By Carol Merriman, Director of Technology, NETD Training.
A successful boot camp program relies on a well-defined method conducted in a high-quality learning environment with continual monitoring and review by vendor representatives and the client. Courses of instruction should be varied and interactive to keep attention levels high, promote individual skills and teamwork between the students, and solidify knowledge through hands-on learning.
Boot Camp Methodology
Methodology should assure that all requirements are met and adhered to. Any exceptions, such as students having difficulty with a concept or language comprehension issues, must be recognized and resolved quickly. Training managers should be apprised each day of any student issues. NETD has developed, tested, and adjusted the methodology used in conducting boot camps over the past 10 years.
Concept
The best approach uses a spiral concept in conducting boot camps. Briefly, students start with learning the very basics of their discipline and continue adding concepts while reusing what was previously learned. This technique allows the instructor to re-enforce aspects of earlier learned concepts while learning new material and assess students who may have difficulties and give them extra assistance.
Testing
Testing is a major feature and different types of tests should be used. Tests are given and graded using our LMS and the results are recorded online for viewing by the training manager. After completion of a testing segment, the results/answers are explained and discussed with the students.
Testing consists of:
• Quizzes – These test for terminology and concepts.
• Code tests – Code sections are presented and students must “find the bug” and correct it or complete the code section.
• Section labs – This lab work requires the student to demonstrate their ability to use and comprehension of newly learned concepts.
• Cumulative exam – This is a test given at the end of a topic and may cover any material learned to that point
· Workshops - Intensive coding projects requiring the student use knowledge obtained in previous subjects and topics (inclusive). Students are given a project, usually in the form of a written set of requirements that stress time management and set deadlines for completion. Students must then implement (develop and code) a solution within the given amount of time. For example, students should be required complete a project based on a given set of requirements within a time frame (4 hours, 2 days, etc.). The project will simulate a “real world” environment and may require team work. Multiple workshops will cumulate with a finished, working application.
Homework
Additional assignments (usually reading) may be assigned to complete outside of class time. Students should be prepared to discuss the material during the next class.
Seating
Students may be assigned or reassigned seats to facilitate pairing a student having difficulties with a student who is advanced and has a better grasp of the material. Seating may also be rearranged to change the dynamics of the classroom. This is at the discretion of the instructor and will be noted in the management feedback.
Time Management
Students must be required to complete their projects by set deadlines. As some projects span multiple days, they will be required to manage their time and resources. It may also be necessary for the students to work beyond the normal class hours to meet their deadlines. Time management will be discussed to assist the student in learning to manage their time and resources to complete a project.
Team Work
Some projects will require students to work with team members to complete a solution. Team members may be selected by the students or assigned by the instructor. The instructor will monitor the teams for co-operation, delegation, leadership, and participation.
Development vs. Maintenance
Students will be developing new code for their projects. In addition, to simulate a “real world” environment, students will also be required to debug and update existing programs that were written by another student or the instructor.
Case Study
A hands-on case study is integrated throughout the curriculum. Assignments are of increasing complexity and designed to be pieced together such that the final result is a well-designed, documented, functioning application.
Extra Work
Students who demonstrate a solid grasp of the material and complete their projects ahead of time will be assigned extra projects to build on their experience. Students who are having difficulties with the material will be assigned additional reading and/or remedial projects to help with their understanding.
Mentoring
Mentors may be assigned a mentor who will be available after hours for one-on-one mentoring sessions. Students requiring mentoring will be noted in the daily feedback.
Feedback
In order to assist in monitoring the boot camp, an online feedback system is available. The instructor will provide daily attendance as well as feedback on each student to the training manager 3-5 times per week.
Feedback consists of:
• Notes/comments on individual students – exceptional students; student with difficulties, etc.
• Student progress/overall placement in class
• Test results and scores
• Follow-up on students with difficulties
• Results of mentoring
In addition, students will complete a weekly evaluation online. The results of all feedback evaluations will be accessible to client designated users and the training team.
Incentives
When attending an extended boot camp, students’ attention can wander. To help maintain alertness and achieve expectations, the instructor presents various incentives for achievement.
At the completion of the boot camp, each student will receive a Certificate of Achievement or certification.
Each student is given a Project Book in which to maintain their assignments, solutions, notes, additional handouts, code samples and examples, scores, etc. The Project Book can then be used for future reference.
Many vendors provide stand-alone Java training or string together classes as “boot camps”, but few offer the Boot Camps as described above.
No comments:
Post a Comment