Web Development Bootcamp with RED Academy

“I worked with the University of Alberta and RED Academy, incorporating React into the web development boot camp curriculum, providing comprehensive instruction, and contributing to the growth of future web developers.”

Introduction

The opportunity to work with the Faculty of Extension at the University of Alberta and the former Red Academy marked a significant milestone in my career. I joined Red Academy after discussing web development and education at the University of Alberta Enterprise Square’s Graduate Education Symposium. Following an interview, I was offered a temporary position.

Our last in-person class was held on March 18, 2019, coinciding with the onset of the Covid-19 shutdowns. Luckily, we transitioned to an online model for the course capstone project right after completing the in-person lessons.

Here’s a brief about RED Academy from the WayBackMachine RedAcademy Website :

RED Academy is a full-time design and technology school in Toronto, Vancouver, and London. They offer part-time and full-time courses in digital marketing, UX & UI design, and web & app development. Their curriculum is immersive and relevant to the modern tech industry, and their Community Partners comprise mostly startups or non-profits contributing to social impact.

Course Design

I steered the boot camp towards a contemporary development approach by incorporating React into the curriculum. Despite its nascent stage, I also introduced React Hooks, which was only two months old then. My capstone project — a Covid Heat Map interacting with a World Health Organization API was highly relevant and practical.

Instructional Role

As the instructor, my responsibilities encompassed providing a comprehensive course overview, explaining teaching methods, classroom dynamics, assessment and evaluation processes, and detailing collaboration and support mechanisms. In addition, I shared insights from past experiences and highlighted student success stories.

The experience enriched my understanding of effective teaching strategies and the importance of tailoring to each student’s unique needs. In addition, by fostering an industry-focused learning environment, I helped students enhance their web development skills and equip them for real-world challenges.

I offered significant individual support, providing additional help and encouragement to some students and presenting others with complex coding problems and leadership opportunities.

Conclusion

Working with the Faculty of Extension at the University of Alberta and the former RED Academy was a pivotal experience in my career. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the growth of future web developers.