This idea came up at the
GCC2015 GTN BoF. Software and Data Carpentry (S/DC) teach scientists core essentials of programming and data management. Their model is to train and certify trainers, and then provide a common curriculum and teaching infrastructure that enables those trainers to teach scientists how to program and manage data well.
We think a S/DC Train the Trainer workshop would be a huge benefit to the Galaxy Training community for many reasons:
- The researchers we teach bioinformatics and Galaxy to would also benefit from learning S/DC. Becoming certified S/DC instructors would give us additional (and extremely useful) topics that we could also teach to our communities.
- The techniques presented in S/DC Train the Trainer workshops are equally applicable to bioinformatics and Galaxy training. Attending a S/DC TTT workshop would improve the training we already do.
- The organizational and compute infrastructure supporting S/DC might make an excellent model for the Galaxy Training Network. S/DC has embraced technologies like GitHub for storing, sharing, and maintaining training materials and best practices. We can learn from their significant experience to make GTN a much more vibrant community.
But, Should We?
However, before we put in the organizational effort (and funds) to make a Train the Trainer workshop happen at GCC2016, we'd like to know what the Galaxy Training community thinks of this proposal.
In particular:
1. Are S/DC techniques and training methods a good match for Galaxy trainers?
We'd especially like to hear from you if are a certified SC or DC instructor.
2. Is the S/DC content a good match for the researchers that we train?
We'd especially like to hear from anyone who has attended an S/DC workshop.
3. Might the S/DC organizational and infrastructure make a good model for GTN?
4. Would you likely attend a Train the Trainer workshop before GCC2016?
The workshop would be in Bloomington, Indiana, most likely offered on Thursday-Friday, June 23-24. Registration would likely be between US$200 and $300. (And no, that would not cover the costs - the workshop would be subsidized by some combination of the project and the meeting.)
If and when we decide that this is a good idea, I'll start getting everything arranged to make this happen. Ideally, we would have a decision within a week or two.
Thanks,
Dave C
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