Automattic, the brains behind WordPress.com, is dipping its toe into educational waters with a bespoke free plan aimed at teachers and their classes. This new suite offers a full domain name for each student and supports everything from plugins to backups.
The initiative isn't just about tech training; it could also democratise access to web development tools in underfunded schools, ensuring that future website professionals have the skills they need without financial barriers. By the end of the first year, students can decide whether to continue paying $2 a month or let their work revert to a basic WordPress site.
In trials with 5,000 students across 27 countries, educators noted significant improvements in student employability and entrepreneurial skills. This move by Automattic suggests they see the future of web creation being taught as part of tech literacy.
For now, it seems like a win for both teachers looking to integrate digital tools into their curriculum and students eager to build something tangible from their studies. But will these website wizards eventually choose social media over the CMS that once ruled the internet?
