The Rein Effect: What Makes Online Learning at Masterschool So Unique

Tell us a bit about yourself. What’s your background?

My name is Rein. I’m a programmer and a programming teacher, born and raised in Amsterdam. My career path is not conventional. At university, I studied medicine, then philosophy, then started to pursue music. I was a procrastinator and couldn’t commit – I never stuck to one thing for a long time.

So how did you end up as a software engineer – and a teacher?

About ten years ago, I realized I didn’t have a career and I also didn’t have a degree. I felt like a bit of a failure, I didn’t have much confidence and I just didn’t know what I wanted to do. I had always been good at teaching and explaining things to others, so I studied education and began teaching kids at a primary school. One day, with some friends, I helped to organize a programming lesson for my students. The instructor was terrible and the explanation was too difficult for the kids, yet the lesson was still a huge success. The kids were so engaged and excited to code themselves – I was fascinated.

Want more about learning at Masterschool? Watch a coding lesson with Rein here.

So, you quit teaching and became a programmer?

Not yet! After I saw firsthand how fun programming could be, I taught some simple lessons to my own class and even learned a programming language specifically designed for children. But it didn’t take long for me to become interested in learning more. 

So, then you quit teaching to become a programmer?

Then, I told my advisor at teaching school I was going to take a few months break to take a programming course and get a job in tech for a few months to develop my skills and enrich my knowledge. Well, my temporary teaching “break” ended up being a permanent break, because software development turned out to be so much fun. 

I programmed for startups, for a FinTech app, I built a user interface for the robot that could build custom furniture. I worked on web shops, I worked on a system for container ships, all kinds of weird stuff. Eventually I got an invitation to teach at the course I took myself. It was really fun to teach adults and because I’d built some actual programs in the real world, I actually had experience doing what I was teaching.

So, that’s how it all started. Since 2018, I’ve been teaching programming to adults in person and online.

How would you summarize your approach to online education?

In one sentence: I try to make education NOT anonymous.

How?

By making my lessons personalized and interactive. By proactively checking in to see how my students are doing. By encouraging students to study together. I try to offer a collaborative activity every day. 

In an online environment, unlike a physical classroom, we have to collaborate a lot in order to feel human, to feel good about learning. That keeps students showing up, and keeps them motivated. It should not just be me downloading info into your brain. Education can easily become a list of stuff to learn “just because”. I feel it’s my job to excite students about the topics I teach. I try not to be too serious all the time. Education for adults is often so “professional” that it becomes bland. I hate that! 

Listen, I’m an expert on failing courses, because I failed so many university courses. So I always try to normalize it all: let them know that the challenges of learning are real, whether it’s online or in person.

What is the advantage of studying online for a job in tech?

I actually think that learning online is really good preparation for the real world, because today it’s common that you have at least some days working from home. Definitely as a software engineer, but many other tech professions allow for this, too.

Online learning is much more powerful because it’s more accessible. You save time by not having to go anywhere – you can just log into a classroom. Also, reviewing the material later is simple, because recording a session is very easy. You have an easier time catching up later if you need to miss a session.

I’ve taught both in person and online, so I know both environments well – and online learning does pose its own set of challenges.

What are the challenges of learning something new online, rather than in a physical classroom?

You have to get used to using a whole new set of tools that you may have never used before, for example Zoom for video chatting and Slack to stay in a sort of classroom environment. It’s not hard, but for many, it’s new. 

The other thing is, your computer is also an entertainment platform. If you turn off your camera during a lesson and turn on Netflix – I will have no idea. After listening to anyone talk for an hour and a half, you will be tempted to do something else, but in a physical classroom, maybe it’s easier to stay focused. You’re there with everybody in the same room. But paying attention is a challenge, online or not.

What’s it actually like to learn at Masterschool? Sit in on a real coding lesson with Rein here.

What else can be difficult for students studying online?

