learning-hour-maker/.pi/skills/learning-hour-design/SKILL.md

---
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. Analyze of 124 Samman learning hours shows these patterns.

#### Average times per block type (from the library)

| Block | Average | Range |
|-------|---------|-------|
| Connect | **6.6 min** | 2–15 min |
| Concept | **9.2 min** | 2–25 min |
| Concrete/Do | **25.3 min** | 5–45 min (per block) |
| Conclusion/Reflect | **6.2 min** | 2–15 min |
| Demo (optional) | **10.6 min** | 2–45 min |

#### Most common structure: 4 blocks (65% of hours)

| Block | Time | Description |
|-------|------|-------------|
| Connect | 5-10 min | Hook attention, connect to prior knowledge |
| Concept | 10-15 min | Introduce key ideas |
| Concrete Practice | 30-35 min | Single extended practice block |
| Conclusion | 5-10 min | Wrap-up, key takeaways |

#### Two-practice-round structure (23% of hours)

| Block | Time | Description |
|-------|------|-------------|
| Connect | 5-10 min | Hook attention, connect to prior knowledge |
| Concept | 5-10 min | Introduce key ideas before first practice |
| Concrete Practice 1 | 15-20 min | First practice round |
| Concept (deepening) | 5-10 min | Additional concepts after practice |
| Concrete Practice 2 | 15-20 min | Second practice round |
| Conclusion | 5-10 min | Wrap-up, key takeaways |

#### With a demo block (28% of hours)

| Block | Time | Description |
|-------|------|-------------|
| Connect | 5-10 min | Hook attention, connect to prior knowledge |
| Concept | 5-10 min | Introduce key ideas |
| Demo | 10-15 min | Demonstrate the technique |
| Concrete Practice | 25-30 min | Participants practice |
| Conclusion | 5-10 min | Wrap-up, key takeaways |

**Rules for the timetable:**
- Total is usually 50-55 min of explicit blocks, leaving 5-10 min buffer for transitions.
- **Single 35-min practice is more common** than two 15-min rounds — ask Willem which fits.
- Connect is almost always first (99%). Conclusion is always last (99%).
- Concept can come after practice (21% of hours) — used for deepening or explaining what they just experienced.
- Demo is a distinct block from concept when present.
- 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 in ~9 min average.
- For each concept: what's the simplest way to explain it?
- What visual, diagram, or example makes it click?
- Consider: do some concepts go before practice and some after? (21% of hours interleave concept after practice)
- Reference the Samman Concept page for activity ideas: https://sammancoaching.org/activities/concept.html

#### 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 15-35 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 a Markdown file matching the Samman format.
2. Verify: does every C map back to a learning goal?
3. Check the math: does the timetable add to ~55 min (leaving buffer)?
4. Flag any gaps or scope creep.

## Output Format

When producing the final learning hour, use this Markdown structure matching the Samman convention:

```markdown
---
theme: [topic]
title: [Learning Hour Title]
name: [slug-name]
kata: [kata-name if applicable]
difficulty: [1-5]
author: [author]
affiliation: [affiliation]
tags: [tag1 tag2]
---

# [Learning Hour Title]

[Opening paragraph: why this matters, what problem it solves]

## Learning Goals

* [Goal 1 – observable outcome]
* [Goal 2 – if applicable]

## Session Outline

* [X] min connect: [brief description]
* [X] min concept: [brief description]
* [X] min concrete: [brief description]
* [X] min conclusion: [brief description]

## Connect - [Connect Activity Name]

[Content, instructions, examples]

## Concept - [Concept Name]

[Content, explanations, examples]

## Concrete Practice - [Practice Name]

[Instructions, task, tools, debrief]

## Conclusions - [Conclusion Activity Name]

[Wrap-up, takeaways, next steps]
```

## Tips

- Always push back on scope creep — 60 minutes is tight; explicit blocks usually total 50-55 min.
- If Willem has multiple learning goals, suggest splitting into separate hours.
- Pair practice is the default format; suggest alternatives only if justified.
- A single 35-min practice block is the most common pattern — two rounds is less common but valid.
- Demo is a distinct block from concept; suggest it when the technique benefits from seeing it first.
- 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/
- Check `website/_learning_hours/` in this repo for local copies of all learning hours.