Week 0 Image Placeholders & Improvements

📊 What Was Created

Week 0 Introduction Slides: 45 slides of pedagogically-designed course introduction

Built from scratch using content from original PowerPoint
Follows same pedagogical framework as Weeks 1-5
Warm, welcoming tone that reduces intimidation
Clear expectations and course structure
Addresses “elephant in the room” (AI/LLMs) proactively

🖼️ Image Placeholders Needed

Slide 8: Your Instructor

Current: Uses existing /images/william_chapman_square.jpg Status: ✅ Already working (uses your profile photo)

Slide 10: Your TA - Aiden Pape

Location: Line 93 Current text: **PLACEHOLDER: Photo of Aiden** What to add: Photo of Aiden Pape

Suggested code:

![Aiden Pape](/images/aiden_pape.jpg){width=200}

To add:

Get Aiden’s photo
Save as /images/aiden_pape.jpg
Replace placeholder text with image code above

Slide 20: Runestone Dashboard

Location: Line 260 Current: **PLACEHOLDER: Screenshot of Runestone dashboard** What to add: Screenshot showing Runestone interface

Suggested code:

![Runestone Dashboard](/images/runestone_dashboard.png){width=800}

To add:

Log into Runestone Academy
Take screenshot of dashboard
Save as /images/runestone_dashboard.png
Replace placeholder with image code

Slide 28: VS Code Extensions Panel

Location: Line 391 Current: **PLACEHOLDER: Screenshot of VS Code extensions panel** What to add: Screenshot of VS Code showing extensions marketplace

Suggested code:

![VS Code Extensions](/images/vscode_extensions.png){width=800}

To add:

Open VS Code
Click Extensions icon (left sidebar)
Take screenshot showing the 5 required extensions
Save as /images/vscode_extensions.png
Replace placeholder

🌐 Images That Could Be Pulled from Web

None in this version—I kept it minimal. However, you could add:

Optional additions:

CU Boulder logo - Could add to title slide
ATOC department photo - Building exterior
Climate data visualization examples - To show what students will create

✅ Pedagogical Design Decisions

1. Warm, Non-Intimidating Tone

Problem: Week 0 can intimidate students, especially those with no coding experience

Solution:

Friendly, conversational language
“We’re in this together” framing
Will admits it’s his first time teaching the class
Emphasizes support resources prominently

Example:

**My promise to you:** I will work harder than anyone to make this valuable for your career.

2. Address AI/LLMs Proactively

Problem: Students are using ChatGPT/Copilot, but unclear on ethics

Solution: Dedicated 3-slide section on AI use

Slides 15-17:

Explicit policy: what’s allowed, what’s not
Gray areas identified
Rationale explained (learning vs. cheating)
Interactive exercise to check understanding

Impact: Sets clear expectations early, reduces anxiety

3. The Question Number System (Slide 24-26)

Your innovative 0-5 finger system:

Explained clearly with examples
Rationale provided (why it’s better than silence)
Practice round included
Escape clause: “If you hate this, tell me!”

Impact: Students understand the system before Week 1, buy-in established

4. Multiple Entry Points for Different Skill Levels

Whiteboard game (Slide 23):

Low-pressure way to share background
Visual representation of class diversity
Normalizes wide range of experience levels

Grading with 115% buffer (Slide 27):

Explicitly states: “Consistent effort = A”
Removes grade anxiety
Encourages risk-taking and learning

5. Practical “Getting Started” Focus

Slides 28-30:

Clear, step-by-step setup instructions
Links to video tutorials
Time estimates (“5 minutes”)
Troubleshooting section in backup slides

Impact: Students leave Week 0 ready to code, not confused

6. Support Resources Front and Center

Slide 11: Basic Needs + Mental Health

Acknowledges students are whole humans
Links provided immediately
“My door is always open” message

Impact: Creates safe, supportive learning environment

📈 Structure Comparison

Original PowerPoint (25 slides):

Straightforward introduction
Syllabus details
Setup instructions
Some slides were image-only

New Quarto Version (45 slides):

All content from original
Plus: AI/LLM policy (3 slides)
Plus: Question system explanation (3 slides)
Plus: Expanded course goals (2 slides)
Plus: Interactive exercises (3 slides)
Plus: Clear “What to Do This Week” (2 slides)
Plus: Backup slides for troubleshooting

