[data-carpentry-discuss] Organizing Data Carpentry workshop - advice

Thu Jan 29 07:54:33 PST 2015

HI Ethan, Tracy and Kai,

Thank you ALL so much for the feedback so far. I truly appreciate it.

I gave folks here until next week to fill out the survey. As of now, I’m at 18 responses – most of which are open / interested in a full 2 day workshop. 6-Python, 12 – R. Most are interested in SQL as well.

Pulling Git makes sense and most would benefit from a short section on shell. I think most really want to focus on R or python. I also am open to doing two workshops or splitting materials if that makes sense to cover everyone’s interests. For instance, I thought about just doing an afternoon focused on manipulating HDF5 data in R.

In this case, our audience are not novice users. They self identify as Beginner / intermediate – ie they’re programming now – many regularly. Many don’t have formal training and want to hone skills. Does that by default make DC – not quite the right fit here? Thoughts?

Topically they are interested in

1.       Hierarchical data formats (I’ve built materials for that)

2.       Spatial data (I have a bit on that as well

3.       Automating processes, looping, optimization

4.       I’m sure data viz as well (I didn’t include that in the list

Very few were interested in the core programming skills (ie creating functions, variables, etc). I think because they are already implementing those skills.

Thank you again for any feedback / advice, etc.
Leah

From: Tracy Teal [mailto:tkteal at datacarpentry.org]
Sent: Wednesday, January 28, 2015 8:40 PM
To: Hsi-Kai (Kai) Yang
Cc: Leah Wasser; dc-discuss at lists.idyll.org
Subject: Re: [data-carpentry-discuss] Organizing Data Carpentry workshop - advice

Hi Leah,

That's great there's good interest! I agree with Ethan both that the lessons for Python and R are redundant and that it would be tough to teach both languages in two days. Maybe the question is more, what are people looking to do? Are they doing statistical analysis and data visualization with ecological data? If so, then R might be better. If they want to write scripts for data parsing or work with a lot of colleagues who are working in Python, that might be better.

As Kai says, the current Data Carpentry workshop components are focused on data organization/management and the data analysis/presentation/visualization.

The current modules are:

- spreadsheets for data organization
- OpenRefine for data cleaning (30 minute demo)
- SQL for managing and querying data
- introduction to R or Python for data analysis and visualization
- the shell for automation

If you wanted to be able to spend more time on R or Python, which we're finding people are interested in, especially being able to get through more of the data visualization, you could leave out the shell or SQL and use that extra time for R or Python.

The mix of experience is always a challenge. Data Carpentry lessons right now have been developed for people with little to no prior computational experience, so no prior experience is expected or required. This means things can be a little slower for people who do have some experience, but has the advantage that we're clear about the level up front and it doesn't leave as many people behind. People with more experience still learn new tips and tricks for the things they've seen already and can help their neighbors, and often even if someone is experience with one tool, they might be new to another - so maybe they know SQL well, but haven't worked in R before.

This focus on learners newer to computation, does mean, as Ethan mentioned that we're also not currently teaching git. As a concept, it's more advanced than what most people new to programming are ready for.  We have talked about adding to the R lesson a component about working with github from within RStudio, as that takes away some of the complexity, but haven't had a chance to develop that or try it out yet.

Does this approach and modules seem like it matches with what the people there need?

Best,
-Tracy

[cid:image001.jpg at 01D03BA0.179A03C0]
Hsi-Kai (Kai) Yang<mailto:hky2 at uw.edu>
January 28, 2015 at 5:25 PM
Leah:
You might want to focus on either (1) data preparation/munging/management, or (2) data analysis/presentation. Data exploration probably is in between the two areas.
It could be too aggressive trying to cover all aspects of data science in two days.
Also you might want to assume the attendees can master at least one programming language. I believe learning how to program belongs to software carpentry. Data carpentry is all about data science.
My 2 cent.
Thanks.
-kai

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[cid:image001.jpg at 01D03BA0.179A03C0]
Leah Wasser<mailto:lwasser at neoninc.org>
January 28, 2015 at 12:09 AM
HI Tracey, and fellow DC participants.
I am looking for some advice. There has been ongoing interest in a Data Carpentry workshop at NEON (where i work for those of you who don't know me). :)

The challenge that I see at this point, is figuring out what content would be most relevant. I posted a survey today and already have a handful of responses - all interested in a 2 day workshop.

However there is a mix of interest in Python vs R. And some mix of background (mostly intermediate focused however).

I am giving everyone a week to respond to the survey. Then I need to figure out an approach. Depending upon the volume of responses, i am even thinking about something that is split across days (R one day, python another). Git and shell combined? OR SQL ? Can anyone help guide me through the logistics of deciding the best approach for this workshop once the survey results are in?

Thank you in advance!!
leah

Leah A. Wasser, Ph.D.
Remote Sensing Ecologist
Senior Science Educator - Universities
National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON)
Boulder, Colorado

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Today's Topics:

1. Data Carpentry Genomics and Assessment hackathon (Tracy Teal)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 10:34:30 -0500
From: Tracy Teal <tkteal at datacarpentry.org><mailto:tkteal at datacarpentry.org>
Subject: [data-carpentry-discuss] Data Carpentry Genomics and
Assessment hackathon
To: discuss at datacarpentry.org<mailto:discuss at datacarpentry.org>
Message-ID: <54C7B006.4060605 at datacarpentry.org><mailto:54C7B006.4060605 at datacarpentry.org>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed

If you're working or interested in genomics or assessment, we hope
you'll consider applying for our upcoming Data Carpentry Genomics and
Assessment hackathon. We?re very excited about this event and the
opportunity to develop lessons targeting genomics researchers and build
assessment in to the curriculum. Travel support is available. Please
apply to participate!

Dates: March 23-25, 2015
Location: Cold Spring Harbor Labs, NY

It's a short application and the deadline is this Friday, January 30th.

Call for Participation:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1r5Bfc-Igt7Hd8kjXsuPw7SenOHkxIQbEDbtnZfAxXbA/pub

Application:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/17cSQyPIvTIhCQGrFLRoQ0kSway1ZyxgRm9QL85BW8v8/viewform

If you have any questions about the event, please let me know!

Best,
-Tracy

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