Instructor kickstart program

This page describes the instructor kickstart program.

Other background information

The CodeRefinery instructor training is a longer version of this that is more about the philosophy and has less concrete practice. This page has the basic sessions that new instructors should do to prepare.

Session 1: General motivation (1hr + 2-3 day follow-up)

This happens well before the course, as early as practical.

Preparation: Generally have an idea about the CodeRefinery teaching style (have watched a course before, or maybe seen this 15-minute video with examples.

We will:

  • A motivational meeting about what it’s like to be an instructor. Here the inside story from someone who’s done it.

  • Go over the various material that you should read yourself (hear at least one person’s own opinion on it)

Follow-up:

  • Read everything in the instructor section of the manuals (left sidebar of this site).

  • Read the lesson review checklist material (left sidebar).

  • Begin working with your co-instructor on preparing the lesson, deciding how you want to teach, etc. Team teaching, Teaching plan. (If this is your first time, hopefully your co-instructor takes the lead on any possible lesson changes. Try to avoid changes though!)

  • Ask your co-instructor for their advice on becoming a new instructor and to mentor you.

Meeting 2: Team teaching practice (2hr + 2-3 day follow-up)

This happens a few weeks before the course.

We will:

  • Go through the team teaching practice.

  • The purpose is to practice coordination with your co-instructor and the director. Go through the basic mechanics.

  • Most practice is with very simple toy problems (e.g. “make a git repo”), so extensive lesson prep isn’t needed.

  • It may or may not include some livestream practice.

  • Talk about how the prep is going in general.

Follow-up:

  • Finish all the lesson preparation.

  • Practice team teaching with your co-instructor (ideally a full run-through)

  • Get all the instructor tech setup done (everything from the sidebar, see Instructor checklists).

  • Ask the instructor trainer (or anyone else) advice on the lessons.

Meeting 3: Livestream practice and final instructor test (1-2hr)

This happens a few days before the teaching.

Preparation: Make sure all the instructor technical setup is done (computer setup, audio, screenshare), so you can get final feedback on your exact setup. All the final checklist stuff.

We will:

  • Do a whole test with your computer + practice livestream

  • You will practice the first 5 minutes of your lesson, going to a break, last 5 minutes, maybe a Q&A. Whatever we have time for.

  • There’s some duplication of the previous session, now it’s time to refine it.

Follow-up:

  • Improve any problems that you found.

  • Final prep with co-instructor.

Teach!

Relax, it’s not so hard. You have a huge support network for anything that may go wrong, and will get continual feedback even during the course.