Writing Workshop Info for Leaders

Through patterns we make the life of the ordinary programmer better. Patterns eliminate the need to reinvent the solutions that others have already used so well. They free us to creatively and artistically solve new and interesting problems.

Writing patterns is a creative endeavor also. From the inspiration of recognizing a pattern to be written until it is finally published, our creativity as author is required to give each pattern birth.

The Idea

The idea of the Writing Workshops at PLoP is to give pattern authors and other PLoP attendees something that they can use when they get back to their homes and offices to help them write better patterns. I believe that writing a pattern is a creative activity, that can benefit from both sides of the brain working together.

The pattern community at PLoPs has adopted a "wacky" unconventional outlook on conferences through games and entertainment. Writing Workshops will formalize this wackiness somewhat by offering distinctly right brained activities.

Workshop Unifying Vision

Each workshop should introduce whatever its focus is and then in some sort of wrap-up help the participants to understand how the topic can help them to write better (or use) patterns. For some topics, such as one discussing pattern languages, this will be an obvious step. For others, such as juggling or drawing, it might be more difficult, but should be attempted.

The "Tracks"

While my dream would be to have everyone participate in some creative endeavour -- drawing, being in nature, ... I realize that not everyone will want to do that. So, there will be three tracks of activities: Creative Ideas, Expertise and Motivation. The intersection of these three areas is the place that the creativity required to write a pattern thrives. This breakdown into three components is from research by Teresa Amabile (research interests).

Creative Ideas

This is where the most right or balanced brain activities will be found. Artistic things, natural things, getting out of the typical engineer's left braininess and into something different.

Expertise

Activites that will help the participants write better patterns/pattern languages. Technical things, things that they might not have thought about including.

Motivation

This track will be for activities that will help the participants become better users/advocates/change agents in the cause of pattern awareness. Introduction to patterns, reading groups, introducing patterns to the workplace are examples.

The Mechanics

Supply List

Figuring 100 people at PLoP: The goal is to have around 11 workshops: 5 creative ones, 3 expertise and 3 motivation. This puts 9 people in each workshop. Some people won't want to do any of the workshops. And some workshops will be about more popular topics than others.

A maximum limit of 12-15 will be allowed into each workshop. Minimum size will be determined by each workshop leader.

Advance signup will be required, but will be done on-site. This will help leaders know how nervous they want to get ahead of time. Several survey style questions were put on the PLoP registration page to asses interest in these workshops. The ongoing tally can be seen here.

Scheduling

Each Writing Workshop will be 1.5 hours. There is not a hard event start afterwards, so it doesn't need to end precisely on time. Writing Workshops will be offered in two time slots:
  • Thursday 3:30 to 5:00 pm (Supper at 5:30 pm)
  • Wednesday 6:30 to 8:00 pm (Supper at 5:00 pm)
    • I want a full slate of activities on Thursday. If an individual workshop leader wants to repeat on Wednesday evening, that is great.

    Here is the complete PLoP-97 program.

    Supplies

    PLoP will pay a reasonable amount for any necessary supplies needed for the workshop. Things like juggling balls, paper, pens, ink, paint, etc.

    Other support

    I'd be happy to consult on workshop preparation.

    The facilities of Allerton Park are at our disposal to get what we need: AV equipment, flipcharts, etc. I think requesting things before September 3 would be good.

    . . . Bob

    Disclaimer: The program for PLoP-97 Allerton Park is still being created. This creation will not be complete until the last person leaves on September 5th! Sessions and activities described here reflect current thought, and are subject to change without prior notice.

    This page URL: http://st-www.cs.uiuc.edu/~hanmer/PLoP-97/WritingWorkshopInfo.html

    Last updated: Wed Aug 27 16:37:47 CDT 1997