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We've all learned that writing tests before code is a great way to develop software. It turns out that it's also a great way to learn how to develop software in the first place! In this talk we discuss a number of projects that have used test-first approaches to teach Ruby, including Ruby Koans, RailsBridge Workshops, Wolfram Arnold's BFT (behavior-first teaching), Blazing Cloud JavaScript and Rails classes, plus our own open-source Learn Ruby TFT (test-first teaching) curriculum (at a href="http://testfirst.org" target="_blank"testfirst.org/a). Come hear about our experiences or share your own. Help us caption & translate this video! http://amara.org/v/GZSm/
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In the video titled "Test-First Teaching," speakers Sarah Allen and Alex Chaffee discuss an innovative technique for teaching programming, primarily focusing on Ruby. The talk highlights how writing tests before coding can be a highly effective way to learn programming concepts systematically. **Key Points Discussed:** - **The Concept of Test-First Teaching:** This method involves giving students micro-tests to pass, helping them learn programming concepts incrementally. It encourages learning one test at a time in various settings, including classrooms and informal environments. - **Benefits of Teaching Through Testing:** Teaching and creating tests can enhance understanding for both teachers and students. It creates a collaborative learning atmosphere where students can engage actively with the material. - **Comparison with Traditional Methods:** Traditional classes often leave students bored with static texts and lengthy lectures. Test-first teaching engages students by immersing them in coding exercises from the start, fostering a more interactive and enjoyable learning experience. - **Effective Collaboration:** Pair programming is encouraged, where students learn together, enhancing confidence and understanding. The method of teaching through micro-tests allows for individual mastery alongside collaborative learning. - **Independent Development of the Method:** Many educators, ranging from Mike Clark to Yehuda Katz, have independently developed similar methods of teaching coding through tests, confirming its effectiveness as evidenced by positive student evaluations. - **Use of Engaging Materials:** Resources like Ruby Koans demonstrate interactive testing concepts, while the open-source site, testfirst.org, provides substantial curriculum materials for Ruby educators and students alike. - **Learning through Failure:** Students are taught to embrace failure as part of the learning process, which is critical for growth in programming. Real-world mistakes encountered during testing help build resilience. - **Practical Applications:** Examples provided include creating simple projects like calculators or a Pig Latin translator in Ruby, illustrating fundamental programming concepts engagingly. **Conclusion:** The goal of test-first teaching is to provide meaningful learning experiences grounded in practical applications of programming. This method encourages interaction, collaboration, and resilience in students, ultimately empowering them to develop lasting programming skills. The session invites educators to explore and contribute to the growing body of resources aimed at enhancing programming education.
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