Elevating WordPress Education: Insights from Jonathan Bossenger

In this episode of Within WordPress, I talk to Jonathan Bossenger, a developer educator from Cape Town, South Africa, currently employed by Automatic and contributing to the WordPress training team.

Jonathan shares his journey from a software developer to an educator, emphasizing his passion for open source and teaching others how to create software. He delves into the evolution and mission of the WordPress training team, especially during the pandemic when the demand for online workshops and learning resources surged.

The conversation highlights the future directions for learn.wordpress.org, focusing on developing structured learning pathways tailored for designers, developers, and beginners in 2024. Jonathan discusses creating content that not only educates but addresses real-world application and needs, aiming for an outcome-based learning approach. T

he episode also touches upon the integration of WordPress TV and YouTube, enhancing accessibility and engagement in learning WordPress.

Lastly, Jonathan candidly discusses his personal motivation and joy in teaching, helping others succeed, and contributing to the broader WordPress community’s growth and success.

00:00 Welcome to Within WordPress: Meet Jonathan Bossenger
00:32 Jonathan's Journey: From Software Developer to Developer Educator
01:19 The Evolution of the WordPress Training Team
02:02 The Impact of 2020 on WordPress Learning
03:51 Future Plans for Learn.WordPress.org
05:49 The Shift to Structured Learning Pathways
08:02 Integrating YouTube for Enhanced Learning Experience
24:41 Content Creation Guidelines and Community Engagement
26:43 Exploring the Creation Process of WordPress Lessons
27:16 The Role of Subject Matter Experts in Lesson Development
27:56 The Evolution of WordPress Plugins and Custom Fields
28:33 Highlighting Innovative Teaching Methods in WordPress Training
29:15 The Intersection of Live Streaming and WordPress Education
30:47 Navigating the Challenges and Rewards of Live Streaming
38:03 The Impact of Automatic's Sponsorship on WordPress Education
44:21 The Open Source Philosophy and Commercial Success
49:47 Personal Motivations and the Joy of Teaching WordPress