Skip to content
New issue

Have a question about this project? Sign up for a free GitHub account to open an issue and contact its maintainers and the community.

Sign up for GitHub

By clicking “Sign up for GitHub”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy statement. We’ll occasionally send you account related emails.

Already on GitHub? Sign in to your account

Enhancing the guide's utility #6

Merged
merged 16 commits into from
Apr 17, 2013
Merged

Enhancing the guide's utility #6

Changes from 13 commits
Commits
Show all changes
16 commits
Select commit Hold shift + click to select a range
20b28e9
Fix typography.
lehmannro Apr 6, 2013
5c7787d
Highlight our goals.
lehmannro Apr 6, 2013
95e9157
Fix typography.
lehmannro Apr 6, 2013
4c26fbd
Emphasize the learners are always first.
lehmannro Apr 6, 2013
8011819
Fix typos.
lehmannro Apr 6, 2013
92a0934
Elaborate on how we put the learners first.
lehmannro Apr 6, 2013
53f6966
Note how the material is laid out.
lehmannro Apr 6, 2013
5fff34d
The keyboard, it is sacrosanct.
lehmannro Apr 6, 2013
72ce326
Catch some feedback.
lehmannro Apr 6, 2013
21d0282
Fix syntax.
lehmannro Apr 6, 2013
a5b99f7
Expand on the friendly environment.
lehmannro Apr 6, 2013
5e075d7
Fix style.
lehmannro Apr 6, 2013
342371d
Remove some redundant parts so everything fits neatly onto the slides.
lehmannro Apr 6, 2013
9f2a2aa
Remove mention of 'teaching.'
lehmannro Apr 16, 2013
5f05538
Avoid slang.
lehmannro Apr 16, 2013
2f9492e
Moved keyboard don't down.
lehmannro Apr 16, 2013
File filter

Filter by extension

Filter by extension
Conversations
Failed to load comments.
Loading
Jump to
Jump to file
Failed to load files.
Loading
Diff view
Diff view
91 changes: 77 additions & 14 deletions presentations/coaching/index.html
View file
Open in desktop
Original file line number Diff line number Diff line change
Expand Up @@ -68,18 +68,39 @@ <h2>Introduction to Coaching</h2>
<header>
<h2>The Material</h2>
</header>
<p>We strongly believe the best way to learn to code -- or any other tech-related subject, for that matter -- is with a hands-on, experience-oriented, and pragmatic workshop that someone can work through at their own pace. Our curricula are designed for exactly that purpose.</p>
<p>We strongly believe the best way to learn to code &mdash; or any other tech-related subject, for that matter &mdash; is with a <strong>hands-on</strong>, <strong>experience-oriented</strong>, and <strong>pragmatic</strong> workshop that someone can work through <strong>at their own pace</strong>. Our curricula are designed for exactly that purpose.</p>
<p>This is also reflected in the way we organise ourselves on site: there is no classroom-style setting; everyone has their own workspace instead. There is no teacher in front and no one going through the material with a presenter.</p>
</section>
</div></div>

<div class="slide" id="coaching_aint_teaching"><div>
<div class="slide" id="didactic_style"><div>
<section>
<header>
<h2>Coaching isn't teaching...</h2>
<h2>A note about the material</h2>
</header>
<p>in the sense that we are not standing in front and teaching here. Coaches</p>
<p>
<ul>
<li>At times, the material might seem unnecessarily dense to you, as if going through extra hoops.</li>
<li>Don't fret, that is on purpose!</li>
<li>We believe in teaching <em>the hard way</em>.</li>
Copy link
Member

Choose a reason for hiding this comment

The reason will be displayed to describe this comment to others. Learn more.

Please avoid the usage of the word "teaching" as it comes with a long list of not so positive behaviors. How about using "We believe in learning by exploration" - I find that more clear ...

Copy link
Contributor Author

Choose a reason for hiding this comment

The reason will be displayed to describe this comment to others. Learn more.

Valid point; fixed.

<li>That means teaching them a little unidiomatic style first, just to make them discover <strong>themselves</strong> how (and why!) to do it better. Example:
Copy link
Member

Choose a reason for hiding this comment

The reason will be displayed to describe this comment to others. Learn more.

avoid slang :P . How about "That means letting them use not-so-good style first, just to make them discover..."

Copy link
Contributor Author

Choose a reason for hiding this comment

The reason will be displayed to describe this comment to others. Learn more.

Done!

<ul>
<li>Writing an expression you want repeated out five times at first.</li>
<li>To make them understand how powerful and convenient loops are.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</p>
</section>
</div></div>

<div class="slide" id="coaching_aint_teaching"><div>
<section>
<header>
<h2>Coaching isn't teaching&hellip;</h2>
</header>
<p>in the sense that we are not standing in front and teaching here.</p>
<p>Coaches&hellip;
<ul>
<li>Stand by on the sidelines</li>
<li>Are right there when needed</li>
Expand All @@ -96,6 +117,7 @@ <h2>Coaching isn't teaching...</h2>
<section>
<header>
<h2>Creating a friendly environment</h2>
Atmosphere
</header>
<p>
Copy link
Member

Choose a reason for hiding this comment

The reason will be displayed to describe this comment to others. Learn more.

Why did you remove that line?

Copy link
Contributor Author

Choose a reason for hiding this comment

The reason will be displayed to describe this comment to others. Learn more.

It did not fit on the slide (the progress bar covers it in my browser) and the next few slides are all dedicated to only that.

