Featured on “Another Bright Spark” Podcast: Mentoring the Maker Movement
I recently had the pleasure of being interviewed by Neale Mighall on the “Another Bright Spark” podcast, powered by Ignys Ltd, an award-winning ethical electronics design consultancy. Our conversation covered everything from my journey out of academia to the challenges and opportunities of AI in engineering education.
From university lecturer to online educator
One of the most significant topics we explored was my decision to leave a 15-year career in university teaching to start Tech Explorations in 2013. As I shared with Neale, I had grown frustrated with the repetitive nature of academic life—teaching the same subjects year after year while technology raced ahead. “I felt like I was trapped in a time bubble,” I explained, describing how this led to my cardinal rule: never repeat myself again.
The timing couldn’t have been better. Just as I was exploring online education, the maker movement was gaining momentum, and platforms like Udemy were emerging as viable alternatives to traditional classroom teaching. I was fortunate to be one of the early adopters, riding the wave of what I now call the “maker revolution.”
Building and managing online communities
During our conversation, I opened up about the challenges of managing multiple online communities across different platforms. With approximately 140,000 students on Udemy, 20,000 in my direct Tech Explorations community, and over 16,000 YouTube subscribers, the scale of interaction became overwhelming. I candidly shared how I once spent three hours daily answering student questions, eventually reaching a burnout state that required a complete strategic rethink.
The solution? A more segmented approach that includes a premium community for dedicated learners and a free “maker club” where members help each other. As I noted in the interview, “I see myself as a jack of all trades,” but the community includes specialists who often know far more than I do in their particular areas—like the member who helped with Linux kernel cross-compilation on Raspberry Pi.
Advice for aspiring engineers
When Neale asked about advice for young engineers, I emphasized the importance of broad exposure in the early years, followed by focused specialization. “Spend the first few years exploring,” I advised, encouraging students to join maker clubs, attend conferences, and talk to professionals in the field. The technological landscape is so vast today that young minds need time to discover where their true passions lie before diving deep.
I also stressed the value of getting hands-on experience in companies that are ahead of the curve in specific technologies, noting that “many companies are far ahead in the game in particular technologies than academic institutions.”
The double-edged sword of AI
Perhaps one of the most thought-provoking parts of our discussion centered on artificial intelligence’s impact on engineering education. I described AI as having “the good, the bad, and the ugly” aspects. For experienced engineers, AI serves as an incredible productivity multiplier—I can now get AI to write complex Arduino code that connects to WiFi, sends data, and provides email notifications, all flawlessly.
However, I expressed genuine concern about students who might become overly dependent on AI without developing their own problem-solving muscles. “The brain is a muscle. If you don’t train it, you lose it,” I warned, emphasizing that while AI can accelerate learning for those who understand the fundamentals, it can be dangerous for those who use it as a substitute for thinking.
Looking toward more complex challenges
The interview also touched on the evolution of my course content, particularly my progression into more complex PCB design. Students increasingly want to tackle higher-speed circuits and miniaturized components—essentially designing computer-level systems. This has inspired my next course project: designing a complete computer with high-speed interfaces, RAM, and complex integrated circuits.
The full conversation
This brief overview only scratches the surface of our engaging 37-minute conversation. Neale and I also discussed my childhood fascination with technology (dating back to my first digital watch and VHS recorders), the challenges of early online course creation, and much more.
You can listen to the complete interview and read the full transcript on the Another Bright Spark podcast episode page. I think you’ll find it both informative and inspiring, whether you’re an experienced engineer or someone just starting their journey in technology.
The podcast regularly features fascinating conversations with people in and around electronics and technology. Definitely worth adding to your listening queue!