective. MAGI presents itself as the solution to train these cutting-edge technology leaders,” said Andrés Gómez Uribe, Program Director and Professor at the Faculty of Engineering of the Universidad de los Andes.

Learn more about these programs by filling out the form below.

Breaking Language Barriers: Sankoumba Kourouma’s Journey with Alison

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Meet Sankoumba: A Financial Engineer in Dakar

Sankoumba Kourouma is a Guinean financial engineer living in Dakar, Senegal. He came across Alison while searching online and was instantly intrigued when he realised he could take online courses for free.

Despite being a native French speaker, Sankoumba didn’t let language barriers hold him back. For Sankoumba, what sets us apart from other learning platforms, is our free courses. Whether you’re into finance, art, or anything in between, we’ve got you covered!

Empowering French Speakers: Free Diplomas and Certificates in English

Sankoumba now stands among thousands of French speakers who have earned English Certificates and Diplomas on Alison. Our platform’s straightforward approach makes it ideal for those who might not be fluent in English.

Through Alison, Sankoumba has already earned over nine certificates. It’s proof that, with a bit of grit and determination, you can achieve a lot, no matter your background.

Watch the video below to see how Alison empowered Sankoumba:

 

If you, like Sankoumba, are looking to learn new skills or polish the ones you already have, join Alison and get access to thousands of free courses and professional tools.

Word of the Day: mélange

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Word of the Day: mélange

The word mélange has appeared in 48 articles on NYTimes.com in the past year, including on March 21 in “Matthew Macfadyen Has Mixed Feelings About the End of ‘Succession’” by Sarah Lyall:

Macfadyen missed his family when he was off shooting “Succession,” and often flew home to England when he had a break in filming. But he sounded wistful about the end of the show.

“It was a really lovely bunch of actors,” he said. “It’s a weird thing, the grief when you finish a job. It’s sort of awful and heartbreaking, but at the same time, there’s a slight relief — a complicated mélange of feelings.”

Can you correctly use the word mélange 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 mélange can be used in a sentence, read these usage examples on Vocabulary.com.

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.

The Word of the Day is provided by Vocabulary.com. Learn more and see usage examples across a range of subjects in the Vocabulary.com Dictionary. See every Word of the Day in this column.

Our 9th Annual Student Review Contest

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Our 9th Annual Student Review Contest

But to help you discover what strong opinions may be lying underneath that self-doubt, try responding to these writing prompts:

  • Do You Read Reviews?

  • What New Work of Art or Culture Would You Recommend That Everyone Experience? (Coming soon)

  • What New Work of Art or Culture Would You Warn Others to Avoid? (Coming soon)

You say we have to review something that “debuted in 2023.” What does that mean?

That means that the work of art or culture you choose must be new this year. And yes, that applies to all of the categories of expression that we have listed above.

Why? Our contests have always challenged students to try to do what The New York Times does, and this requirement more closely aligns this contest with that goal. Reviews for The Times are on current works. They not only help readers decide what to read, watch, see or listen to now, but they also often play a significant role in shaping the cultural conversation around the works critics write about.

As A.O. Scott, a longtime arts critic, puts it, “Criticism is a kind of news reporting.” He writes of the role of a reviewer:

Whether or not we like the thing we’re reviewing, we are interested in what it means, how it works (or doesn’t), why it matters (or doesn’t), and how it reflects and is part of the larger world.

While we’re not asking you to race to your desk to type out a review for the next day’s paper like Times critics, we are asking that you choose to review something you think is worth talking about right now. We hope that, by writing about something current, you can more easily accomplish the task of justifying why a work “matters” and “how it reflects and is part of the larger world.”

And keep in mind that this doesn’t mean you only have to review today’s most popular works. As Mr. Scott writes, in addition to the “latest big Hollywood movies, Broadway shows, premium cable dramas, blockbuster museum retrospectives or whatever Jay-Z and Beyoncé are up to,” critics also “pay significant attention to small triumphs as well as grand ambitions, to interesting failures as well as astonishing successes.”

