Fellow educators, have you ever felt overwhelmed by the complexity of juggling course content, assignments, and student engagement? As I revisited Steve Jobs’ 1997 staff meeting at Apple, I couldn’t help but draw parallels between his approach to revitalizing a company and our mission to create impactful learning experiences. Here are eight key takeaways from his talk and how we can apply them to our teaching.
Steve Jobs started by emphasizing the need to "get back to the basics" of great products, marketing, and distribution.
In teaching, this means paring down our courses to focus on foundational knowledge and skills. Overloading students with too much content can dilute their learning experience. Instead, let’s hone in on what’s essential—those core ideas that will stay with them long after the semester ends.
Jobs boldly eliminated 70% of Apple’s product roadmap, simplifying the portfolio to improve quality.
In our classrooms, we can do the same by reducing the breadth of topics and focusing on a few key areas where students can dive deep. Quality always trumps quantity when it comes to student comprehension and application.
"We’re going to let the customer tell us what they want," Jobs said, referring to Apple’s shift toward customer-driven innovation.
For us, the “customers” are our students. Use their feedback to shape your teaching approach. Whether it’s through surveys or in-class discussions, understanding what resonates with your students can help create a more engaging and personalized learning experience.
Jobs asked, "Who is Apple, and what does it stand for?"
This is a great question for us to reflect on as educators. What is the purpose of our course? Beyond the syllabus, what values are we instilling? When students know the "why" behind their learning, it adds meaning and context, helping them connect their education to the bigger picture.
Jobs reminded his team that Apple’s core value is its belief that "people with passion can change the world for the better."
What if we instilled that same belief in our students? Encourage them to think creatively, challenge norms, and envision how their learning can have a real-world impact. Sometimes, all it takes is a professor’s belief in their potential to ignite something extraordinary.
Here’s one of my favorite Jobs quotes: "Here’s to the crazy ones... the ones who see things differently."
In our classrooms, we often encounter students who think outside the box or challenge the status quo. Let’s celebrate them! Diverse perspectives are invaluable, and our support can give students the confidence to pursue bold ideas.
"It’s not about speeds and feeds. It’s about what we stand for," Jobs said about Apple’s marketing strategy.
As educators, we can apply this by focusing on quality over quantity in our assignments, lectures, and interactions. Let’s ensure everything we ask of our students aligns with the core objectives of our course, making every activity meaningful.
Jobs expressed excitement about "breaking some new ground" with innovative approaches.
Similarly, we should embrace new teaching tools and methods—whether it’s integrating technology, exploring flipped classrooms, or designing collaborative projects. Innovation keeps our teaching fresh and our students engaged.
Jobs’ vision in 1997 wasn’t just about saving Apple; it was about redefining what it meant to be extraordinary. In our classrooms, we have the opportunity to do the same—by simplifying, inspiring, and connecting with our students in meaningful ways.
So, fellow educators, let’s take a page out of Jobs’ playbook. Here’s to the passionate ones, the inspiring ones, and the educators who are shaping the world—one student at a time.
What lessons from Jobs resonate with you? I’d love to hear your thoughts!