Who Teaches and Why?

• Our instructors are scientists in many career stages, from many fields
• Most are not computer scientists or software engineers
• "Conscious competence": still new enough to relate to beginners
• Many follow learner → helper → instructor path

Motivation

Motivation is the best predictor of learning.

1. Explain how these skills help your own research
2. Have learners sign up in groups
3. Follow learners' questions off the lesson
4. Have helpers give individual assistance

Demotivation

Avoid crushing their enthusiasm.

1. Enforce the code of conduct.
2. Avoid the passive dismissive "just".
3. Avoid cognitive overload.
4. If a problem can't be fixed quickly, have the person pair up.

Active Learning

Active learning beats passive observation.

1. Have learners type along as you teach.
2. Don't go more than 10 minutes without hands-on work.

Feedback

Everyone needs to know where they are.

1. Get real-time feedback ("OK/not OK") via colored sticky notes.
2. Get short written feedback ("minute cards") at every break.
3. Respond to the feedback even (especially) if it means teaching less.

Live Coding

No slides.

1. Start with a blank window — just like they will.
2. Having to type stops you from racing ahead.
3. Seeing you make mistakes gives them permission to.
4. Seeing you diagnose and fix mistakes shows them how to.

Pacing

People can't concentrate for more than an hour.

• Each major topic is 4 or 5 half-hour chunks over half a day.
• Get them out of their seats at each break.

Helpers

Never teach alone.

1. Former learners / local volunteers / the other instructor(s).
2. Help learners with setup and challenges, take notes on Etherpad, ...
3. Provide feedback to instructors.

Collaboration

Never learn alone.

1. Pair early, pair often.
2. Use Etherpad for note-taking and chat.
3. Use Git if/when learners are comfortable with it.

Assessment

Know your audience.

1. Pre-workshop survey drives workshop planning.
2. Challenges during workshops for formative assessment.
3. Post-workshop survey of learners...
4. ...and debriefing for instructors.

Learn More