Here are some examples of works that would be eligible to review for this contest: a restaurant or building that opened in your town this year; a new season of a TV show or podcast that debuted this year; a new production of a Broadway play being performed at your high school this fall; a new translation of a classic book; a movie, album, video game or tech gadget that was released this year; a concert or fashion show you attended sometime during 2023.

A high-income skill for creatives: user experience

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A high-income skill for creatives: user experience

So far in our high-income skills series, we’ve explored how you can use data analysis to demonstrate your impact and project management to enhance your workflow. Both of these skill sets tend to involve internal workflows. This week, we’re shifting to an external focus: the user experience.

User experience (UX) has to do with understanding the way a person (the user) interacts with (or experiences) a product. The product can be a physical item, such as a sneaker, or a digital asset, such as a web page. When you consider a user’s experience, you’re making your product more user-friendly, oftentimes by drawing upon your creativity and social perceptiveness.

What can you do with strong UX skills?

Typically, when we think about UX, jobs like UX designer or UX researcher may come to mind. People in these roles typically work with products that are crucial to a business’s success. At Coursera, for example, UX designers help design the online classroom experience.

But we can also broaden that perspective: Anyone can be considered a user, and anything that a user interacts with can be considered a product. Say you’re building a portfolio to share with potential employers. Your potential employers would be your users, and your portfolio would be your product. Tapping into your UX skills, you may consider the type of experience you want your potential employer to have when they look at your portfolio, and then use design elements that encourage that experience.

Here are some ways you can incorporate UX skills into your regular workflow:

1. Conduct research to understand your target customer.

Knowing your audience is a crucial aspect of effective communication. People skilled in UX often gather data about their target audience in order to determine how to develop a product that speaks to them.

Use this two-hour Guided Project to practice using Google Forms to analyze user research data like a pro, or learn more about UX research with the University of Michigan’s User Experience Research and Design Specialization.

2. Design attractive and engaging products.

Whether you’re writing a data report or making a presentation to the board, good technical design can be the difference between a captivated audience and a bored one. Next time you’re tasked with sharing your latest project, impress your colleagues and supervisors with a top-tier visual experience.

Boost your design capabilities with the University of Colorado’s Graphic Design Elements for Non-Designers Specialization.

3. Connect your customers’ needs with your business goals.

Design thinking involves more than just compelling visuals; it’s an iterative problem-solving process. In this way, you can use UX and design principles to solve complex business problems and help move closer to your team’s goals. 

Learn more about design thinking with Innovation Through Design: Think, Make, Break, Repeat, a free course from the University of Sydney.

Where to begin

If you’re new to user experience, start with the first course in Google’s UX Design Professional Certificate, Foundations of User Experience (UX) Design. This introductory course covers the basics of design thinking, process, and research, and if you enjoy it, you can advance to the next course in the certificate program.

For a crash course, try Georgia Tech’s Introduction to User Experience Design. This single course runs through the design process in about six hours.

To enhance your web development skills, consider CalArts’ UI / UX Design Specialization. Here, you’ll learn how to incorporate design principles into your web design.

That’s all for this week. Next week, we’ll talk about artificial intelligence skills. See you then!

New Coursera L&D survey indicates greater investment in talent development from executive leadership in fast-evolving market

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New Coursera L&D survey indicates greater investment in talent development from executive leadership in fast-evolving market

By Trena Minudri, Chief Learning Officer 

In 2023, a dynamic macroenvironment, the rise of generative AI and its projected impact on the workforce, and a continued embrace of globalized and remote workplaces have all placed pressure on how businesses operate. Historically, when companies encounter turbulent times, one of the first cost-cuts has been learning and development (L&D) programs. But accelerated change requires increased organizational agility as workforces today must learn, change, and grow quickly enough to keep up with new threats and opportunities. 

