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. 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/