puyo/microcourses — pull request #3 by joshuapaling (2013-11-07 05:26:34+00:00)
Title: Update read me with MicroCourse goals, restrictions, etc

So, I've added a bunch of stuff to read me. This is all completely open to other's input. Feel free to edit anything (or reject it completely!).

One of the most important things (open to discussion) is that I mention that the main goal of MicroCourses should be allowing informal mentor relationships to form. Learning to code should be secondary to that. (What's everyone think of that?)

I also have some related ideas on how I think it's best to move forward, and make the most of this without things getting too big / messy or anything. Again, all open to discussion. Here they are:

- I think the main initial goal should be to come up with 2 or 3 prototype MicroCourses, test them out, and get them really good. Figure out what works and what doesn't. Get feedback, etc.

- In the very short term, while we nut out some prototypes, I think keeping things within a small team would be best. I'm new to Rails so I don't know who that should be... whoever's keenest be be involved, I guess! Once we've got some good prototypes, the more people involved, the merrier!

- In terms of potential topics, there's more than you could poke a stick at. But keeping in mind the paradigm of choice, and keeping in mind quality over quantity, and keeping in mind the restrictions of an environment like Rails Camp, I think the goal should be to offer only maybe between 5 and 10 MicroCourses at next Rails Camp.

- Once we've got a good workflow, and some good example MicroCourses, etc, I think it would be awesome if Ruby AU took it on or something, and heaps of people got involved, created more courses, etc. Maybe grouped courses into modules, offered a more complete solution to learning Rails from the ground up. Even if that happened, I imagine there's likely still be a core set of the best, most fun MicroCourses, that work best in terms of allowing friendships and mentor relationships to form at RailsCamp.

The main thing I guess is that I think we need to get things a bit more organised and structured before growing it bigger. Again, just my thoughts, very open to hearing if people disagree.

Anyway, I'll shut up now. Congratulations if you read to the end! I went on longer than I intended!