Software testing is an essential component of the software development life cycle (SDLC), ensuring the quality and reliability of applications before they reach the end-user. As the demand for skilled professionals in this field continues to grow, the need for comprehensive and accessible education becomes paramount. This is where Test Automation University (TAU) comes into play—a revolutionary platform powered by Applitools that has rapidly become the go-to resource for anyone looking to enhance their knowledge and skills in software testing and automation.
In this detailed guide, we will explore everything you need to know about Test Automation University, from its latest course offerings and learning paths to its strategic platform refresh. Whether you're a beginner eager to dive into the world of software testing or a seasoned professional looking to stay ahead of industry trends, TAU has something valuable to offer.
What is Test Automation University?
Test Automation University is a free online educational platform created by Applitools, a leader in AI-powered visual testing and monitoring. Launched to democratize access to high-quality education in the field of software testing, TAU offers a vast array of courses taught by industry experts. The platform covers a wide range of topics, including test automation, continuous integration, behavior-driven development (BDD), and much more.
Key Features of Test Automation University:
Comprehensive Curriculum: TAU offers courses that cater to all levels, from beginners to advanced professionals.
Expert Instructors: Courses are taught by some of the most respected figures in the software testing community.
Free Access: All courses on TAU are completely free, making high-quality education accessible to everyone.
Certification: Upon course completion, students receive certificates that can bolster their professional credentials.
The New Courses: Expanding Your Horizons
As Test Automation University continues to evolve, it consistently adds new and cutting-edge content to keep learners up-to-date with the latest industry trends. Below, we explore some of the exciting new courses that are currently in development.
1. Test Automation Design Patterns by Sarah Watkins
Test Automation Design Patterns is a highly anticipated course by Sarah Watkins, a seasoned expert in software testing. This course delves deep into the intricacies of designing robust and scalable test automation projects.
What You Will Learn:
Arrange-Act-Assert: Master the widely-adopted pattern for structuring test cases.
Dependency Injection: Learn how to handle test inputs and objects efficiently.
Page Objects vs. Screenplay Pattern: Understand the strengths and weaknesses of different design patterns in test automation.
Why Take This Course? If you're an aspiring Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) or looking to refine your test automation skills, this course will provide you with advanced knowledge to excel in your career.
2. GitHub Actions for Testing by Matthias Zax
GitHub Actions have revolutionized the way developers automate their workflows, including testing. In this course, Matthias Zax provides a comprehensive guide to leveraging GitHub Actions for automating your testing processes.
Course Highlights:
Creating GitHub Actions: Learn how to create custom GitHub Actions for your testing needs.
Automating Test Workflows: Automate repetitive testing tasks and streamline your development process.
Integration with CI/CD Pipelines: Understand how to integrate GitHub Actions into continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines.
Who Should Enroll? This course is ideal for developers and testers who are looking to optimize their testing workflows using GitHub Actions.
3. Behavior-Driven Development with SpecFlow by Bas Dijkstra
Behavior-Driven Development (BDD) is a collaborative approach to software development that encourages communication between developers, testers, and business stakeholders. In this course, Bas Dijkstra introduces you to BDD with a focus on SpecFlow, a popular BDD framework.
Learning Objectives:
Discovery, Formulation, Automation: Understand the three pillars of BDD and how they contribute to delivering high-quality software.
SpecFlow and Gherkin: Learn how to write and automate Gherkin scenarios using SpecFlow.
Integration with Selenium and RestAssured.NET: Explore how SpecFlow integrates with other testing tools to provide a comprehensive testing solution.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss This Course: If you're looking to adopt BDD practices in your organization or enhance your existing BDD skills, this course offers practical insights and hands-on experience with SpecFlow.
New Learning Paths: Structured Learning for Targeted Skills
In addition to individual courses, Test Automation University offers structured learning paths that guide students through a series of related courses, enabling them to gain mastery in specific areas of software testing.
1. Visual Testing Learning Path
Visual testing is an essential aspect of modern software development, ensuring that applications not only function correctly but also appear as intended across different devices and screen sizes. Applitools' own Matt Jasaitis is spearheading a comprehensive learning path on visual testing.
