From afa9dcd3d640bf31d54af914a0561b5034812086 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Willem van den Ende Date: Wed, 2 Sep 2026 14:58:15 +0100 Subject: [PATCH] Add learning-hour-design skill and update README - New pi skill to guide creation of Samman-style learning hours through learning goals, timetable, and the 4 C's - Updated README with links to Samman resources and 4C model --- .pi/skills/learning-hour-design/SKILL.md | 160 +++++++++++++++++++++++ README.org | 45 +++++-- 2 files changed, 196 insertions(+), 9 deletions(-) create mode 100644 .pi/skills/learning-hour-design/SKILL.md diff --git a/.pi/skills/learning-hour-design/SKILL.md b/.pi/skills/learning-hour-design/SKILL.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a5ee1fd --- /dev/null +++ b/.pi/skills/learning-hour-design/SKILL.md @@ -0,0 +1,160 @@ +--- +name: learning-hour-design +description: Design a 60-minute Samman-style Learning Hour. Use when creating, reviewing, or refining learning hours with the 4 C's (Connect, Concepts, Concrete Practice, Conclusions). Guides the user through learning goals, timing, and all four C's. +--- + +# Learning Hour Design Skill + +This skill helps Willem design learning hours following the Samman coaching format and the "4 C's" from *Training from the Back of the Room*. + +## References + +- Samman Learning Hour definition: https://sammancoaching.org/reference/learning_hour_definition.html +- Samman 4C model page: https://sammancoaching.org/activities/4C_model.html +- Samman Connect activities: https://sammancoaching.org/activities/connect.html +- Samman Concept activities: https://sammancoaching.org/activities/concept.html +- Samman Concrete Practice activities: https://sammancoaching.org/activities/concrete.html +- Samman Conclusions activities: https://sammancoaching.org/activities/conclusions.html +- Example learning hour (Testable Design – Naming): https://sammancoaching.org/learning_hours/testable_design/naming.html +- All learning hours: https://sammancoaching.org/learning_hours/ +- 4 C's quick guide: https://bowperson.com/images/resources/quick-guide-to-four-c-map.pdf + +## Process + +Follow these steps in order. Be conversational — grill Willem with pointed questions, don't just lecture. + +### Phase 1: Learning Goals + +Start by helping Willem identify 1–3 clear learning goals. For each goal: + +1. Ask: "What should participants be able to DO differently after this hour?" +2. Push for observable, testable outcomes — not vague intentions. +3. Challenge scope: "Can someone realistically achieve this in 60 minutes?" +4. Help narrow broad topics into specific, actionable goals. + +**Techniques for grilling:** +- "How would you know someone learned this?" +- "What's the smallest version of this that still matters?" +- "If they could only walk away with one thing, what should it be?" + +### Phase 2: Timetable + +Between the learning goals and the 4 C's, design a timing plan. The default structure is two rounds of 15-minute pair practice, preceded by Connect and Concepts (sometimes split, sometimes all Concepts after the first practice). + +| Block | Time | Description | +|-------|------|-------------| +| Connect | 5-10 min | Hook attention, connect to prior knowledge | +| Concepts (Round 1) | 5-10 min | Introduce key ideas before first practice | +| Concrete Practice 1 | 15 min | Participants practice in pairs | +| Concepts (Round 2) | 5 min | Additional concepts or deepening after practice | +| Concrete Practice 2 | 15 min | Second pair practice round | +| Conclusions | 5-10 min | Wrap-up, key takeaways | + +**Rules for the timetable:** +- Total must fit in 60 minutes — be strict about this. +- Two 15-minute pair practice rounds are the default. Adjust only with justification. +- Connect always comes first. Concepts can be split before/after practice, or front-loaded entirely before Practice 1. +- Always leave room for Conclusions at the end. +- If Willem has more concepts than fit, help cut scope — 60 minutes is tight. + +Present the timetable and ask Willem if it feels right before moving on. + +### Phase 3: The 4 C's + +Work through each C. For each one, ask questions and co-create content. + +#### C1: Connect + +"Connect it to what they already know." Connect activities get learners into a state of mind ready to learn — connecting to what they know, what they'll learn, what they want to learn, and to each other. + +- What prior experience or knowledge can you hook into? +- What analogy, story, or provocative question grabs attention? +- How does this relate to the participants' real work? +- Reference the Samman Connect page for activity ideas: https://sammancoaching.org/activities/connect.html + +#### C2: Concepts + +What are the key ideas, frameworks, or principles? + +- List 2–4 concepts maximum. More than that won't fit. +- For each concept: what's the simplest way to explain it? +- What visual, diagram, or example makes it click? +- Which concepts go before Practice 1 vs Practice 2? + +#### C3: Concrete Practice + +This is where participants actively apply the new concept. Usually a coding exercise, but can be other active tasks (sorting, evaluating, puzzles). + +- Willem often has a practice idea that's too big. **Actively help descope:** + - "What's the minimum viable version of this exercise?" + - "What can you cut and still