Watching tutorial vids, reading sites/books is one thing, but actually putting what you learn into practise is another kettle of fish altogether... and it's probably the best way to improve and learn, as you are putting your thinking cap on to try and put what you've learnt into solving a problem or figuring something out (a task). And that is precisely what I have in mind for this suggestion

Create a new section and name it something like 'TalkPHPs Tasks - Do these and improve your skills!'. Then maybe get a few volunteers to create a small team made up of competent PHP coders/mods. Who then sit down and put together a set of 'tasks' (covering beginner and intermediate). A few of those would then be posted every week and those of us who are learning PHP can do what's required in the task and submit it in the thread _however_ while our post will show to us it will not show to other members until the end of the week.

This gives us all a chance to have a go, rather than just cheating and copying someone elses answer or not even bothering at all cos we already read the answer from someone else.

When the week is up the thread becomes public so we can all see everyone elses answers and the thread starter can post the answer and we can mark ourselves, or the thread starter can comment on our code/answer.

Additionally the section will act as a useful information resource - yet at the same time attract people to come and sign up to our 'course'. Although we leave the 'learning' part to specialist sites (as it would involve too much work - besides, there are lots of good resources out there already).

I think maybe even work with sites like phpvideoturorials where the 'tasks' here are based on the the skills learnt in the 'free' lessons there?

The tasks can be simple 'questions' or actual tasks. Eg:

Explain in your own words, the difference between a constant and a variable.

Or

Create a script/piece of code where blah blah does this or that or....

Anyway I think this would be awesome as I haven't seen it done anywhere else - with a bit of thought, it could become a very respected resource and get lots of new members to join up here.

What does everyone else think?

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