Study Groups

Problem
At CodeYourFuture, we have a very limited amount of time with our students - only one day per week - and so the amount of time that our students spend with teachers is limited. In particular, our teachers time is split between 15-30 students depending on the size of the class meaning it is hard to tailor our lessons to any trainee.
Solution
By running weekly Study groups we give the trainee a safe space to explore ideas and work through their coursework in a guided manner. Some of our students can get overwhelmed when working on their homework and so having an experienced, professional developer to help them is a huge benefit.
Goals
To provide support to our trainees during the week outside of classes
To keep trainees encouraged throughout the week and stop them becoming discouraged
To provide closer one-on-one mentoring or tutorials or our trainees
Get to know real developers - many of our trainees have never met one before joining the course!
Roles
Role
Duties
Coordinator
The coordinator should be the host of the Zoom call and work to make the event go smoothly for all involved. Does not need to be technical but it helps. They also make sure that the trainees know when and where study group is happening.
Technical Mentor
Work directly with the trainees to answer their questions during the session. Explaining key concepts that the trainees do not understand. Reassuring and coaching students.
Example Agenda
17:30 - Volunteers Onboarding​
18:00 - Trainee to Volunteer Assignment​
18:10 - Working Time​
19:45 - Wrap Up​
Volunteer Onboarding
Explain the goals of the Homework Club
We are here to mentor, teach and advise. Not to give answers
Re-enforce why this is so valuable for the students as they have so little time with professionals
Send a link to what the students have learnt in the syllabus most recently
This can be found here​
Trainee to Volunteer Assignment
As the students arrive ask them what they have been working on this week and see if any volunteers feel comfortable with helping them with that topic
This is to set expectations with the trainee as to the level of help they’ll get
If we have more students than mentors try to group them together by the task they’re working on
The students and mentors will take a table together and start to work
If working online - they can use a Breakout Room
Working Time
In this time students and mentors work together
Wrap Up
As you reach the end of the session you should
Bring all the attendees back into the main room and thank the mentors for coming
Let everyone know that they have fifteen minutes to wrap up
Mentors should be encouraged to give further reading material
Remind the mentors to fill in the Tracker
If they aren’t already, invite the mentors to join this Slack channel as a Single Channel Guest
​https://app.slack.com/client/T2H71EFLK/C010MDVT37G​

Success Criteria

Next - Course Processes

After the Course

Last modified 1mo ago

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Contents

Trainee to Volunteer Assignment

Working Time

Wrap Up