New research explored in this survey of 650 L&D and HR leaders in eight different countries indicates a greater investment in talent development against the backdrop of a fast-evolving market. Our research finds that over 95% of learning and HR leaders have seen a budget increase this year, along with a substantial (51%) year-over-year increase in executive leadership viewing L&D as a strategic business function. 

Key findings from the L&D Investment Survey include: 

L&D is receiving greater support from executive leadership compared to last year, suggesting an increasingly important role for L&D and HR leaders in achieving core organizational goals. 

  • 95% of L&D and HR leaders report a 5-10% increase in budget, with 45% seeing increases larger than 10%.
  • The majority (52%) of L&D and HR leaders say that employee engagement is the top reason for budget increases followed by the role of critical skills development in maintaining organizational competitiveness.
  • In fact, 75% of L&D and HR leaders report that executive leadership prioritize investing in L&D to ensure that their technology ambitions are successful. 
  • The top five factors driving urgency for reskilling and upskilling programs are:
  • Increasing productivity (68%)
  • Keeping up with the competition (58%)
  • Driving employee engagement (58%)
  • Changing technologies (57%)
  • Employee retention (56%)

L&D and HR leaders are prioritizing business and human skills, with AI skills representing the biggest opportunity for early investment. 

  • The majority of leaders ranked business (52%) and human skills (46%) as their top priority for L&D programs; these domains include critical skills such as project management, leadership, adaptability, and agility. Digital and data skills followed closely behind, ranked by 44% and 38% of learning leaders as their most important priority. 
  • Notably, AI skills were ranked the lowest priority by L&D and HR leaders, with only 19% rating it as a top priority and just 20% saying they have effective metrics for measuring AI skills. 
  • This likely stems from the fact that, traditionally, learning and HR leaders shape their initiatives according to the needs of the organization, and many companies are still in the early stages of determining how they should embrace and operationalize AI. 
  • However, the projected impact of generative AI across job roles presents an opportunity for learning and HR leaders to serve as catalysts for change in their organization, partnering with business and technology leaders to make the skills and talent development investments needed to realize their technology ambitions. 

The top challenge facing L&D leaders is being unable to effectively create meaningful learning experiences from the vast volume of learning content available.

  • Today, there are more content options than ever before, also known as “content chaos,” which can be overwhelming for both employees and learning leaders. Learners need guidance to know what course to take, which skills they need to learn, or how they can advance their careers—or they end up taking no action at all.
  • 46% of L&D and HR leaders said prioritizing across many content options is their number one current challenge, with too many learning initiatives to measure (58%) and not having enough time for strategic planning (28%) as their main barriers to success. 
  • On average, nearly half of learning leaders reported that performance and productivity (47%) and skills development (43%) are the top indicators of program success. In fact,  46% of leaders report a year-over-year increase in employees applying skills they’ve learned in L&D programs to their day-to-day jobs.  

The signal is clear: Around the world, L&D and HR leaders are moving from the backroom to the boardroom to help their organizations meet mission-critical goals. In an age of relentless disruption, digital transformation and talent development must go hand in hand. HR and L&D leaders will play a vital role in helping companies navigate emerging challenges. I hope the data and insights offered in this report act as a catalyst for new ideas that organizations can embrace to build more engaged and agile workforces.

Download and read the full report here. To learn more about Coursera for Business, visit www.coursera.org/business.

Announcing new partnerships with Dell and PepsiCo and new entry-level Professional Certificates from CVS Health, Fractal Analytics, and Tableau 

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Announcing new partnerships with Dell and PepsiCo and new entry-level Professional Certificates from CVS Health, Fractal Analytics, and Tableau 

By Marni Baker Stein, Chief Content Officer at Coursera

As we near the end of 2023, it’s time to set goals for the year ahead. Over a quarter of people (26%) are looking to change jobs by mid-2024, marking a 7% increase from last year.

To meet this demand, we now offer 45+ entry-level Professional Certificates, a 60% increase from this time last year, to help prepare learners for entry-level jobs. In the last year, we’ve also added 15+ new industry partners in various industries, including NVIDIA, Mayo Clinic, SAP, and Siemens.