Learning Path Structure:
Course 1: Introduction to Visual Testing: Learn the fundamentals of visual testing and its importance in the SDLC.
Course 2: Advanced Visual Testing Techniques: Dive deeper into advanced visual testing strategies and tools.
Course 3: Expert Visual Testing Practices: Master the most sophisticated visual testing practices to ensure pixel-perfect applications.
Why This Learning Path? This learning path is perfect for testers and developers who want to specialize in visual testing and ensure their applications meet the highest standards of quality.
2. Leadership Learning Path
As you progress in your career, technical skills alone may not be enough. Leadership skills are crucial for guiding teams, managing projects, and driving quality initiatives. TAU’s new Leadership Learning Path addresses this need.
Courses in This Path:
Managing Test Teams by Jenny Bramble: Learn the skills required to lead and manage test teams effectively.
Building Up Quality Leaders by Laveena Ramchandani: Discover the qualities that make a great leader in the field of software testing.
Creating Effective Test Strategies by Erin Crise: Develop comprehensive test strategies that align with business goals and ensure project success.
Who Should Follow This Path? This learning path is ideal for testers, engineers, and quality assurance professionals who aspire to take on leadership roles within their organizations.
Refreshing Old Courses: Keeping Up with Industry Changes
In the fast-paced world of technology, staying updated is crucial. TAU recognizes this and has committed to refreshing its older courses to ensure they remain relevant and useful.
1. Cypress Courses by Filip Hric
Cypress is one of the most popular testing frameworks for front-end developers, and TAU's Cypress courses have consistently been among the most popular on the platform. However, with recent updates to Cypress, it's time for a refresh.
Course Refresh Details:
Introduction to Cypress: Updated to include new features such as component testing and the latest directory structure introduced in Cypress 10.
Advanced Cypress: Redesigned to flow seamlessly from the introductory course, providing a cohesive learning experience.
Why Enroll in the Refreshed Courses? These courses are a must for anyone working with Cypress, as they provide the latest techniques and best practices for front-end testing.
2. Playwright Courses by Renata Andrade
Playwright is rapidly gaining traction as a powerful end-to-end testing framework. Recognizing its growing importance, TAU is not only refreshing its introductory Playwright course but also adding an advanced course to the mix.
What’s New:
Introduction to Playwright: Now includes TypeScript examples and covers the latest Playwright features.
Advanced Playwright: A brand-new course that dives deep into advanced topics like parallel test execution and browser context management.
Who Will Benefit? Developers and testers looking to expand their knowledge of Playwright or transition from other frameworks will find these courses invaluable.
3. Mobile Automation with Appium in Java by Moataz Nabil
Mobile testing is a critical area in the software development process, especially as mobile usage continues to skyrocket. Moataz Nabil’s course on mobile automation with Appium in Java is getting a significant update.
Course Update Details:
Splitting into Two Parts: The course will be divided into two parts to make the content more digestible and easier to complete.
Updated Content: Includes the latest Appium features and best practices for mobile automation.
Why This Matters: Mobile developers and testers who work with Appium will benefit from the updated content, which reflects the latest industry standards and practices.
4. Web Element Locator Strategies by Andrew Knight
Locating elements is fundamental to any automated testing process. Andrew Knight’s course on Web Element Locator Strategies is being refreshed to include more frameworks and locator strategies.
What’s New:
Expanded Frameworks: Learn how to write locators for Playwright and Cypress, in addition to Selenium.
New Locator Types: Discover new types of locators that improve test reliability and efficiency.
Who Should Take This Course? This course is essential for anyone involved in automated testing, as it covers the critical skill of element location across multiple frameworks.
Retiring Outdated Courses: Moving Forward
In order to keep its content fresh and relevant, Test Automation University occasionally retires courses that are no longer up-to-date. Recently, the following courses have been removed:
Automated Visual Testing with Java by Angie Jones
AI for Element Selection by Jason Arbon
From Scripting to Framework with Selenium and C# by Carlos Kidman
While these courses were valuable in their time, the decision to retire them ensures that TAU's offerings reflect current best practices and technologies.
