Shawn Hymel, an educator and former Developer Relations at Edge Impulse, shares his exciting transition to creating full-time courses on electronics and 3D printing. He delves into the intricacies of using FreeCAD, emphasizing the challenges beginners face. The conversation shifts to machine learning, breaking down concepts like neural networks and their practical applications. Shawn's vision for innovative educational content shines through, highlighting the importance of foundational skills in navigating today’s tech landscape.
Shawn Hymel emphasizes the fulfillment found in course creation as a means of knowledge sharing compared to traditional engineering roles.
He highlights the importance of constraints in project management, which can foster creativity and lead to more realistic outcomes.
The concept of the 'corporate professor' signifies a shift towards practical, hands-on teaching, bridging academia with real-world applications in tech.
Deep dives
Transition to Course Creation
The speaker discusses the transition from working in developer relations to focusing on course creation full-time. In previous years, he engaged in freelance work, creating various forms of content, consulting, and engineering projects. However, he has determined that he prefers project creation over consulting for others, as working on projects dictated by others tends to demotivate him. The enthusiasm for course creation stems from a realization that sharing knowledge and helping others learn can be more fulfilling than traditional engineering roles.
Value of Constraints in Engineering
There is a significant appreciation for the constraints that come from working on client projects compared to self-directed projects. The speaker highlights that constraints imposed by customers can enhance creativity and lead to more realistic and marketable solutions. He compares previous experiences of designing boards without constraints, which often led to unrealistic specifications and losses. This understanding has shaped his approach to project management and course development, emphasizing the need for constraints for successful outcomes.
Challenges of Selling Hardware vs. Content
The speaker reflects on the increasing difficulty of competing with established hardware vendors in a saturated market. He notes that alternatives available to consumers, such as low-cost boards from China, make it hard for individual creators to sell their products. The observation is made that companies like SparkFun and Adafruit dominate the market not just because of their hardware, but for the additional resources and community support they provide. Shifting his focus to content, he expresses a desire to teach rather than sell hardware, recognizing that creating educational material can be more viable in today's economy.
Becoming a Corporate Professor
The concept of the 'corporate professor' is introduced as an evolving identity for the speaker, who seeks to bridge the gap between academia and practical teaching in the tech space. This role signals a transition from traditional educational credentials to a more hands-on, real-world approach to learning. He highlights how people outside the U.S. often refer to educators as 'professors,' which resonates with his goal to bring serious and engaging educational content to the audience. The aim is to engage with both beginners and advanced learners, fostering an environment that emphasizes collaboration and practical learning.
The Importance of Scaffolding in Education
Scaffolding is emphasized as a critical approach to teaching complex subjects, allowing learners to build on existing knowledge as they progress to more advanced concepts. The speaker explains that breaking down content into smaller, manageable lessons helps students retain information and apply it practically. By considering where learners are starting from, he aims to provide content that can elevate them through knowledge tiers effectively. This method supports their growth and confidence, making the learning process more engaging.
Emerging Trends in Edge AI and Machine Learning
The discussion expands to the trends in edge AI and machine learning, with an emphasis on locally processing data on devices like smartphones and drones. The speaker illustrates how advances in hardware technology allow for real-time analytics and object detection capabilities, which enhance the functionality of devices. He mentions that these improvements bring significant potential for practical implementations across various applications, suggesting a future where AI becomes more integrated into everyday technology. Understanding these advancements is critical for engineers looking to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving field.
Shawn will be transitioning out Developer Relations at Edge Impulse. He will now be building courses full time. (this was recorded before Shawn announced his departure)
He want’s to be like a Professor, which partially explains his signature bowtie
Should people go into content? What about Developer Relations more specifically?
New courses will include FreeCAD and 3D printing and will be published by Digikey