Today, I am thrilled to keep the momentum going by adding two new industry partners, Dell and PepsiCo, and four new entry-level Professional Certificates from CVS Health, Fractal Analytics, and Tableau.

Welcoming Dell and PepsiCo as new partners

Water Stewardship Specialization from PepsiCo

PepsiCo, a global leader in convenient foods and beverages, is the first food and beverage partner on Coursera. The company launched PepsiCo Positive (pep+) in 2021—a strategic end-to-end transformation of how they will create growth and shared value while having a positive impact on the planet and people—which includes an aim to become net water positive by 2030. PepsiCo’s new Specialization provides insights from global leaders at PepsiCo, Arizona State University, and The Nature Conservancy about water governance, infrastructure, sustainability, and corporate responsibility. Through three courses, learners will study local and global water resources and develop a plan to advance water stewardship goals.

Develop with Dell: IT Sales Specialization from Dell

Dell, one of the largest tech companies in the world, aims to empower students with the skills needed to get entry-level tech jobs and diversify the workforce with its Develop with Dell program. The company’s first beginner-level Specialization on Coursera equips learners with the knowledge, strategy, and skills needed to find and secure an IT sales role. Experts at Dell detail how to qualify opportunities, understand the buyer, create value props, and close sales. Through hands-on projects, learners will apply what they learn by practicing selling IT services.

“IT sales roles are vital to business success, offering excellent career growth for those who develop the critical skills needed,” said Olanda Sharp-Buckley, Vice President at Dell. “We are excited about our partnership with Coursera where we bring an engaging approach to building and growing careers in the IT industry, ultimately, impacting the lives and future of those ready to transition into their next role.“

New entry-level Professional Certificates to prepare for customer service, data science, and business analyst jobs

No education or industry experience prerequisites needed

Call Center Customer Service Professional Certificate and Retail Customer Service Professional Certificate from CVS Health

Each new certificate comprises four courses and can be completed in about 3-4 months with 5-6 hours of learning per week. They explore foundational customer service skills and processes, such as root cause analysis, de-escalation, prioritization, and communication techniques. Both programs help learners get job-ready through simulations to practice customer interactions and transactions in real-world settings as well as projects that can be used to create a professional portfolio. Learners who go through either certificate will gain access to career support resources such as job search, resume, and interview guidance as well as the CVS Health job board.

Data Science Professional Certificate from Fractal Analytics

Within five months, learners who dedicate 10 hours a week can learn the skills they need for an entry-level data scientist role, which has an average median salary of over $138,000*. This eight-course program emphasizes problem-solving, teaching learners to break down and solve complex business problems using Python, SQL, Power BI, machine learning and drive decision making through compelling storytelling. Learners will engage in critical thinking to gain a deeper understanding of the core principles of data science, moving beyond operational knowledge. Upon completion, learners earn this preferred qualification that Fractal will consider when hiring for entry-level data science jobs.

“In this age of AI, half-life of knowledge is shrinking rapidly. The people who will succeed will need to adapt, learn to learn, and be creative problem solvers. This certificate will help learners master the basics of data sciences and power enterprise decision-making,” said Srikanth Velamakanni, Co-founder and Group Chief Executive of Fractal Analytics.

Business Intelligence Analyst Professional Certificate from Tableau

Experts in Tableau teach you the specific skills you’ll need to be an effective business intelligence analyst, from data management and data analysis to visualization and communication skills. In 8 months with 10 hours of learning per week, you’ll be prepared to take your career in a new direction and pursue one of the more than 75,000* open roles in business intelligence.

“At Tableau, we believe that data skills are critical for the future of work,” said Courtney Totten, Director of Data Skills and Academic Programs, Tableau at Salesforce. “In partnership with Pathstream and Coursera, this certificate provides online data education to new audiences and inspires learners to build their expertise while preparing for data careers that span from entry level all the way to analyst. We are dedicated to closing the data skills gap with training and enablement programs and partnerships that help individuals and businesses achieve their data goals.”

