ELI5: A Game Show on Rails

by Andy Glass

In the presentation titled "ELI5: A Game Show on Rails" hosted by Andy Glass at RailsConf 2022, participants engage in an interactive game show that explores Ruby on Rails concepts through a fun and interactive format. The session aims to assess the understanding of Rails by encouraging attendees to explain concepts to each other, thereby reinforcing their own knowledge. Key points discussed during the session include: - Teaching Philosophy: The session opens with a reminder from Aristotle that those who understand something can teach it effectively. This sets the tone for the importance of sharing knowledge among peers. - Judgment-Free Environment: Glass emphasizes that the game is designed to be a fun, safe space where no one should feel judged for their answers, fostering a collaborative atmosphere. - Game Format: The game combines elements of Jeopardy! and Catchphrase. Teams of four are formed, with two members guessing and two providing clues based on words related to Ruby on Rails, while avoiding specific reserved words that directly relate to each clue. - Engagement with the Audience: Throughout the game, audience members are encouraged to participate, with volunteer opportunities and prizes for those who join in. Numerous prizes are provided by sponsors, including gift cards, merchandise, and baked treats, which add an incentive for participation. - Learning Through Fun: By requiring participants to explain technical terms in simplified language, the game encourages deeper understanding and the ability to articulate concepts clearly. Examples discussed include terms like "Active Record," "HTML," and more technical references that Rails developers would use. - Encouraging Exploration: The game incorporates humor and lighthearted moments, creating a relaxed environment that allows developers of all skill levels—beginner, intermediate, and advanced—to interact without fear of making mistakes. In conclusion, Andy Glass's session serves as a creative platform to engage with Ruby on Rails concepts, highlighting the significance of teaching and learning through fun interactions. Participants leave with reinforced knowledge and hopefully greater confidence in their ability to explain technical concepts to others.

00:00:13.040 Welcome to RailsConf! I am Andy Glass, your host for 'Explain It Like I'm Five: A Game Show on Rails.' This is the only talk in RailsConf that is actually a game show! I can't wait to get started. As a Ruby enthusiast, I spend my time coding on Rails, and when I’m not doing that, I’m involved in other fun activities like being a ball person at the U.S. Open, judging Guinness World Records, and participating in Super Bowl halftime shows. It’s a pleasure to be here among this amazing community. We owe so much to each other, and it's a blessing to come together again at RailsConf.

00:01:05.820 Today, we're here to have some fun! We may have heard some brilliant insights during Javier's opening keynote this morning, but this session is going to be wacky and goofy, hopefully a bit fun! I want to take a moment to talk about our journey here. Honestly, this journey started about 79 days ago, right before the CFP deadline. More whimsically, we could say it started over 2300 years ago with Aristotle, who famously said, 'Those who know, do. Those who understand, teach.' If you understand something well enough, you can teach it to others.

00:01:58.500 Some of the most powerful parts of my experience with Rails have come when I've struggled to explain a concept to friends or students in a boot camp—shoutout to Touring School! It’s in those challenging moments that I reassess my own understanding of the concepts. With that in mind, let's try to capture that magic in this session. Can we learn by teaching others, and can we learn by observing how others teach?

00:02:24.840 Before we get started with the game, I want to establish some ground rules. We are in a judgment-free zone. This session is meant to be fun and safe, and there are no stupid answers! Let’s not be afraid to be a little silly and enjoy ourselves. We will need some participants from the audience to join in on the fun!

00:02:38.280 Now, let me explain how the game will work. There will be no scores or winners; our primary goal is to have fun. Participants will have the opportunity to win prizes! We’ll need some volunteers, so if you're interested in joining in, please raise your hand. It’s going to be a great time, and I’m excited to introduce Tabulin of Ruby on Rails, a fun twist on a game of taboo! Each team will consist of four members, with two guessers and two clue-givers. I’ll show cards that have a word, along with some reserved words that cannot be used as clues.

00:03:33.480 For instance, if the word is 'gem', you cannot say 'library', 'bundle', or 'package.' The two guessers will face the audience while the clue-givers alternate giving hints to help them guess the word. It’s important that the clues truly explain the meaning of the word instead of resorting to word games. To entice participation, we have some great prizes for anyone brave enough to come up on stage. I initially intended to use some of the funds from the honorarium for prizes, but our amazing sponsors at RailsConf provided so much!

00:04:49.320 Let’s thank our sponsors for their generosity! We have some exciting prizes, including fifty-dollar gift cards to Pine State Biscuits—my favorite breakfast in Portland, a 529 app from Signal Credit, a variety of snacks from them including Stroopwafels, and lots of swag like hoodies, notebooks, and rubber ducks from Test Double. We even have T-shirts and Ruby cookies from New Relic and power banks from CareRev. Touring School also contributed coffee mugs and generous credits from Cloud66, plus a bag of coffee I purchased from Upper Left Roasters!

00:06:26.220 Now, are we ready to play? I want to see some hands raised if you're interested!

00:06:28.620 Let's dive right in! For our first clue, we will have our volunteers to get started. Remember, there are no points, just fun and learning! Let’s get the first team on the stage. When you pull down a Git repository and have no idea what you’re doing, you might go to... 'Stack Overflow'! Yes! That’s it!

00:08:00.840 As we move through the game, there will be many clues and responses. For example, if someone asked about doing a database migration, you'd potentially reference the particular gems you're using. Throughout the buzz of energy, we'll explore a variety of concepts from data types to frameworks!

00:10:24.600 As we progress, each clue brings forth excitement and thought, with each participant contributing something unique, from discussing middleware to explaining crucial components in Rails. Be prepared because some concepts might get tricky! Just remember, it's all in good fun.

00:12:14.880 And as we navigate through the game, we will have moments of laughter, insight, and learning, including explaining the components and methods to our enthusiastic audience members, who are diving deep into the world of Ruby on Rails! Each segment will have its charm as we tackle various programming challenges.

00:20:59.520 Eventually, we'll conclude our game filled with joy and engagement, not only celebrating our learning but the community Spirit that Rails Conf fosters. As we gather to wrap up, I thank you for being wonderful participants, and I hope you enjoyed this interactive experience of learning through teaching!

00:27:52.380 That brings us to the end of our session. Thank you all so much for participating in 'Explain It Like I'm Five.' I am Andy Glass, and it's been a pleasure to host this game show at RailsConf. Feel free to connect with me afterward. I wish everyone an amazing and enriching experience here at RailsConf!