Teaching in the Age of AI: Learning Goals and the Goals of Learning

Developer education at Jane Street integrates technical mastery with pedagogical rigor, evolving to meet the challenges of modern software engineering. Aaron Bauer, a developer educator, explains how the firm balances software engineering with teaching, emphasizing the shift toward "learning goals" to structure curriculum. The discussion highlights the impact of AI on programming workflows, noting that LLMs necessitate a move toward more complex, open-ended projects that require human verification and deep understanding. Furthermore, the conversation explores the central role of text editors in the firm's development culture, where custom integrations facilitate code review and collaboration. By moving away from passive lectures toward active learning and mastery-based feedback, the firm aims to equip engineers with the skills to navigate increasingly automated environments while maintaining critical thinking and technical depth.