[OSCTC-planning] alternative event framework

[Shauna Gordon-McKeon]

I was definitely thinking there would be an orientation table.  This helps
late arrivals get up to speed as well as providing newcomers with some
one-on-one guidance about where to start.  Someone interested in doing user
testing, for instance, might find out from the orientation table that they
can skip the git table, and someone who isn't sure what project to work on
could talk through whether to go to one of the specific project tables, a
skill-based table, etc.  Basically, the person at the orientation table
would have to have a good overview of the event in their mind and the
different options.

The mentors at tables could also coordinate with helpers on IRC.  So they
could say, "I don't know the answer to your question about git branching,
but maybe the folks in #openhatch-git or #git do."



On Sat, Oct 11, 2014 at 5:22 PM, Heidi Ellis <ellis at wne.edu> wrote:

>  Hi Folks,
>
>
>
> I like the “skill table” approach in general.  I’m just not sure how it
> works with complete newbies. Those folks who sort of know what open source
> is and come to an OSCTC wanting to learn more, but don’t know what git is
> or even version control in general.  Is there also a “newbies” table?  An
> orientation table?
>
> Heidi
>
>
>
> *From:* OSCTC-planning [mailto:osctc-planning-bounces at lists.openhatch.org]
> *On Behalf Of *Shauna Gordon-McKeon
> *Sent:* Friday, October 03, 2014 12:54 PM
> *To:* Planning for Open Source Comes to Campus
> *Subject:* Re: [OSCTC-planning] alternative event framework
>
>
>
> I've thought more about this idly.  A proposed structure:
>
>
>
> - The setup would be a few, let's say 4-10, tables assigned to specific
> topics.  For instance, one table might be the git table, and another might
> be the communications tools table, and another might be the opportunities
> table.  Mentors who want to help students contribute to a specific project
> would also have their own tables.  Each table would, ideally, have one or
> more people who feel very comfortable with the table's topic.
>
>
>
> - The event, which can be highly variable in length, begins with some sort
> of group intro + icebreaker activity to explain the setup and remind
> attendees of a few key ideas:
>
>      - Move around: Feel free to spend as much or as little time as you
> want at each table, and to move tables as you need to.  If you're at the
> "Contribute to $project" table and having trouble with git, go over to the
> git table.  If you feel like you've learned all you need to know about IRC,
> move on to something new.
>
>      - Try to help others: If you're sitting at the git table, and have
> heard the mentor give an answer before - try to give it yourself!  If you
> get something wrong the mentor will gladly explain it.
>
>
>
> - There could perhaps be an 'orientation table' for late arrivals and
> anyone feeling adrift.  This mentor could help folks figure out what they
> want to work on and where to start.
>
>
>
>
>
> On Mon, Sep 29, 2014 at 4:44 PM, Shauna Gordon-McKeon <shaunagm at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> Below is an excerpt from a discussion with Britta on #openhatch.  I'm
> interesting in hearing peoples' thoughts!
>
>
>
> "There's a lot of tension between trying to make events easier for local
> organizers to run and trying to create flexible events that allow multiple
> approaches for multiple learners. I wonder if there's a way of reimagining
> the event framework to resolve this tension, or whether it's an inherent
> tension.
>
>
>
> So my housemates Katie and Will run a summer camp and unschooling center (<
> http://partsandcrafts.org/>).  Their approach is to encourage both
> counselors and kids to come up with project ideas that they find inherently
> worthwhile and exciting. The first time I went, I was disappointed that
> only a few kids wanted to try my project, but I eventually adapted.  Katie
> and Will focus on teaching counselors and kids how to operate in such a
> space: how to ask for help, how to think through obstacles, and on
> expectations-setting for the space.
>
>
>
> If we were to run the "Parts and Crafts" version of OSCTC, we would get
> mentors who were enthusiastic about teaching specific things,
> expectations-set with them about the approach and give them general
> teaching/mentoring guidance, and let students choose what they want to work
> on. Letting students go from group to group as they were satisfied that
> they knew all they wanted to about X or Y or Z. "Oh, you're not familiar
> with git?  Neither am I, but Jane over at the table by the door is teaching
> folks how to use it."
>
>
>
> This structure is probably worth trying for a single event,
> experimentally! Maybe I'll try to set aside some time for a Boston-area
> event with this structure that I could personally attend and run."
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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>
>
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