Asking questions can be intimidating. In a classroom, you just walk up to the teacher and ask. The chance you’ll ask that same question in an online setting is much lower. And asking questions is SO important! Important for the student o receive clarification, beneficial for other students in the session, and it’s great feedback for me that I need to explain a topic a different way or more in-depth. 

I try to keep the online space safe in order to encourage students to ask questions, and I coach them on how to ask good questions. This is a very underrated skill! 

I think another one of the biggest challenges for students is the social aspect of the online classroom. In a physical classroom, you take a break, you go to a coffee shop and you’re like, oh, where are you from? It’s easier to become friends.

In an online class, how do you make sure all students are getting the attention they need?

While I’m teaching, I make sure to look around at students’ faces in my virtual classroom and spot if someone looks like something’s wrong. I also talk between sessions with students to try to gauge how they are doing.

In an online space, there are a couple of warning signs I am always watching out for.

What are those warning signs?

First of all, attendance: if a student does not show up to live sessions, that’s a red flag. Maybe they don’t understand the material and feel there’s no point showing up. 

The second thing: I observe the progress of students’ exercises. You can tell if they’re not actively working on their tasks and that’s a warning sign. Maybe they’re watching Netflix, maybe they don’t know how to get started, maybe something else is going on. So I proactively reach out and ask, Hey, what’s going on? 

Maybe it’s a bit intrusive. You might say, “it’s online learning, I can do it at any time I want”. But as your teacher, I want you to keep up. I want you to succeed.

So, what’s the secret to learning online successfully?

I’d say there’s three key ingredients. First, engagement: show up, do the work, put in the time and effort, focus. 

Second, be interdependent. Look for your own solutions. Even just starting with a Google search, a YouTube video – try to find the answer yourself. At the same time, don’t be afraid to ask for help and don’t wait too long. My job is to teach you. 

Third, keep trying. Believe that you can do it. I think that’s the hardest one for many students. If you don’t immediately understand something, well, you’re gonna have to try. And then try again, and stay motivated. Find a new strategy to work with this data or cybersecurity system.

How do you help students who are struggling?

I make my lessons as exciting and interesting as I can. I am accessible and available for questions and help. 

But I also encourage students to understand that learning comes with self doubt, confusion, and frustration. Struggling is a natural part of learning, the same way sweating is a natural part of working out at the gym. You don’t get upset if you’re sweaty at the gym, it’s part of exercising. I try to normalize talking about feelings when you’re studying.

And, I make it a point to explain why. Why do you need to learn this? How does our learning apply to the real world? When people understand the “why”, it’s easier for them to get on board. It helps with motivation.

What are the challenges of learning a new skill as an adult?

As an adult, you just assume that well, because you are an adult you can easily motivate yourself. You’re an adult, so you can stay organized yourself, you’re an adult, so you have no problem asking questions. 

I think this is a very poor understanding of how people work. We all have lessons to learn.  

Adults are learning on many different levels. Sometimes you’re learning strategy, learning how to learn. Or it’s a skill you’re learning, like Python or statistics. For some people, they are learning how to “get over themselves” in other ways. I was a big procrastinator. I didn’t do very well in school for years.

How is learning at Masterschool different from other online programs?

At Masterschool, every student has a personal mentor who is responsible for him and has his best interest in mind. We take the progress of each student very seriously. There are, of course, limits to what we can do – but our teachers and mentors really try their best to accommodate the different learning needs. Some people who have more experience need to be challenged, while some need more support.

Here, your progress is really being monitored. We are rooting for you to complete the program, get a job, and change your life. That’s what really set teaching for Masterschool apart for me.

Watch a real coding lesson with Rein here.

Any last words of advice to students who are beginning to study online?

My advice would be to find friends in your program, find a study buddy and study together. Two people together know more than one. And you can keep each other accountable.

Build a good working relationship with your mentor. Ask them questions. Figure out their schedule and how they can best help you.

And lastly, maybe this goes without saying, but – get offline. Make sure you are putting enough effort in online, but also take good care of your physical self, sleep, exercise, eat. Because sitting behind a computer full time is a serious commitment.