Copy link
Member

Choose a reason for hiding this comment

The reason will be displayed to describe this comment to others. Learn more.

Ha. It works here - the problem of variable screen-sizes ...

Generally imho we should make the progress bar less intrusive but your remark is fair enough. Let's go with this for now.

<ul>
Expand All @@ -114,16 +136,17 @@ <h2>Creating a friendly environment</h2>
<div class="slide" id="friendly_environment_2"><div>
<section>
<header>
<h2>Creating a friendly environment, part 2</h2>
<h2>Creating a friendly environment</h2>
Encouragement
</header>
<p>
<ul>
<li>Assume everyone you're coaching has zero knowledge but infinite intelligence</li>
<li>Encourage learners to ask questions</li>
<li>Respond positively</li>
<li>Use normal language instead of slang</li>
<li>Make sure the learner understood what you said</li>
<li>and explain it again differently if that's not the case</li>
<li>Encourage learners to play around on their own</li>
<li>Whatever they do is great and beautiful!</li>
</ul>
</p>
</section>
Expand All @@ -132,15 +155,19 @@ <h2>Creating a friendly environment, part 2</h2>
<div class="slide" id="friendly_environment_3"><div>
<section>
<header>
<h2>Creating a friendly environment, part 3</h2>
<h2>Creating a friendly environment</h2>
Questions
</header>
<p>
<ul>
<li>Look around to see if someone else might be having trouble</li>
<li>They might just be afraid to ask</li>
<li>Come by once in a while and ask: "Hey, how is it going? Anything I can help you with?"</li>
<li>Before you start typing on a learners computer, ask whether that is okay with them</li>
<li>Encourage learners to play around on their own</li>
<li>Come by once in a while and ask: &ldquo;Hey, how is it going? Anything I can help you with?&rdquo;
<ul>
<li>This is a very powerful tool: It helps shy learners, builds rapport and increases engagement.</li>
<li>Another trick: Sit next to them and chat about what they are doing.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</p>
</section>
Expand All @@ -157,21 +184,21 @@ <h2>Questions are good!</h2>
<li>Emphasize that there is no such thing as "dumb" questions</li>
<li>Ask if learners have any questions</li>
<li>Give other learners the chance to try to answer that question</li>
<li>Coding is collaboration - make sure learners understand that</li>
<li>Coding is collaboration &mdash; make sure learners understand that</li>
</ul>
</p>
</section>
</div></div>

<div class="slide" id="repsonding_to_questions"><div>
<div class="slide" id="responding_to_questions"><div>
<section>
<header>
<h2>Responding to questions</h2>
</header>
<p>
Chances are, there is a specific question when the learner asks you to help them. How do you respond?
<ul>
<li><strong>Positevly</strong>:
<li><strong>Positively</strong>:
<ul>
<li>"I’m glad you asked that."</li>
<li>"What an interesting question!"</li>
Expand All @@ -180,11 +207,29 @@ <h2>Responding to questions</h2>
</ul>
</li>
<li>If in doubt: blame the material, never the learner.</li>
<li>Their interpretation of the material might be as good as ours!</li>
</ul>
</p>
</section>
</div></div>

<div class="slide" id="responding_to_questions_1"><div>
<section>
<header>
<h2>Responding to questions, aftermath</h2>
</header>
<p>
Question solved. Now what?
<ul>
<li>We strive to continuously improve our material.</li>
<li>Try to write down the notion of the question so you don't forget it.</li>
<li>File a ticket after the workshop (Github Issues.)</li>
</ul>
</p>
</section>
</div></div>


<div class="slide" id="pacing"><div>
<section>
<header>
Expand Down Expand Up @@ -234,6 +279,7 @@ <h2>Don'ts</h2>
</header>
<p>
<ul>
<li>We do not touch their keyboard</li>
Copy link
Member

Choose a reason for hiding this comment

The reason will be displayed to describe this comment to others. Learn more.

I disagree with this one. I don't see why not, if the learner is comfortable with it. This sounds like a very harsh rule especially in case you need to look something up to help them but don't have your own computer.

Copy link
Member

Choose a reason for hiding this comment

The reason will be displayed to describe this comment to others. Learn more.

Ok. with the next paragraph it becomes a bit clearer, but then especially I do not see, why this should be in this list - and on first position for that matter...

Copy link
Contributor Author

Choose a reason for hiding this comment

The reason will be displayed to describe this comment to others. Learn more.

You're right — it might be misplaced at the very top of the list, when there's much more important advice to be found. I moved it to the bottom.

<li>We do not hit on anyone or make sexually suggestive remarks</li>
<li>We do not roll our eyes or laugh at questions</li>
<li>We do not use the time to advertise our own companies/jobs/ourselves</li>
Expand All @@ -244,6 +290,23 @@ <h2>Don'ts</h2>
</section>
</div></div>

<div class="slide" id="donts_keyboard"><div>
<section>
<header>
<p>Their keyboard</p>
<h2>it is made of <strong style="color: red;">lava!</strong></h2>
</header>
<p>
<ul>
<li>Learners <strong>are</strong> going to drift away when you take over their keyboard.</li>
<li>Don't touch it.</li>
<li>If you absolutely, ultimatively <em>must</em> type something on their computer &mdash; chances are you don't &mdash;, ask whether that is okay with them.</li>
<li>And explain what you are doing.</li>
</ul>
</p>
</section>
</div></div>

<div class="slide" id="donts_languages"><div>
<section>
<header>
Expand Down