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Re: [Debian-NYC] Workshop #3 feedback



On Jan 25, 2010, at 1:35 AM, Richard Darst wrote:

> On Sat, Jan 23, 2010 at 10:31:44PM -0500, Hans-Christoph Steiner  
> wrote:
>
>> - use a computer that looks like theirs, like a plain old GNOME  
>> setup.
>
> This seems to be a perfect use of a Debian Live system - also solves
> the "well, I guess that was already installed" thing.
>
>> - avoid technical diversions while walking thru the processes.  Yes,
>> these are good for the advanced users, but for the newbies, its hard
>> to tell what's required and what extra info.
>
> This is a really good point, and solving this should be one of our key
> foci of future workshops.
>
> After the workshop, I saw how useful for answering questions which
> needn't be said aloud, and catching up.  We should probably make use
> of this more in the future.
>
> - get a whiteboard (or something) with a list of commands we run.
>  Helps if you get behind.
>
> - suggest advanced questions to be asked in IRC.  Try to use the IRC
>  side-channel efficiently.
>
> - say we'll go through it twice: once real simple, start to finish as
>  fast as we can (as is usually the goal!).  If a question is
>  advanced/a diversion, Keep it in a separate list (could be on the
>  board), and go back and do it again, with advanced commentary.


In teaching programming to newbies a lot, I have found that an  
alternating between lecturing and helping makes for a good approach.   
Basically, like this:

- everyone follows along
- walk thru the process up until something gets working
- then pause, and literally go around the room to help everyone get to  
that point
- newbies get help, advanced users play around with what they have
- repeat to get to the next stage

.hc


----------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have always wished for my computer to be as easy to use as my  
telephone; my wish has come true because I can no longer figure out  
how to use my telephone."  --Bjarne Stroustrup (creator of C++)

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