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CSS CSS Basics (2014) Getting Started with CSS External Style Sheets

Keith Grimes
PLUS
Keith Grimes
Courses Plus Student 2,356 Points

In-depth practice session or Lab practice?

I really hope that Treehouse eventually builds in some practice sessions for us to practice the skills we're learning. Something like a lab session you might have in school.

To that end, does Treehouse eventually offer that kind of practice the further you get into the courses/tracks? Or does it stay the same: "follow along and watch, type along if you want" kind of thing. This is the "illusion of learning" as Barbara Oakley terms it in her mooc, Learning How to Learn.

That is not sufficient to ingrain learning. We need to challenge ourselves by sitting down with a real mockup and building the website using the skills we're learning at an appropriate level and pace.

My Question: Does anyone know of any practice sites on the web where just this sort of thing exists? With simple mockup designs that are created to facilitate learning while students build out the mockup/website?

Thank you very much in advance for your time and consideration. I really hope I get some replies.

2 Answers

lauraniebel
lauraniebel
4,685 Points

Keith, I don't think Treehouse offers this at the moment as part of their curriculum, however they point out that practice by building actual websites/projects is essential. I guess you just have to look for a way to build up and strengthen your skills on your own. This is also what I want to do shortly. Options that came to my mind were:

  • Code website mockups from Dribble
  • Code actual sites you like and find online
  • Contribute to open source projects via GitHub
  • Look at Front End Dev job ads to find any 'coding exams/tests'. Some companies supply PSD's or coding problems the applicant is supposed to solve and hand in the solution when applying. You wouldn't have to apply but you could just do their coding test for practice.
  • (Design) and code a friend's or non-profit's website

Hope these ideas help you a bit! Does anyone else have any more ideas on how to practice one's skills?

Keith Grimes
Keith Grimes
Courses Plus Student 2,356 Points

Laura:

Those are very good ideas. I know that we need to be self-starters on this particular subject. Some of the ideas you posted, especially the one about Dribble and coding exams/tests, are great ideas I hadn't thought of. Thank you very much for your time and thoughts.

Appreciate. :) Keith

I don't really know of any sites that you are describing, but if you want to can check out codepen there you can see other peoples personal projects and get inspiration from them.