Apr
4
2011
Teaching
In 2010, I taught an internet technology course at the University of Alberta. It was part of a program called ELLA, which is the flagship program of the Edmonton Lifelong Learners Association. They stage a three-week program every May, offering a variety of courses to those over 50 years of age. The program is simple: participants pay a flat fee and can attend any class (or classes) they choose. There are seven class periods per day (six “main” class blocks, and one early morning Tai Chi session). There is a wide variety of classes – from religion to Salsa dance to internet technology.
I’m pleased to announce that I’ll be at the U of A this May, delivering a class called “Getting More Out of the Internet”. I love teaching this class because the students are eager to learn. Even for me, a guy whose stock and trade is built on the internet and related technology, it’s tough to keep up with the rapid pace of innovation. The ELLA students are keen to keep up, and I enjoy playing a small role in their development into “digital citizens”. I’ve got 65 students on the roster so far and more are signing up each day. The class is capped at 80, and I know I’ll get there.
In the future, I hope to do more of this. I hate to trot out a cliche, but teaching is rewarding. To see someone finally “get” a previously poorly-understood concept is a beautiful thing. I hope to get better at it.
