Different Learning Methods
I have been using WordPress for the past 6 months or so now and up until now haven’t really learnt the way it works. I mean, I know how to post and do everything I need to do from the Dashboard and I know enough PHP to get me by, but it wasn’t until the Explore With Me Project that I really learnt the insides of it.
For me problem solving is the most effective learning method. Some people read guides, others go to classes but for me I learn the most about something when I break it and then try to fix it or if I have a problem with it and need it to do something it doesn’t.
I taught myself HTML at 15 by looking at other websites. Right click > View Source was the best way I learnt how to build a web page and by looking at source code 10 years later I still learn from it. I haven’t had too much experience in PHP but pulling apart a WordPress theme helped me understand the way WordPress uses it for the most basic of functions, and also increased my knowledge in PHP.
I have been working on the new site for the past few weeks and it has been a massive learning curve. This project isn’t a simple WordPress project. It is the combination of a few different ideas that are making it more difficult than it should be.
I am normally one to figure it out on my own before I asked anyone for help – whether it is web development or my real life job. Sometimes I stick with it long enough to get a result and other times when I get stuck I have to concede and ask for help.
This learning method proves far more effective than reading guides, books, powerpoint presentations, blogs and whatever else you want to throw in front of me. I think this is becuase I like to know how things work and I am a very persistant person – just ask my girlfriend!
Everyone is different and what works for me won’t work for you. I am interested to know what works for you. Do you prefer reading books or do you prefer reading code?
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