Aidan Feldman, Education Hacker at GitHub, [email protected], http://api.afeld.me
Learn to Git, Git to Learn
Being comfortable with version control is a skill that's essential to working in the software development industry, yet is rarely introduced within classrooms. In this discussion, we will talk about ways that version control can be incorporated into educational environments, where it not only prepares students for their careers, but actually improves the learning and teaching experiences. Software is rarely built alone or in a bubble, so how can students get more comfortable with building it collaboratively? What are the points of friction in incorporating Git in the classroom? How can a platform like GitHub be leveraged to improve feedback and communication between students and teachers, and students and their peers?
Version control is a critical skill for software development in "the real world", but can also vastly improve quality of student work and increase collaboration within the classroom. Most teachers that are incorporating version control are doing so in an ad-hoc way. What experiences can be shared, and what best practices can be identified?
This discussion is relevant for educators at any level, but is particularly relevant to Computer Science teachers of undergraduate or graduate courses. We welcome those who have made version control part of their classes, and those that are interested in doing so.
Aidan Feldman, Education Hacker at GitHub, [email protected]
Matthew McCullough, Trainer at GitHub, [email protected]
Aidan Feldman is on the education team at GitHub, thinking about ways to encourage collaboration in an academic context. Aidan organizes various tech meetups in NYC, including open office hours for new programmers, and teaches Advanced JavaScript at NYU.
Matthew McCullough helps lead the Training team at GitHub. An accomplished speaker and writer, Matthew jumps at the chance to help anyone entering the world of programming understand the potential and power of properly using version control and collaboration tools.
None.