Pedagogical improvements:

Incremental reveals for cognitive pacing
Interactive elements (whiteboard game, practice round)
Clear hierarchies (what’s required vs. optional)
Multiple formats (text, tables, examples)

🎯 Key Themes

Theme 1: “You Belong Here”

Slides emphasizing inclusivity:

Wide range of backgrounds welcome (Slide 23)
Support resources (Slide 11)
115% grading buffer (Slide 27)
“No stupid questions” (Slide 42)

Theme 2: “Clear Expectations”

Slides setting expectations:

Course goals (Slides 17-19)
Grading breakdown (Slide 27)
AI policy (Slides 15-17)
Assignment structure (Slide 21-22)

Theme 3: “We’re Partners in This”

Will’s transparency:

First time teaching (Slide 9)
“We’re figuring this out together”
Question system is an experiment
Asks for feedback explicitly

Theme 4: “Skills for Your Career”

Future-oriented framing:

Where former students are now (Slide 44)
Employer feedback (Slide 44)
Transferable skills beyond class (Slide 19)

📝 Recommended Next Steps

Before Using These Slides:

Add Aiden’s photo (Slide 10)
Add Runestone screenshot (Slide 20)
Add VS Code screenshot (Slide 28)
Review Canvas links - Make sure all Canvas URLs are updated
Update environment file link (Slide 30)
Confirm key dates:
- Midterm 1: Feb 3
- Midterm 2: Mar 12
- Final Project: Apr 27

During Class:

Slide 23: Whiteboard Game
- Have markers ready
- Reserve ~10 minutes for this
- Take photo afterward (could use for future years)
Slides 24-26: Question System Practice
- Actually do the practice round
- Gauge student reaction
- Be ready to explain further if needed
Slides 28-30: Live Setup
- Budget 20-30 minutes
- Have Aiden help troubleshoot
- Don’t rush—this is crucial

After Class:

Survey students:
- Did they get setup working?
- Was anything confusing?
- Feedback on question system?
Update slides based on feedback:
- Add FAQs to backup slides
- Clarify any confusing points
- Adjust timing for next year

🔧 Technical Notes

File: atoc4815-week00-intro.qmd

Renders to: atoc4815-week00-intro.html

Uses existing:

custom.scss theme
styles.css for spacing
/images/william_chapman_square.jpg (already exists)

Needs:

/images/aiden_pape.jpg (new)
/images/runestone_dashboard.png (new)
/images/vscode_extensions.png (new)

Optional additions:

/images/cu_boulder_logo.png
/images/atoc_building.jpg
/images/example_figures/ (student project examples)

💡 Why This Approach Works

Traditional Week 0:

Boring syllabus readthrough
Students zone out
Nobody remembers anything

This Week 0:

Interactive from start (whiteboard game)
Addresses student concerns (AI, difficulty, support)
Hands-on setup (leave ready to code)
Memorable systems (question numbers)
Sets tone for active learning

Expected outcomes:

✅ Students feel welcome
✅ Students understand expectations
✅ Students know how to get help
✅ Students have working setup
✅ Students excited for Week 1

📊 Slide Breakdown

Welcome & Motivation: Slides 1-4 Who We Are: Slides 5-10 Support & Resources: Slides 11-12 The Elephant (AI): Slides 13-17 Course Overview: Slides 18-28 Getting Started: Slides 29-32 Interactive Introduction: Slides 33-37 Next Steps: Slides 38-45 Backup Slides: Slides 46-47

Total: 47 slides (45 main + 2 backup)

🎨 Visual Design Notes

Background colors:

Dark grey (#2F2F2F): Major section breaks
Sage green (#9CA898): Supporting sections
White: Content slides

Incremental reveals:

Used throughout for pacing
Prevents cognitive overload
Creates “aha!” moments

Tables:

Clear, easy-to-scan
Used for comparisons and schedules
Tiny font for dense info (with .tiny class)

Code blocks:

Syntax-highlighted
Used for terminal commands
Clear prompts (# comments)

🚀 Ready to Use!

Once you add the 3 images, these slides are ready for Spring 2026!

Final checklist:

You’ve got this! 🌟