Fostering a learning environment with Mark Thompson of Trilogy
Mar 14, 2018
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Mark Thompson, Trilogy Education guest, discusses creating a productive learning environment and his side project Totally Strong. They share challenges faced in teaching new technology, techniques for fostering a supportive culture for junior developers, strategies to keep energy high, and the importance of clear communication and seeking support in a learning environment.
Teaching promotes empathy and understanding, making instructors more effective at communicating and leading.
Creating a culture of open communication and support encourages learning and growth within a team.
Believing in oneself, embracing challenges, and adopting a growth mindset are essential for success in the engineering field.
Deep dives
Mark Thompson's Background and New Role at Trilogy Education Services
Mark Thompson, a former senior engineer at Go Health, now holds the title of director of academic excellence at Trilogy Education Services. In this role, he will be working with instructors across the network to develop new training programs. Additionally, he will be leading a team responsible for onboarding and training instructors. His main goal is to ensure a high-quality student experience across various universities.
Mark Thompson's Side Project - Totally Strong Inc.
Mark Thompson has also started his own company called Totally Strong Inc., which focuses on fitness. Totally Strong Inc. is a fitness app that allows users to create workouts, share them, and follow home exercise routines. The app is specifically designed for users to access workouts for free and aims to provide a wide range of workouts tailored to various needs, such as postpartum workouts. Mark plans to continue expanding and improving the app based on user feedback and requests.
The Connection Between Teaching and Leadership Skills
Mark discusses how teaching has helped him become a better developer and leader. Teaching requires a deep understanding of complex concepts, leading to a clearer understanding of the subject matter. Additionally, teaching encourages empathy and kindness, making instructors more effective at communicating and understanding the needs of their students. These skills can also be applied to leadership roles, as they promote patience, problem-solving, and a supportive environment for the team to learn and grow.
Creating a Culture of Learning and Support
Mark emphasizes the importance of creating a culture where employees feel comfortable asking questions and seeking help. He suggests fostering an environment where team members are open to being approached and where questions are encouraged. As a leader or manager, it is essential to be patient, understanding, and provide accessible resources and guidance to support employees' learning and growth. Showing empathy, kindness, and offering assistance will ultimately contribute to a more motivated and successful team.
Value of Advocating for Yourself and Being Fearless
Mark encourages students and new engineers to believe in themselves and advocate for their needs. He highlights the importance of being patient, putting in consistent effort, and being fearless in exploring new technologies and solutions. Mark believes in the power of taking on challenges, seeking answers, and embracing a growth mindset to overcome obstacles and achieve success in their chosen field of work.
We speak with our first guest, Mark Thompson of Trilogy Education, about his approach to creating a productive learning environment both on the job and in a classroom setting. Mark is also working on a side project named Totally Strong, which is pushing his own limits about learning to code while building an MVP (and raising a newborn!).
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