Course Environment - Workshop Style2

Revision as of 13:09, 21 March 2008 by Clarman (talk | contribs)

Contact Information

Craig Larman, craig@craiglarman.com. +1 214 914 7593


Room, Walls, Whiteboards

Read this: Environment - Agile Modeling Walls and Supplies

This is a hands-on workshop in which students spend significant time in small teams of 3 or 4 at LARGE “whiteboard” areas, doing agile modeling work. e.g., if 16 students, 4 teams. Thus, a prime need is a room with these qualities:

Very large “whiteboard” areas. Very large “whiteboard” areas. THIS IS NOT AN OPTION; THE WORKSHOP CAN’T RUN UNLESS THIS IS SATISFIED.

Either:

  • 2 large (e.g., each is approximately 1 meter x 3 meter; 4 foot x 8+ foot) whiteboards for each team.
  • Or, lots of open wall space to cover the walls (6 meters or 16+ feet per team) with “write-on static cling sheets” that create a temporary whiteboard (see Other Supplies for details). These special thin plastic sheets have a static cling that makes them stick to walls (and glass) and can be used to wallpaper large areas, creating temporary “whiteboards”.

A combination of the above to achieve the goal; e.g., 1 large whiteboard + 8 feet of wall space for each team. Since the walls are of prime importance, a room with many tables touching the walls (making wall access awkward) or un-removable art or posters is not suitable.

The walls may be unadorned plain paint, wallpaper or glass, but not cloth, so that the cling sheets (if there are not giant whiteboard) will cling and can be written upon.

The room needs to be relatively large; each team is using lots of wall space. Rooms with large glass windows representing a wall are OK, as the cling sheets can cling to glass.


Supplies for the Coach/Speaker

Read this: Supplies - for Coach Use


Table Layout

  • Round tables are ideal
  • Tables should not be against the walls; we are using the walls as a main working area in this course.
  • Distribute the tables throughout the room


Computers, Software and Networking

  • There are a few short exercises on spreadsheets. These are team exercises (average 5 persons per team). Thus, at least one laptop is required for each team; two is nicer. Therefore, ask people to bring a laptop if they have one.
  • A power supply is NOT needed for each table, because the computer use is minimal. However, please ensure there are some powerstrips “somewhere” in the room so students can recharge laptops.
  • No network is required.


Other Supplies for Student Use

Read this: Supplies - Creativity Tools


Pictures of Classroom Setup

Csm1.jpg

Csm2.jpg