Design For People, Not Just Features with Charly Leetham
In a world where technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, many small businesses and educators struggle to keep up. In this episode of the Designing with Love podcast, host Jackie Pelegrin speaks with Charly Leetham, the founder and CEO of Ask Charly Leetham, who specializes in demystifying complex technology for everyday users. Together, they explore the importance of making tech accessible and how educators can apply these principles in classrooms and online programs.
Charly's Journey into Technology
Charly's passion for technology began at a young age, influenced by her father, who introduced her to electronics and coding. Growing up in an era where outdoor play was encouraged, Charly learned to approach challenges with curiosity and a hands-on attitude. This foundation led her to pursue an Associate Diploma in Electronic Engineering, where she thrived in practical, real-world applications of tech.
The Birth of Ask Charly Leetham
After a diverse career that included sales management and field service tech roles, Charly experienced burnout while managing a franchise. This pivotal moment prompted her to establish her own business, driven by the need to support her family while helping others navigate their tech challenges. Charly emphasizes that her approach is not just about providing solutions; it's about empowering individuals to understand and solve their tech problems independently.
Understanding Different Learning Styles
Charly and Jackie discuss the significance of recognizing that not everyone learns in the same way. As educators, they highlight the necessity of meeting learners where they are, acknowledging varying levels of understanding and different learning styles. This understanding is crucial in both tech support and educational environments, where the goal is to facilitate learning rather than overwhelm students.
The Importance of First Principles
One of the key insights shared by Charly is the importance of teaching from first principles rather than rote memorization. By explaining the underlying concepts behind technology and processes, educators can help learners grasp the rationale behind their actions, fostering deeper understanding and retention. Charly illustrates this with her tech background, emphasizing that understanding the "why" behind a formula or process makes it easier for learners to troubleshoot and innovate.
Applying Tech Principles in Educational Settings
Charly draws parallels between her work with small businesses and the educational sector. She suggests that educators should focus on the objectives of their learners, rather than strictly following a prescribed curriculum. By understanding what students want to achieve, educators can offer relevant and practical guidance that resonates with their goals, ultimately enhancing the learning experience.
Conclusion and Key Takeaway
Charly's journey and insights provide valuable lessons for both small business owners and educators alike. By simplifying complex technology and acknowledging diverse learning styles, we can create a more inclusive and effective learning environment. Key takeaways include the importance of understanding first principles, meeting learners where they are, and fostering a culture of empowerment in both tech support and education.
🔗 Website and Social Links:
Please visit Charly Leetham’s website and social media links below.
📢 Call-to-Action: If today’s conversation sparked ideas about simplifying your tech, visit Charly’s website to explore her resources on making technology more manageable. Choose one current course or project you’re working on and use one of Charly’s tips or takeaways to clean up, streamline, or stabilize the tech behind it this month.
Photo by Lukas: https://www.pexels.com/photo/two-pens-beside-macbook-296115/
Instructional Designer, Author, College Professor, and Podcast Host
Jackie, an Arizona native, leverages decades of experience as an instructional designer within both higher education and the corporate world. She holds an MBA and a Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology, both acquired through online learning. In addition to her full-time role, Jackie serves as an adjunct instructor, teaching online courses at Grand Canyon University. During her leisure time, she delights in reading books across a range of genres, enjoying movies and TV shows, playing games, listening to uplifting music, and spending quality time with her family and friends.
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