Is Teaching One of the Best Ways To Learn?

Of course it is! So let’s explore my own journey to better illustrate this.

Right out of college, I was fortunate enough to land my first development role in the software industry. Starting as a trainee, I quickly transitioned into a full-time junior developer. I was bombarded with new concepts, frameworks, and tools. As I applied them to real-world projects, some remained foggy at the time.

Coincidentally (perhaps not!), alongside my developer beginnings, I was offered a teaching position at my alma mater – none other than Web Programming! And this wasn’t just teaching; it was simultaneously solidifying my own understanding of what I was learning in my first developer job.

In my experience, being both a developer and a teacher has been the ultimate learning experience. Teaching web programming forced me to deeply grasp the concepts and translate them into easily digestible explanations for my students. This process significantly accelerated my own learning and made me a better developer.

While I’m no longer actively teaching web programming, I’m currently supervising and mentoring research projects at the same university. This shift has allowed me to delve into new territories beyond software development: data networking, system auditing, cybersecurity, expert systems, neural networks, automation, and more. Although theoretical, this knowledge equips me to guide others on their journey within these fields.

Teaching compels you to thoroughly understand a subject and then communicate it effectively. Imagine yourself as a student, and model your teaching style on how you would have ideally learned. This approach fosters continuous reflection and improvement in your teaching-learning process.

So, the answer to my initial question: Yes, and always will be, teaching is one of the most effective ways to learn, at least for me. While not everyone enjoys or has a calling to teach, I encourage you to give it a try if the opportunity arises. You may surprise yourself, just like I did, by enjoying the experience and enriching your knowledge base at the same time.

Have you had a similar teaching/learning experience? I am curious to hear about your journey! Feel free to share your experiences or ask questions in the comments below.

Cover image by vectorjuice