Accelerating Web Engineering Education: Empowering Students with Full Stack AI Development
In the rapidly evolving field of web engineering, it is essential to equip students with a comprehensive skill set that encompasses both frontend development and data management. Join me on a transformative journey as I share my experiences being mentored by Marco, and together, we educate a group of enthusiastic students on the power of full stack web development. By incorporating AI technologies and tools like React JS, PostgreSQL, and Hasura, we empower students to leverage AI as a supportive ally in their engineering careers.
Marco and Me: The Dynamic Mentorship Continues
Under Marco’s mentorship, my passion for teaching and learning grew stronger. Recognizing the need to prepare students for the demands of modern web engineering, we expanded our curriculum to include both frontend and data management aspects. Together, we set out to provide students with a holistic education that combined the power of AI with full stack development.
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Frajdi Malaj: LinkedIn
Marco Pegoraro: LinkedIn
GitHub
Unleashing AI in Full Stack Web Engineering
We recognized the potential of AI in streamlining the full stack web development process. By integrating AI-powered tools and frameworks, we showcased how AI can automate repetitive tasks, enhance data analysis, and optimize frontend and backend operations. Students gained hands-on experience with AI-driven development workflows, enabling them to build scalable and intelligent applications efficiently.
Mastering Frontend Development with React JS
Frontend development is a crucial component of web engineering, and we guided our students in harnessing the power of React JS. We covered the fundamentals of React JS, including component-based architecture, state management, and reusable UI components. Through practical exercises and projects, students learned to build dynamic and responsive user interfaces with efficiency and elegance.
Data Management with PostgreSQL
A robust understanding of data management is essential for building powerful web applications. We introduced students to PostgreSQL, a popular and versatile relational database management system. Students learned to design and optimize database schemas, perform complex queries, and ensure data integrity. With the aid of AI-powered data analysis techniques, students gained insights and enhanced their decision-making capabilities.
Building Full Stack Applications with Hasura
To provide students with a comprehensive view of full stack development, we incorporated Hasura, an open-source tool that simplifies backend development. Students explored the capabilities of Hasura, such as GraphQL API generation, real-time updates, and authorization. Leveraging AI, we showcased how Hasura could enhance development speed and efficiency while ensuring secure and scalable backend operations.
Pair teaching is the best.
Teaching web engineering is a challenging endeavour, as mentors must navigate various unknown factors to ensure effective lessons and engagement. Factors such as the audience’s skill level, the mentors’ depth of technical training, and maintaining student engagement throughout the lessons can pose significant difficulties. As a mentor-student duo, Marco and I developed tactics to address these challenges and create a conducive learning environment for all.
Firstly, Marco initiated the course by introducing the stack we would be using throughout the lessons. He had designed a fully automated environment for the students, but given his extensive experience, some students could feel overwhelmed and develop impostor syndrome. That’s when I stepped in, taking on a teaching approach that catered to beginners. By adopting a junior-style exploration method, I ensured that no student would be left behind, regardless of their skill level or the pace at which they absorbed new concepts. This approach kept the students hooked and allowed them to extract the maximum value from each lesson.
Additionally, Marco and I shared our collaborative working experiences with the students. We opened up about both the positive aspects and challenges of working in prominent tech companies. By doing so, we aimed not only to mentor the students but also to inspire them to persevere in the face of obstacles. Through our stories, we instilled in them the belief that they too could overcome any challenges they may encounter on their engineering journeys.
By addressing the skill diversity among students, maintaining an engaging teaching style, and offering insights into our professional experiences, we ensured that our lessons were effective and inclusive. Our goal was to empower every student to push beyond their perceived limitations and thrive in the field of web engineering.