Learn the skills you need for a new job by enrolling on Coursera today.

*Median salary and job opening data are sourced from United States Lightcast™ Job Postings Report. Data for job roles relevant to featured programs (7/1/2022 – 6/30/2023)

Why AI Won’t Replace Web Developers Anytime Soon 

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Why AI Won’t Replace Web Developers Anytime Soon 

AI website builders are on the rise, which begs the question: Are web developers safe? Is web development still a viable career path? If you ask us, of course web development is still a relevant profession because: 

  1. There’s still a huge demand for web developers 
  1. AI tools are no replacement for real people

Programming, the process of figuring out instructions to give a computer so it can get things done, is becoming more efficient with AI advancements. Web developers have new AI tools that can streamline the way they build, strategize, and maintain websites. But it takes real people with human empathy to find creative solutions and perform more abstract and conceptual tasks. 

“AI is powerful, but I haven’t run into a situation where I felt it could take over my position,” says Jessica Foster, a full-stack developer from the Midwest. Jessica learned to code in 2019 and has been a web developer for the past four years. She also hosts a YouTube channel where she shares career advice and tips for aspiring web developers.  

Ahead, Jessica explains why AI won’t replace web development anytime soon and why, no matter how tech evolves, you’ll always need real people at the helm of this tech trade.

Learn something new for free

What AI website builders can and can’t do 

Companies like Wix and Hostinger are developing AI website builders that build dynamic and aesthetically-pleasing websites instantly based on written prompts. While the tech is impressive, it has limitations. “You can get all these different templates, but [the AI] might reuse the same templates for different purposes,” Jess says. “You’re not getting anything that’s super customized and stands out, and you might still need to bring in a designer to tweak the templates until they feel unique.” 

Using predesigned templates for websites isn’t a new concept, but generative AI tools present new legal and ethical considerations. For example, generative AI models may replicate content that’s similar to the data it was trained on. This runs the risk of gradual uniformity, Jess says. If more websites are built with AI, and those websites are used to train other AI, this can eventually result in a lack of ingenuity or innovation. 

If you want to make it as a web developer, you need to showcase a variety of fresh and innovative websites in your portfolio. Your web developer portfolio should demonstrate that you can adapt to different clients’ needs or tech stacks, you have a diverse skillset, and you’re constantly learning the latest technologies. Building unique apps with distinct features and functionalities helps illustrate both your technical and creative ability — and gives you an edge over AI website builders. 

AI doesn’t have people skills 

A web developer is responsible for creating software solutions to solve problems and advance business goals. On a typical day, they might have to review wireframes, code collaboratively with other developers, or meet with project managers to update them on the status of their work. 

That means web developers need to know how to present their technical and stylistic choices in a way that nontechnical stakeholders can understand. “If I’m talking to you, I can kind of see where you’re going with something, even if you don’t know the actual terminology, and we can get to that end goal,” Jess says. “What are you looking to do? Who’s your audience, and what’s the main thing they need to accomplish on your website? There are so many different moving parts that AI hasn’t really conquered yet.” 

Another aspect of web development that requires a human touch is user experience (UX). You need a solid understanding of your users’ needs and preferences to offer a good user experience. Web developers work with UX researchers and designers to conduct interviews, run surveys, and host focus groups to learn more about their target audience. AI might be able to pull relevant insights from its training data, but it can’t connect with users one-on-one to figure out what they really want. If you want to learn more about UX, check out our free course Introduction to UI and UX Design. You can also learn about UX research methods in the course Learn User Research: Generative and Learn Design Thinking: Ideation.

The nuances of collaboration and critical thinking can’t be replicated by AI tools (not yet, at least), because AI doesn’t “think” the way we do. Programs like ChatGPT can sound human, but they don’t really understand what we’re saying — they just perform unfathomably complex calculations to generate an output that fits the prompt.

