In this episode of the FrontMatter podcast, host Len Epp interviews Eric Wise, author of Effectively Learning to Code: A Brain-Based Approach. Based in Cleveland, Eric is a software architect turned learning expert who has founded and led successful companies while honing his passion for creating impactful learning experiences. His book bridges the gap between cognitive science and coding education, offering strategies rooted in brain science to help aspiring developers learn to code more effectively.

The conversation starts with Eric’s origin story. He grew up in Ohio and was inspired to pursue coding after being introduced to the Atari gaming system and the Commodore 64 by his father. Although initially drawn to game development, he shifted to business programming after recognizing the instability and demanding nature of the gaming industry. Eric discusses his successful career in enterprise architecture and consulting, highlighting his transition from working for large companies like Microsoft to joining smaller firms where he had more influence.

Eric delves into his management experience, sharing lessons learned about effective communication and leadership. He emphasizes the importance of understanding how people learn, which became a focus when he started building his own coding bootcamp. Through his experiences, Eric realized that many teaching methods lack essential learning science principles, such as active learning, spaced repetition, and project-based approaches. His book and online content aim to fill this gap by incorporating scientifically backed strategies that facilitate better long-term retention and skill development.

The interview also explores Eric’s insights on mentorship, where he describes the value of having a mentor to guide learners through the often overwhelming amount of information available. He notes that good mentorship involves meeting learners where they are, understanding their challenges, and helping them build foundational skills. This approach aligns with the advice he gives on effective studying—encouraging note-taking, journaling, and breaking down complex problems into manageable steps.

In discussing content creation, Eric shares how he approaches building educational materials by first identifying the needs of his audience. He emphasizes the importance of structuring content based on real learner feedback, which he often gathers from online communities like Reddit. His content strategy involves not just presenting information but ensuring that learners actively engage with it through exercises, project work, and reflective practices like journaling.

Eric also touches on the future of software development in light of AI advancements. While some fear that AI might replace developers, Eric is optimistic that AI will serve as a tool that enhances productivity rather than replacing human expertise. He advises developers to focus on building a broad foundation of knowledge rather than specializing in a single technology, as this adaptability will be key in navigating the evolving tech landscape.

To learn more about Eric and his work, visit SkillFoundry.io or follow him on YouTube and Twitter.

This interview was recorded on August 12, 2024.

The full audio for the interview is here: https://s3.amazonaws.com/leanpub_podcasts/FM299-Eric-Wise-2024-08.mp3. The Frontmatter podcast is available on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/leanpub, in Apple Podcasts here https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/frontmatter/id517117137, and almost everywhere else people listen to podcasts.

This interview has been edited for conciseness and clarity.