Introduction
Last week marked the conclusion of a 6-week course titled “Cloud Services and Security”, part of the “.NET Developer” program offered by Newton Kompetensutveckling Vocational High School in Malmö, Sweden. I was asked to teach this class on short notice, and while I initially had reservations, the experience turned out to be incredibly rewarding.
Course Overview
The class consisted of approximately 40 students, all nearing the end of their studies. Their technical backgrounds varied, but their enthusiasm was a pleasant surprise. Over the 6 weeks, we covered:
- Cloud 101 and Introduction to Microsoft Azure
- Azure Storage (Blob Containers, etc.)
- Azure Functions
- Web Apps
- DevOps and Infrastructure-as-Code 101
- Event Grid
- Service Bus
- NoSQL and Cosmos DB 101
The goal was to familiarize students with Microsoft Azure and its practical applications. The course culminated in a group project that required the use of all the services we covered.
Key Lessons Learned
Here are 10 valuable lessons I learned from this teaching experience:
-
Avoid Setting the Wrong Expectations
Telling students the course is “impossible to fail” can lead to complacency for some. -
Preparation is Exhausting but Necessary
Hours of preparation and testing are essential to ensure smooth delivery. -
Teaching Reinforces Learning
Revisiting the basics helped me deepen my own understanding. -
Cater to Diverse Motivations
Students have varied reasons for attending; it’s important to engage everyone. -
Confidence is Contagious
A confident teacher inspires confident students. -
Expect the Unexpected
Software issues are inevitable; honesty and transparency go a long way. -
Leave No One Behind
Be available for catch-ups and ensure everyone is on the same page. -
Adapt to Adult Learners
Interactive sessions and discussions work better than long lectures. -
Homework is Valuable
Assigning homework can help students learn at their own pace. -
Teaching is a Career Enhancer
Sharing knowledge is a fulfilling and valuable part of professional growth.
Conclusion
Teaching this course was an eye-opening experience that I thoroughly enjoyed. It reinforced the importance of knowledge sharing and inspired me to seek more opportunities to teach in the future. If you’ve had similar experiences, I’d love to hear your thoughts!