Acknowledgment

This template was adapted with permission from Forthsites Training

Preparation Plan
Title
Outcomes
Trainer name:
Session dates and times:
Estimated duration:
Location and Context
Identify where you are
delivering the session.
Learner Individual and
Group Needs
Outline learner and
individual group needs and
characteristics
Refining existing learning
objectives to meets
learner needs
Explain how you might
adjust the objectives and
session to meet the learners
needs
Consultation Undertaken
Who have you consulted
with about the planning
and delivery of the
learning program?
Interpret Learning
Environment and
Delivery Requirements
Outline what
documentation you have
reviewed or will review in
the planning for this
session
Creative Coding for Earth Sciences Learners
By the end of this session learners will be able to:
• Identify the main components of a pj5 sketch
• Modify given code to achieve an intended purpose
• Create a visual artifact using computer coding
Andrew Yardy
22.07.2022 1 – 2 PM
40 min
University of Newcastle
Academics from Earth Sciences discipline seeking advice on how to teach coding skills
to students.
Learners represented 3-4 fields within the earth sciences discipline.
The group will include 3 academics new to the University. Two academics were from
Australian Universities the other from a German University.
All had extensive experience teaching. Most have used Python for data analysis.
Several have introduced programming into labs.
I plan to introduce creativity into what is commonly viewed as a technical topic. I want
participants to be introduced to coding in a playful and low stakes environment.
I plan to allow participants to modify their code after each exercise. This will allow
participants to experiment with the code, make mistakes and seek help from peers and
facilitator.
I negotiated session goals and delivery with Prof. Hanner Power
I discussed exercises with two academics interested in expanding the teaching of coding
in the discipline.
I referred to the program mapping data shown below.
And course outlines:
https://www.newcastle.edu.au/course/GEOS1040
https://www.newcastle.edu.au/course/GEOS1050
Program mapping information.
Preparation Plan

The program outcomes for B – Science and Graduate Attributes.

Resources and Laptop,

Equipment
Worksheet (to be sent to participants via email in advance of session) Check at
start to make sure everyone has received and downloaded the document.
Internet
Google Chrome Browser
P5.js editor (website)
Projector

Strategies to learning materials to audience

The coding exercises were foundational. Participants did not need to write out
extensive lines of code.
They included very few lines of code and very clear methods and function. These tasks
needed to be very simple so as not to overwhelmed participants new to programming.

What adult learning principles were considered in the development of your learning
resources?
• Adults learn best when the tasks are made relevant and engaging
• Adults like to learn with peers
• Adults retain more knowledge if they are active in their learning (making
something)

Work Health and Safety

(WHS) Considerations

 Identify the
specific hazards
participants might
be exposed to
while undertaking
this training
session.

 Outline the action

you will take to
Preparation Plan

address these
hazards.

Workplace policies and • UoN Code of Conduct

procedures
• UoN Equity and Diversity Policy
Outline specific policies
and procedures that must
be considered/followed in
the delivery of this session.

Maintain and store

learner records
Not required.
Outline where learner
records will be stored and
the way your organisation
manages these

2nd 40 Minute Session Plan Creative Coding for Earth Sciences Learners

Time Resources/ Content, Key Points and Delivery Strategy.

Aids
Identify the
resources/aids
you will need
to deliver each
part of the
session

2 min Laptop Introduction Session Overview

P5.js editor Welcome State at home WHS suggestions – sitting ergonomics, lighting,
PPT Protocols for communication.
Ask participants to demonstrate they can share their screens.
Housekeeping/WHS

3 min Coding Experience Survey – participants self-assessed their

coding skills.
Topic / Session
Overview
2 min

Hook - Reason for Why develop coding skills?

learning – the WHY Situate within:
2 min
Employability
Learning Outcomes 21st century skills

Show examples of complex “creative coding”

3 min Laptop Body Coding Foundations

P5.js editor  Explain how programming works.
2nd 40 Minute Session Plan Creative Coding for Earth Sciences Learners

PPT Coding basics  The main components

Worksheet o Library

o Hardware

3min Learning Process - Explain the teaching process.

Learning Process
 Demonstration and explanations

 Copy and run

 Modify and push

 Collaborative problem solving

Explain worksheet

3 min P5.js
Library and languages
Explain the library used.

10 min Worksheet Writing and running 1. Exercise 1: Your first sketch

code in P5.js
Browser The drawing canvas
P5.js editor a. Demo
Create a drawing
b. Practice
i. Ask participants to share their
drawings.
Add rectangle to canvas ii. Use peer instruction to resolve
errors
c. Practice – ask learners to modify 1 value
Functions and
in the code.
parameters
2. Exercise 2: Drawing Rectangles
a. Coordinate systems
b. Functions – how functions work

10 min For loops 3. Exercise 3

For loops
a. Demonstration – repeating rectangles
b. Practice
i. Change the location of
rectangle
ii. Change the for loop count
iii. Change stroke or colour
c. Use peer instruction to resolve errors
2nd 40 Minute Session Plan Creative Coding for Earth Sciences Learners

2 min PPT Conclusion Ask for reflections on experience

Browser
P5.js editor Summarise main points Ask participants to share final drawing.

Outcomes – restate the Show website where to find examples and the p5.js
learning outcomes reference.

Feedback – tell learner

how they progressed

Future – where to from

here?