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

name, description

name	description
learning-hour-design	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:

#+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/