overview
Welcome to .toolbox, a fun online learning environment, where you will learn basic
design concepts and how to apply them, as well as the fundamentals of creating Silverlight
applications using the Expression Studio tools. .toolbox features two learning options:
Courses and Tutorials.
courses
In .courses, two core learning paths are presented to you: Design Scenarios and
Design Principles. Both begin with teaching basic techniques and build skills and
knowledge incrementally. In Design Scenarios, designers and developers
learn to create dynamically-rich Silverlight applications using Expression Studio.
You will learn to add code-free functionality to designs by following step-by-step
tutorials that illustrate how to create interactive user experiences. In Design
Principles, you will learn fundamental design concepts (e.g., choosing
the right colors and the right fonts) along with tips and techniques in how to apply
them to your creations.
Badges are earned and accumulated in both tracks upon successful completion of the
evaluation found at the end of each level. The evaluation tests your knowledge by
asking questions about each of the modules in that level. Follow either the Design
Scenarios or Design Principles track to completion and achieve Star status.
Or, choose to complete the same level of each track (e.g., Design Scenarios 1 and
Design Principles 1) and then take the combined design evaluation (e.g., Design
1) to be well on your way to achieving Design All-Star Status!
While course content is available on the site and also for download, evaluations
will remain locked until you successfully complete the previous level’s evaluation.
For example, the Design Scenarios Level 2 exam will become available only when you
complete the Level 1 exam. Note that while you can access all the training content
without creating a .toolbox profile, you will need to register in order to access
the evaluations and track your progress through the program. Collect all of the
badges to unlock the final evaluation for your chance to graduate as a Design All-Star!
Want to earn Extra Credits? Work through the Windows Phone course
and learn how to create Windows Phone applications using Silverlight and Expression
Blend. Upon successful completion of all four modules of the Windows Phone course,
you will unlock the the Extra Credit badge. The Extra Credit badge can
be earned at any point during the two learning paths, no pre-requisites.
tutorials
In .tutorials, through the different sessions listed, you are presented with practical
techniques, tips, and tricks that teach you to create Silverlight applications using
Silverlight. In a change of pace from the .toolbox courses, the tutorials are shorter
content sessions that you will be able to complete in a relatively short amount
of time. By following along, you will learn fairly quickly about the different features
of Silverlight by simply drawing, resizing, dragging, and dropping elements onto
the design surface of Expression Blend. While you won’t earn badges by completing
the .toolbox tutorials (head over to .courses for that!), you will get a wide array
of content that you can pick and choose from to enable you to start mastering Silverlight
and Expression.
