[python-advocacy] [dfwPython] brainstorming new ways to teach Python 101

[Brad Allen]

I've gotten the relevant wiki pages for this posted, including
outgoing links for tutorial selection and volunteer registration.

http://pytexas.org/PythonTeachIn2010

On Sun, Aug 15, 2010 at 7:54 PM, Brad Allen <bradallen137 at gmail.com> wrote:
> After having a discussion with a friend who ran a university tutoring
> center, I'm convinced that an coordinated tutoring approach is worth a
> try for PyTexas. Let's call it the "Python Teach-In", unless anyone
> has a better name. The benefits include:
>
> * Beginners experience an engaged and helpful Python community
> * Beginners can be routed to tutorials relevant to their individual
> skill level and interests
> * Beginners can seek help in specific areas of need
> * Tutors can help beginners get setup for the Python Koans lab
> exercises later in the day
> * "Breaking the Ice" -- Forming social connection between beginners
> and veterans early in the day will break the ice for the "hallway
> track" and the RackSpace party in the evening
> * One-on-one tutoring is generally more effective than a lecture
> format, and I'm convinced that the result will create a lot of
> interest in Python at local universities.
> * Tutors who understand a subject well will find that they understand
> it better after tutoring
> * Tutoring greatly enhances your ability to communicate what you understand.
> * Tutoring volunteers experience the satisfaction of helping make
> PyTexas a success, and of building the local Python community.
>
> Of course, this effort requires a lot of volunteer tutors and a few
> volunteer tutorial coordinators. I won't ask them to do a lot of
> advance preparation, especially with only two weeks notice. Instead,
> let's put together a plan which will allow tutors to rely upon their
> existing knowledge and set an expectation that tutors are merely
> designated knowledgeable individuals with a willingness to help.
>
> Here's the plan I have in mind:
>
> * During the next two weeks, we'll select a repertoire of suggested
> tutorials, including the Python Koans. As the tutorial selection
> develops, we'll setup a wiki page to create links to the content. Any
> tutor volunteer will be free to add a favorite tutorial to the list.
> * The day before PyTexas, I'll burn a handful of CDs containing the
> tutorial content, to be given to tutorial coordinators. The plan for
> distibution will be to copy the content to flash drives and pass them
> around. There will also be an easily type-able download link.
> * Tutor volunteer preparion can be minimal; they will mainly draw upon
> their existing knowledge and briefly familiarize themselves with the
> content of one or more of the suggested tutorials. On the wiki they
> will register their name as a tutor volunteer, expected arrival time,
> and summarize any areas of special interest or expertise.
> * At the registration desk, attendees will be asked if they are
> beginners, tutors, or neither.  Tutors will be given a badge with a
> distinctive color, and directed to the see the tutorial coordinators.
> Beginners will also be given a distinctive badge color, and be asked
> to go to the tutorial room and start getting setup. If they don't have
> a laptop, Baylor students will be told they can check one out at the
> library.
> * At least one tutorial coordinators will handle receiving beginners
> into the tutorial room and interviewing them about what kind of
> tutorial they need.
> * Outside the tutorial room, a different tutorial coordinator will
> initially meet with tutors briefly discuss which tutorials or subject
> areas each tutor has the experience.
> * As new beginners and tutors arrive, the coordinators will move back
> and forth between areas handling introductions and assisting in
> getting people situated in the right places.
> * The tutorial coordinators will attempt to arrange one-on-one
> tutoring as much as possible, but will keep tabs on what is happening
> and may be able to adjust if several students all want the same basic
> tutorial.
> * The main tutorial room will probably be the large 70 seat room; that
> should ensure everyone is mostly in the same place at by 11am for the
> main part of the conference to be kicked off. However, we need to do
> some analysis on this; other rooms may be better suited for
> rearranging desks along the walls into a formation which better
> encourages collaboration.
> * By 11am, most tutors will be released from tutoring, while a few
> hardy tutors remain to help students as they progress on additional
> lab exercises over the next hour or two. Some tutors may find the
> experience of tutoring so rewarding and interesting that they have
> more than enough energy to carry on additional tutoring through the
> day. Of course, they'll get a break as the various beginner talks
> start up.
>
> Now that this is forming into a specific plan, we can take this
> discussion back to the main PyTexas mailing list into a new topic
> thread to facilitate the details of this effort and round up
> volunteers. Anyone outside the Texas region interested in following
> the progress of this effort should stay tuned to the PyCon blog, where
> we'll occasionally post status updates. And of course, those of you in
> Texas not signed up to the PyTexas list...should register here:
>
> http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/texas%20mailing%20list
>