How To Teach An Old Dev New Tech: Learning React as a Senior Developer

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

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

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