[PyAR2] pyArkansas - 7 days out

[Greg Lindstrom]

Here's my thinking (and yours may vary)-

We typically have many people show up who have never programmed before.
They don't know how to write "hello, world" and need extensive
hand-holding.  We also have people who have coded (or are in CS courses,
etc) who don't need or want a course presented to them and would rather have
a set-up where they can progress at their own pace.  Having the two courses
run at the same time is an attempt to give both what they want/need.

Two complaints we have had the past two years is the the intro to
programming class was "too basic" and that there were no classes for
intermediate/advance Pythonisitas in the morning.  Hopefully, my "there's
more than one way to do it" line of thinking won't get me into any trouble
:-).



On Sat, Oct 9, 2010 at 9:30 AM, Brad Allen <bradallen137 at gmail.com> wrote:

> It seems like a bad idea having the Python Teach-In scheduled against
> the Introduction to Python.
>
> Maybe we should keep the Intro to Python in the morning, but try
> having the Python Teach-In afterward and just rename it to "Lab
> Exercises: Python Koans".  The "Python Teach-In" concept won't really
> fly unless it is coordinated with registration to wrangle all the
> experienced Pythoneers into being tutors at the start of the day.
> However, if the goal/expectation is only lab exercises, it won't
> require a small army of Python tutors; I can run it with only one or
> two experienced Python developers to help. Once people students get
> going through the Koans, they will only need help occasionally when
> they get stuck.
>
>
> On Sat, Oct 9, 2010 at 8:25 AM, Greg Lindstrom <gslindstrom at gmail.com>
> wrote:
> > We're in the homestretch.  My thanks to everyone working to make this
> happen
> > (and there are quite a few of you!).  Here's the (pretty close to) final
> > schedule:
> >
> > 8:30-9:00 - Registration
> >
> > 9:00-10:15: Morning Session I
> > A.  Introduction to Python (Dr. Carl Burch)
> > B.  Python Teach-In (Brad Allen and Volunteers)
> > C.  Data Visualization with Python (W. Emeneker)
> > D.  Intro to the Google Application Engine (Chris Harris)
> >
> > 10:15-10:30 - Break.  Allow people to deposit their tickets for door
> prizes.
> >
> > 10:30-11:30 - Morning Session II
> > A.  Introduction to Python (cont)
> > B.  Python Teach In (cont)
> > C.  Introduction to GUI Programming (Wayne Werner)
> > D.  Web Security and Django (Chad Files)
> > 11:30-1:00 - Lunch on your own.
> >
> > 1:00-2:00
> > A.  Simple Game Design (Dr. Bernard Chen)
> > B.  Blender I (Gordon Fisher)
> > C.  Web Framework Overview (Gloria W. Jacobs)
> > D.  Scientific Computing (W. Emeneker)
> >
> > 2:00-3:00
> > A.  Python Packages (Jeff Rush)
> > B.  Blender II
> > C.  MongoDB (Gloria W. Jacobs)
> > D.  Python Meets 3-D CAD (30 min, Nicholas Seward)/Real-time Image
> > Processing (30 min, Dr. Gabriel Ferrer )
> >
> > 3:00-4:00
> > A.  What Does This Code Do? (Jeff Rush)
> > B.  Concurrency (Gloria W. Jacobs)
> > C.  Freeseer - A Live Presentation Recording Application (L.J.
> Estorninos)
> > D.  Open Space
> >
> > Gloria has agreed to present a class on MongoDB.  If you are into
> database
> > applications you will want to see this!  Mongo also sent some cool
> stickers
> > to put out for swag.  Jeff Rush will present a class on packages and
> > distribution.  It makes for a killer line up of classes.  Kelley, would
> you
> > update the web page (thanks for all of your help, btw).
> >
> > Since schedules for mini-conferences remain pretty fluid up to the day of
> > the conference, I want to propose the following to help assign rooms (we
> > have 4 rooms; 2 large (40 people) and 2 small (24 people)).  I will make
> > 8-1/2 x 11 inch signs for each class and use either sticky-tack or
> > architectural tape to make a master schedule on the wall of the hallway
> at
> > UCA.  This way, classes can be moved from small to large or large to
> small
> > on the fly.  When people register, they will be handed 15 raffle tickets
> and
> > some adhesive dots.  Using the dots, they will indicate which classes
> they
> > are likely to attend by placing a dot on the sign for each class.  We can
> > then arrange the classes with more dots to the larger rooms.  Not exactly
> > scientific, but I think it will work.
> >
> > Brad Allen (Texas Users Group) is going to get more information
> concerning
> > the "Teach-In".  It's an independent study type class using some very
> cool
> > software.  Students are able to work at their own pace while helpers
> > circulate.  It's an innovative idea that, I hope, will have quite a few
> > takers.  We also have the traditional classroom presentation by Dr. Burch
> as
> > well as some more advanced classes for experienced Pythonistas.
> >
> > All rooms will have a projector and computers for all students.
> Attendees
> > are welcome to bring their own machines, of course.
> >
> > If you are teaching a class and want/need additional software installed
> > please let me know ASAP.  UCA will install just about anything, but they
> > would like some lead time.   I have asked about temporary accounts from
> UCA
> > so attendees could have Internet access but have not heard back on it.
> > Michael is on this email and, perhaps, he can give a yes/no on it?
> >
> > All speakers are invited to a post conference dinner (location to be
> > decided).  We may have a short meeting after the conference to discuss
> what
> > went well and what to improve on next year (and next year we are going to
> > try some new ideas).
> >
> > If I've missed anything please let me know (and be gentle).
> >
> > Thanks!
> > --greg
> >
>
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