Same year, same subject, parallel institution — WordPress as a for-credit course at York University in Toronto across three terms of 2017.

York is a different teaching context than Sheridan. The students span more disciplines, the program structures are different, and the assumptions you can make about prior knowledge shift. A WordPress course at a research university can carry more theory before it loses the room than the same course at a career college, and the assignments can ask for written reflection on top of the technical work.

Holding two parallel post-secondary WordPress courses in one calendar year was a particular kind of year. The Sheridan and York classes never met each other, but the material flowed between them as both groups raised questions I hadn’t thought to plan for. Both courses are part of why WordPress teaching feels less like demonstration and more like instruction now.

Christopher Ross

Your presenter

Christopher Ross

I've been the person event organizers call when they want someone who's actually doing the work, not just speaking about it. Twenty-two years building, a few hundred talks across WordCamps, conferences, and client teams — the talks come from real delivery, not from last year's slide deck.

  • Nineteen years building with WordPress; twenty-two delivering the underlying web work.
  • Talks at WordCamps and conferences across the publishing, education, and public-sector arc.

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Common questions

What is the cancellation and refund policy?

Full refund if you cancel seven or more days before the session. Inside seven days I can move your seat to a future date or transfer it to a colleague at no charge. If I have to cancel the day for any reason, every registered seat is refunded in full.

What is included, and what should I bring?

Bring a laptop with the software the course covers (current versions are fine) and a charger. I supply worked files, a printed reference sheet, coffee through the day, and a light lunch. The room has Wi-Fi and power at every seat.

How does the group pricing work?

The price-per-seat drops as you add more people from the same organisation, in pairs: 1-2 seats at the headline rate, 3-4 at the next tier down, then 5-6, then 7-8. The pricing table on this page shows each tier. For nine or more, get in touch directly and I will quote a private team session.

Can you run this onsite or virtually instead?

Onsite anywhere in the Niagara region, the GTA, or southern Ontario; the course is the same and you save the travel time for your team. Virtual delivery I take case-by-case - hands-on courses work for groups already comfortable on video, but in-person learns faster for genuine beginners. Tell me your group and I will give you an honest read.

Which software versions does the course cover?

Both currently-supported versions of the software covered. Where a feature differs between versions, I show both paths so you can apply what you learn on whichever version your employer has licensed. Tell me at booking if your office is on an older release and I will flag the few spots where it matters.

Can you accommodate accessibility needs?

Yes. Venues are step-free with accessible washrooms. I can supply large-print handouts, reserve a seat near the front, brief you on the room layout in advance, or work with an interpreter or support worker you bring with you. Email me when you book and tell me what would make the day work for you.