Learn how to use AI for web dev 

The bottom line? Most people who use the internet have a relatively rudimentary understanding of what it takes to build a website. (Those of us who were coding MySpace and Neopets in the 2000s can attest that you can pick up HTML/CSS basics quickly.) Even if AI tools can create a slapdash website for you, it takes technical acumen to know what to ask for, how to write prompts, and how to interpret and adapt the AI-generated output appropriately.  

Web developers should embrace these new AI tools and learn to use them to stay ahead of the industry. “You should definitely learn about prompting,” Jess says. “These tools aren’t going away, and they’re only to get stronger and more implemented.” As with other fields in tech, the potential of AI tools is limited to the extent of your background knowledge and ability to craft effective prompts. 

Here are a few tips for writing effective AI prompts, and if you want a more in-depth explanation, check out our free course Prompt Engineering for Software Engineering.  

Along with site builders, there are multiple AI tools that can generate effective code (like ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot). But instead of replacing developers, these tools are making their jobs easier. From writing code to testing and debugging, there are tons of ways developers can use AI.  

And if you need help building the soft skills that’ll help separate you from AI, sign up for Codecademy Pro and register for our upcoming webinar series on the most critical soft skills you’ll need for a tech career (and how to build them).

WordPress Basics – If you are new, start here!

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WordPress Basics – If you are new, start here!

WordPress Basics - If you are new, start here!

WordPress is a fantastic choice for creating your website or blog, thanks to its user-friendly interface and widespread popularity. I personally recommend it and use it for all of our premade themes. In this post, I have listed all the WordPress Basics with links to specific tutorials so you can get the most out of your site. Let’s get started!

If you do not have a WordPress yet – click here to get one!

WordPress Basics for Beginners

If you’re just starting out with WordPress, taking the time to learn the basics is key. This section has everything you need to know to get your site up and running. Once you’ve grasped the fundamentals well, you’ll be all set to tackle the more challenging features down the road.

All things will require you to log in to your WordPress first. You can do so via your hosting or by adding /wp-admin at the end of your site address so it looks like www.yoursitename.com/wp-admin.

Once there, you can learn the following things:

#1 How to create and edit posts and pages

Creating and editing your posts and pages is the key to filling your site with quality content. This will enable you to update your site on your own and keep it fresh and engaging for your audience.

By learning how to edit and create posts and pages, you can not only create a blog on your site but also add a contact page or make changes to your homepage if your theme allows it.

#2 Mastering Blocs (more advanced post edition)

Once you become familiar with adding posts and editing pages, it’s worthwhile to explore the world of blocs.

These provide you with various advanced post features, including galleries, quotes, videos, and much more!

#3 Using Labels and Categories

Organizing your content with categories and labels can be a great way to keep things neat and tidy. While they are not required, they can make your life easier by helping you find what you need quickly and efficiently.

Additionally, your visitors will appreciate the ability to find the content they are interested in more easily.

#4 Setting up the menu

The menu allows easy access to all the essential parts of your site.

If you purchase a premade design from our shop, I will set up the menu for you free of charge. However, I still recommend learning how to edit your menu so you do not need to contact me whenever you want to add small changes.

#5 Managing your sidebars

Some WordPress themes have additional sidebars available, so it is worth knowing how to access them.

Even though sidebars are now edited in the same way as your posts and pages, some older themes can still use the classic sidebar editor. You will find both versions covered in our sidebar guide linked here.

#6 Keeping your WordPress safe with updates

One important aspect of maintaining a clean and safe WordPress site is keeping it updated. Regular updates can help prevent security vulnerabilities and improve the performance of your site. It’s important to learn how to perform these updates on your own so that you can ensure your site stays up-to-date and protected.

P.S Did you know we can do all the maintenance and updates for you? Contact us if you would like to learn more.

BONUS: Genesis Layout Options

If you are using one of our WordPress themes, your design comes with different post and page layouts.

You can choose to display them full width or with the right sidebar turned on. In this tutorial you will learn how to access this feature.

