A presentation at ReactConf AU in in Sydney NSW, Australia by Trent Willis
How to teach an old dev new tech Learning React as a senior developer @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU (expect lots of doggos)
About 9 months ago…
mkdir app_v2
git commit -m “lead dev = me”
npm install old-tech-stack
git commit -m “y u no work?!”
🚫 Testing Story 🚫 Reliable Patterns 🚫 Community Solutions
Fight the Familiar Embrace the New
Embrace the New React Redux TypeScript
“I don’t know React…or Redux…or TypeScript.” –Me (the lead developer), ~9 months ago
I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I’M DOING –Me (the lead developer), ~9 months ago
Fast-forward 9 months… 😁 Positive Feedback For The App 😁 Smooth Development 😁 And…
“I know and enjoy React.” –Me, now
Why was our journey successful?
How to teach an old dev new tech Learning React as a senior developer @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU (expect lots of doggos)
What do you mean by “old”? @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
✅ Comfortable With A Tech Stack ✅ Working Primarily In That Tech Stack ✅ Doing The Above For A While™ @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
An “Old Dev” is a dev that is solidly in their comfort zone (and has been for a while) @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
The comfort zone can bias you towards not learning @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
Good Reasons For Staying In The Comfort Zone ✅ Quicker progress at start of project ✅ Can foresee possible pitfalls/issues ✅ Existing tools and knowledge base @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
The comfort zone is not inherently bad @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
The Comfort Zone Becomes Bad When You… 🚫 Don’t trust others’ experiences 🚫 Are afraid to fail in front of your team 🚫 Want to remain the resident “expert” @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
The comfort zone is bad when it does not celebrate learning @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
How do we create a culture to celebrate learning? @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
Why do we learn anything? @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
Two types of motivation @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
Two types of motivation Extrinsic @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
Intrinsic Two types of motivation Extrinsic @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
One type of motivation does not necessarily produce better results @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
Intrinsic motivation is more likely to produce better results @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
& I wanted to learn React I needed to learn React @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
“A decrease in intrinsic motivation when external rewards are offered regardless of outcome.” Overjustification Effect @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
Understanding motivation let’s us create environments where success is likely @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
Motivations can change (Unlike data in Redux 😉) @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
Extrinsic @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU Intrinsic
Extrinsic @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU Intrinsic
Foster positive and supportive motivations for learning (and everything else) @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
How do we create a culture that celebrates learning? @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
Start by being honest (Admit when you don’t know something!) @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
“You should already know that.” @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
“You should already know that.” vs. “I’m not sure, let’s figure it out together.” @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
Ability To Learn > Already Knowing (This is empowering!) @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
Build empathy about learning @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
You can’t unlearn something… @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
Listen to those learning it for the first time @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
Listen and act to create positive experiences @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
Try learning a new complex skill (To remind yourself what it’s like) @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
Learning a new technology is like climbing a mountain @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
Build up others @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
Encourage exploration of interests @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
Encourage exploration of interests @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
Play to their strengths and knowledge (And make sure you recognize them!) @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
Actually Celebrate! @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
@trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
Actually Celebrate! @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
How do we learn effectively? @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
Research the scope of what you need to learn @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
Build-up knowledge in well-defined increments @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
Pick your projects/tickets/issues purposefully to learn new skills @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
Take breaks (Plural, meaning more than one) @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
Don’t underestimate the power of rest @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
Get your sleep (Seriously, it’s like magic) @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
Be gentle to yourself The journey is long; don’t burn out @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
The comfort zone is not inherently bad (It becomes bad when it doesn’t celebrate learning) @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
Foster positive motivations for learning (Be honest, show empathy, and build up others) @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
Make your learning more effective (Make a purposeful plan and take care of yourself) @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
What is your takeaway? @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
Start by being honest @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
Start by being a dev that celebrates learning @trentmwillis | #ReactConfAU
Have you ever learned a new technology? Were you uncomfortable? Intimidated? That was Trent’s recent experience when he had to learn a new framework: React. In this talk, Trent shares his journey as an experienced developer embarking on a new project, in a new tech stack. He’ll explore how to develop confidence using new tech, why team culture is vital to successful learning, and what to do when learning is hard. He hopes to encourage you to be a developer who is confident and excited about learning new frameworks.
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