From Coding To Communicating: Perspective Beyond The Screen!

I am a senior Media Arts and Design major with a concentration in Converged Media and Art minor…but if you ask any of the fellow tutors I am the “web girl”. This tutoring opportunity has really opened my eyes to the significance of a SMAD degree. Even though I prefer to design for the web versus back end coding, I realize the value of understanding code when students want to customize their website templates as well as the ability to communicate the coding language to peers who may not have ever seen HTML.

I am currently working with students in the Elementary Education program and I have found that my coding skills have been indispensable when these students want help customizing their templates. However, the real skill set I’ve developed working with students of ranging personalities and technology experience is translating my expertise with code to new audiences.

As Digital Communication tutors, we are regularly pushed outside of our comfort zones. We may be working on a platform we are familiar with; however, we may not be familiar with the student’s field or the terminology they use. This has been an eye opening experience because we have to know how to communicate ideas in new environments and with people who may not initially understand the concept. As a SMAD graduate I will most likely work on a creative team for a business and it is important to know how to communicate to other departments as well as to my supervisors.

In this job, I have developed an invaluable trait: perseverance with clients. There’s something about peer tutoring that makes you feel accountable and willing to push yourself to find the solution. I don’t want to let a student down since I know how frustrating web assignments can be. In most scenarios I have found my most valuable tool is looking at the project from an outside perspective. The next challenge is then empowering the student to find the solution WITH you instead of giving them the answer,---which brings me to my favorite part of this experience: ---hands off tutoring.

Hands off tutoring will be the testament of my ability to communicate my Digital Communication knowledge to a peer. At first the students in the classroom were confused and frustrated that I wouldn’t touch their mouse to scroll through the code. However, it is very rewarding to see someone engaged and feel proud that they understand something that was once scary. Sometimes these hands off sessions take only a few minutes to fix an aesthetic element on their page, other times the request may be more complicated and involve twenty or thirty minutes of trying new ideas and troubleshooting. Trying is definitely a verb I use in this position every time I tutor. I definitely do not know everything there is about coding, and I let students know we are going to have to insert, delete, or type a couple of things since every template is different. Perseverance in these consultations has helped me push myself in not only personal design projects, but also in other areas of my life. I realize I need to embody the patience and dedication I instill in others and my friend told me a great phrase “The moment you say ‘I can’t’ is when it is all over”, which has helped me to stay motivated in my job application and half marathon training.

Ultimately what I love about tutoring is that no two sessions are the same. I realized after two internships and six semesters of college that I will never be able to sit in front of a computer all day. I enjoy interacting with people and know I will need to look for a team dynamic when I apply for a job in the design/interactive field. Team Digicomm has been a great place to start and grow!

My Weebly portfolio is www.laurenstearns.weebly.com and my personal website is www.laurenstearns.com.