In my recent video on LinkedIn, I shared 5 crucial lessons I have learned during my experience teaching an 8-week program on web design, consulting, and UX using the Google UX Course on Coursera for The Teacher’s Bureau with i.c.stars. During this time I learned some really important things when it comes to teaching others an essential skill and I want to take this opportunity to go more in-depth with those lessons I have learned.  

First and Foremost Build Trust for Meaningful Conversations:

• The first lesson that became abundantly clear was the importance of building trust with my students. When it comes to web design, consulting, and exploring different tech careers, I noticed that discussing the high-level concepts in these categories often left my students feeling lost. By prioritizing in-depth conversations about their individual goals, I was quickly able to tailor my teaching approach. Understanding their career aspirations, whether leaning towards contract work or corporate jobs, allowed me to connect the dots between theoretical concepts and their real-world experiences.

Conduct a Comprehensive Hardware Assessment:

• Before diving into the nitty-gritty of the program, a hardware assessment became a critical step. Knowing the students’ devices, operating systems, and equipment conditions of my students was essential because it constantly becomes a hiccup and delays the work we need to do during in-class assignments and homework. Many had the capability to excel in the program, but hardware issues were a common hindrance. Addressing these concerns early on enabled me to find effective solutions, ensuring a smoother learning experience for everyone.

Optimize Communication Channels:

• In a world filled with various communication platforms, I found simplicity to be key. While Slack, Google Hangouts, and Teams are popular choices, leveraging text messages proved to be the most universally accessible. Implementing a group text strategy allowed for quick and effective communication with minimal barriers. Additionally, utilizing Google Classroom streamlined the process of quickly sending announcements, content, and resources, simplifying the learning process for both myself and the students.

In-Person vs. Remote Teaching Dynamics:

• Despite the prevailing trend of remote learning, I discovered that, for the specific skills I was teaching, an in-person approach was more effective. Witnessing real-time reactions, frustrations, and confusion allowed me to address issues immediately. The challenges of remote learning, such as limited visibility due to turned-off cameras, hindered my ability to gauge student understanding promptly. If you’re considering remote teaching, starting in person and gradually transitioning may provide the best of both worlds.

Choose a Suitable Tech Stack:

• Selecting an appropriate tech stack is essential, not only for online courses but also for the exercises your students will undertake. The software-heavy nature of web and UX design demands careful planning. Avoid the pitfalls we encountered by mapping out all the tools needed for different exercises in advance. Creating account after account to use for small pieces of work became extremely time-consuming. Minimizing the number of applications will not only simplify the learning process for students but also streamline your administrative efforts.

I want to emphasize the importance of adapting your teaching methods to meet the unique needs of your students, get the stuff out there first, make adjustments as needed and grow. If you’re exploring learning management systems, or need guidance in building your own program, feel free to reach out to me at ehi@geekempowered.com. I’m here to help you navigate the ever-evolving world of tech education.