The Future of TAU: A Comprehensive Curriculum
Test Automation University is not just a collection of courses; it is evolving into a full-fledged curriculum designed to provide a holistic education in software testing and automation.
Developing a Curriculum
TAU is exploring the idea of creating a curriculum that goes beyond individual courses and learning paths. This curriculum would cover a broad spectrum of topics within software testing and provide students with a comprehensive education that could culminate in a diploma or similar recognition.
Why This Is Exciting:
Breadth of Knowledge: Students will gain a well-rounded education in software testing, covering everything from fundamentals to advanced topics.
Recognition: A curriculum-based diploma could provide significant value to professionals looking to advance their careers.
TAU Version 2: The Platform Refresh
As TAU continues to grow, so too must its platform. The current platform, while effective, is beginning to show its age. To better serve its growing community, TAU is planning a major overhaul of its web application.
What to Expect:
Improved Navigation: The new platform will make it easier to find courses and learning paths.
Enhanced Backend: Course publication will be streamlined, allowing for faster updates and new content releases.
Better Support: A more robust support system will be integrated into the platform, providing students with the help they need.
Why This Matters: The refresh will ensure that TAU remains a state-of-the-art educational platform, capable of meeting the needs of its users for years to come.
Conclusion
Test Automation University stands at the forefront of software testing education, offering a wealth of resources that cater to both beginners and seasoned professionals. With its commitment to providing high-quality, free education, TAU is not only helping individuals advance their careers but also shaping the future of the software testing industry.
Whether you're looking to learn a new skill, deepen your existing knowledge, or stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends, Test Automation University is the place to be. With new courses, learning paths, and a platform refresh on the horizon, the future looks brighter than ever for this invaluable educational resource.
Key Takeaways
Comprehensive Learning: Test Automation University offers a wide range of courses, from introductory to advanced levels, all for free.
Expert Instructors: Courses are taught by industry leaders who bring real-world experience and knowledge.
New Content: Exciting new courses and learning paths are continuously added to keep up with industry trends.
Course Refresh: Older courses are regularly updated to reflect the latest tools and technologies.
Future Curriculum: TAU is exploring the development of a comprehensive curriculum that could lead to a diploma or similar recognition.
Platform Overhaul: The upcoming TAU version 2 will feature a refreshed platform with improved navigation, support, and backend processes.
Leadership Focus: New learning paths in leadership are being introduced to help professionals develop essential soft skills.
Visual and Mobile Testing: Specialized courses in visual and mobile testing are available, with more updates planned.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is Test Automation University?
Test Automation University is a free online educational platform created by Applitools that offers courses on software testing and automation. It features a wide range of courses taught by industry experts and provides certificates upon course completion.
2. Who can benefit from Test Automation University?
TAU is designed for anyone interested in software testing, from beginners to seasoned professionals. The platform offers courses that cater to all skill levels and cover a broad spectrum of topics within the field.
3. Are the courses at TAU really free?
Yes, all courses on Test Automation University are completely free. This is part of Applitools' commitment to making high-quality education accessible to everyone.
4. What types of courses are available on TAU?
TAU offers courses on a wide range of topics, including test automation, continuous integration, behavior-driven development, visual testing, mobile testing, and more. New courses and learning paths are regularly added.
5. Can I earn a certificate from Test Automation University?
Yes, upon completing a course, you will receive a certificate that can be added to your professional credentials. TAU is also exploring the possibility of offering diplomas for completing comprehensive curricula in the future.
6. What’s new at Test Automation University?
TAU is continually updating its course offerings and is currently working on new courses and learning paths. Additionally, the platform is undergoing a major refresh to improve navigation, support, and backend processes.
7. How can I stay updated on new courses at TAU?
You can stay updated by regularly visiting the TAU website, subscribing to their newsletter, or following them on social media platforms.
8. What is the TAU version 2 platform refresh?
TAU version 2 is an upcoming overhaul of the Test Automation University platform, aimed at improving user experience, navigation, support, and backend processes. This refresh will ensure the platform remains cutting-edge and user-friendly.
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