WordPress for Education: Multisite

Manage a network of WordPress websites (such as student blogs or classroom websites) using WordPress Multisite.

WordPress in the Classroom: Multisite shows educators how to create and manage multiple WordPress sites from a single WordPress install by enabling the hidden Multisite features of WordPress. As an intermediate-level course, it assumes a basic working knowledge of WordPress, including WordPress plugins, themes, and templates. The techniques can be used for managing any type of network of WordPress sites, but author Chris Mattia concentrates on two scenarios: student-run blogs and websites for each class or section you teach. He also helps you set up a template that fits your teaching style, manage users across multiple sites, and leverage smart plugins such as MultiSite Clone Duplicator. These tips will help you streamline the technology, so you can spend more time engaging with students.

Introduction

• Welcome
• Before watching this course
• Exercise files

1. Getting Started

• Understanding WordPress Multisite
• Why use Multisite in the Classroom?
• Creating a test environment
• Test environment overview

2. Designing a Multisite Network

• Designing multisite networks
• Choosing a subdomain or folder structure
• Efficiently managing sites
• Designing for multiple course sites
• Designing for student sites

3. Creating a Multisite Network

• Multisite network with Installatron
• Preparing to manually create a Multisite network
• Manually creating a Multisite network
• Update the .htaccess file for Multisite

4. Managing a Multisite Network

• Managing network settings
• Adding new sites
• Add new sites from an exposed webpage
• Managing new site message settings
• Adding new users
• Managing users
• Installing and managing plugins
• Installing and managing themes
• Importing an existing site into a Multisite network

5. Managing a Multisite Network of Classes

• Creating a course site template
• Configuring the MultiSite Clone Duplicator plugin
• Creating a new site from your template
• Customizing template-based sites
• Keeping your course template up to date
• Using multiple themes
• Batch creating and enrolling users
• Restricting site access

6. Managing a Multisite Network for Students

• Strategies for creating student accounts
• Creating individual sites for students
• Aggregating posts across a Multisite network
• Supporting students
• Setting limits
• Preventing and dealing with problems
• Exporting student sites

Conclusion

• Responsibilities, ethics, and trust
• Next steps
• Goodbye