hit the learning goal?" + - "Can this be done in pairs in 15 minutes?" + - "What tools do they need? Keep it simple — a screenshot on paper works, don't need editors." +- Structure each practice round: + - Clear instructions (what to do, with whom, for how long) + - A specific task or prompt + - A share-back or debrief question + - List of tools/materials needed +- Ensure the practice directly tests the learning goal. +- Reference the Samman Concrete Practice page for activity ideas: https://sammancoaching.org/activities/concrete.html + +#### C4: Conclusions + +How do participants consolidate what they learned? Conclusions help learners summarize, evaluate, celebrate, and create action plans. + +- What's the one-sentence takeaway? +- How do participants share back from practice? +- What commitment or next step do they leave with? +- Reference the Samman Conclusions page for activity ideas: https://sammancoaching.org/activities/conclusions.html + +### Phase 4: Review and Output + +Once all phases are done: + +1. Present the complete learning hour as an org-mode outline. +2. Verify: does every C map back to a learning goal? +3. Check the math: does the timetable add to 60 minutes? +4. Flag any gaps or scope creep. + +## Output Format + +When producing the final learning hour, use this org-mode structure: + +```org +#+title: [Learning Hour Title] + +* Learning Goals +- [Goal 1 – observable outcome] +- [Goal 2 – if applicable] + +* Timetable +| Block | Time | Notes | +|-------+------+-------| +| ... | ... | ... | + +* Connect +[Content] + +* Concepts +** Concept 1 +[Content] +** Concept 2 +[Content] + +* Concrete Practice +** Round 1 (15 min) +[Instructions, task, debrief] +** Round 2 (15 min) +[Instructions, task, debrief] + +* Conclusions +[Wrap-up, takeaways, next steps] +``` + +## Tips + +- Always push back on scope creep — 60 minutes is tight. +- If Willem has multiple learning goals, suggest splitting into separate hours. +- Pair practice is the default format; suggest alternatives only if justified. +- When in doubt, reference the Samman example: https://sammancoaching.org/learning_hours/testable_design/naming.html +- Browse the full library for inspiration: https://sammancoaching.org/learning_hours/ diff --git a/README.org b/README.org index 5eb4a7f..7edfb3a 100644 --- a/README.org +++ b/README.org @@ -1,22 +1,49 @@ #+title: Learning Hour Maker -This is a project to help me (Willem) create Learning Hours +This is a project to help me (Willem) create Learning Hours. -A learning hour has a Learning Objective, follows the '4 C's from training from the back of the room +A learning hour is a short training session (~60 minutes) for software developers, +led by a technical coach. It follows the [[https://sammancoaching.org/activities/4C_model.html][4 C's]] model from +Sharon Bowman's "Training from the BACK of the Room". -* 4 C-s +See the [[https://sammancoaching.org/reference/learning_hour_definition.html][Samman Learning Hour definition]] for the official description. -https://bowperson.com/images/resources/quick-guide-to-four-c-map.pdf +* 4 C's +The 4 C's from [[https://bowperson.com/][Sharon Bowman]]'s "Training from the BACK of the Room": +see the [[https://bowperson.com/images/resources/quick-guide-to-four-c-map.pdf][quick guide to the 4 C map]]. +Samman has dedicated pages for each: -* Connections (samman has this as "Connect") +- [[https://sammancoaching.org/activities/connect.html][Connect]] — get learners warmed up and thinking about the topic +- [[https://sammancoaching.org/activities/concept.html][Concept]] — explain new ideas with words, pictures, examples, stories +- [[https://sammancoaching.org/activities/concrete.html][Concrete Practice]] — hands-on exercise where learners actively apply the new skill +- [[https://sammancoaching.org/activities/conclusions.html][Conclusions]] — summarize, evaluate, celebrate, and plan next steps -Connect it to what they already know. +* Samman Resources +- [[https://sammancoaching.org/learning_hours/][All Learning Hours]] — browse the full library +- [[https://sammancoaching.org/learning_hours/testable_design/naming.html][Example: Reading by Renaming]] — a complete learning hour on testable design naming +- [[https://sammancoaching.org/activities/][Activities]] — activity catalog by category +- [[https://sammancoaching.org/kata_descriptions/][Katas]] — code kata descriptions used in learning hours -* Concepts +* Typical Timetable -* Concrete Practice +| Block | Time | Description | +|-------+------+-------------| +| Connect | 5-10 min | Hook attention, connect to prior knowledge | +| Concepts | 5-10 min | Introduce key ideas | +| Concrete Practice 1 | 15 min | Participants practice in pairs | +| Concepts (deepening) | 5 min | Additional concepts after first practice | +| Concrete Practice 2 | 15 min | Second pair practice round | +| Conclusions | 5-10 min | Wrap-up, key takeaways | -* Conclusions +* How to Use This Project + +Use the ~learning-hour-design~ skill to walk through creating a learning hour: + +- The agent will grill you on learning goals (finding 1-3 clear, testable outcomes) +- Help design a timetable to pace the 60 minutes +- Work through each of the 4 C's with pointed questions +- Help descope concrete practice ideas that are too big +- Produce a complete org-mode outline \ No newline at end of file