I truly hope that this guide will help you feel more at ease while navigating your site. It goes over all of the essential WordPress basics, but please don’t hesitate to reach out to us or leave a comment below if there’s anything else you’d like to learn.

We are here to help!

Do You Think Any of These Mythical Creatures Might Be Real?

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Do You Think Any of These Mythical Creatures Might Be Real?

In “Bigfoot Is Back. (Bigfoot Never Left.),” Claire Moses writes about the latest potential sighting that has captured the internet’s attention, highlighting the large, furry creature’s enduring appeal:

Stetson Parker and his wife, Shannon, recently took a trip through Colorado to celebrate their 10th anniversary. They boarded the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, a vintage train that “provides historic and entertaining” rides, according to its website.

But what the Parkers saw from the last car of that train wasn’t advertised online. The couple believe they spotted the most elusive of creatures: Bigfoot.

Yes, you read that correctly: Bigfoot. Also known as a sasquatch or a yeti. The mythical apelike, giant creature, who (maybe) wanders North America. Who, according to some, definitely exists. And who, according to most everyone else, definitely does not.

The most recent spotting, captured in a widely shared video from that train in Colorado, adds to the growing catalog of sightings that have kept the myth alive amid a lack of what some might call verifiable proof.

“I’m definitely a believer now,” Mr. Parker, 33, said.

The video, which was taken by a fellow passenger and posted online by Mr. Parker, shows a tall, brownish creature walking and squatting, before it blends into its surroundings. The footage is zoomed in, making for a grainy video.

To him, Mr. Parker said, the creature didn’t look like a human.

“It didn’t move like a person,” he said. “It looked more like an ape but didn’t walk like an ape so much.” He added that the creature’s arms seemed too long to be human, with hands reaching down to its knees.

“It didn’t look like anything I’ve ever seen before,” Mr. Parker said. “I don’t think it was a hoax. And if it was, it was a really good one.”

The article continues:

Other possible explanations emerged as the video drew the attention of media around the world. Maybe it was a bear. Or, the most common one, maybe it was a man wearing a ghillie suit, the camouflage clothing that helps outdoorsmen disappear into their backgrounds. But why, Mr. Parker asked, would anyone be in a ghillie suit in the middle of elk hunting season? That’s a surefire way for any hunter to get shot. And it wasn’t holding a weapon.

Over the decades, researchers, academics and even the F.B.I. have investigated Bigfoot’s existence. The F.B.I. helped research mysterious hairs in 1977, which ended up being of deer origin. Bigfoot experts and enthusiasts often refer to the so-called Patterson-Gimlin film from 1967, which claimed to show one of the creatures strolling through a California streambed.

A major 2014 Oxford University study dealt a blow to Bigfoot believers. Researchers there investigated 30 hair samples and successfully matched all of them to other animals.

But the Bigfoot faithful are not easily deterred. “I fully believe that they’re there,” said Ryan Willis, 23, who founded the Trent University Sasquatch Society and is the host of “Sasquatch University,” a reality show on the Wild network that covers Bigfoot sightings in Ontario. “But I do leave a bit of room for skepticism.”

Students, read the entire article and then tell us:

  • Do you think any of these mythical creatures might be real? Bigfoot. The Loch Ness monster. Yetis. Or do you believe they’re all fake?

  • What is your reaction to the claim of a sighting of Bigfoot on a mountainside in Colorado? Did you watch the viral video? How convincing is it?

  • Have you, or has anyone you know, ever seen an unexplainable and mysterious being or phenomenon? If so, describe the sighting. How did people react when told about it? What natural explanation might account for it?

  • Ms. Moses writes that “the Bigfoot faithful are not easily deterred” despite scientific studies disproving various claims of its existence. Why do you think the curiosity about Bigfoot and other mythical creatures persists?

  • Which mythical creature would you most like to discover is real, and why?

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.

Find more Student Opinion questions here. Teachers, check out this guide to learn how you can incorporate these prompts into your classroom.

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