[OSCTC-planning] alternative event framework

[Heidi Ellis]

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<mailto: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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