9.0 KiB
9.0 KiB
BANA 4080 Lab Template Guide
This guide provides the structure and requirements for creating Thursday lab notebooks for BANA 4080.
Template Location
File: /Users/b294776/Desktop/UC/uc-bana-4080/planning/templates/lab_notebook_template.ipynb
Usage Guide: /Users/b294776/Desktop/UC/uc-bana-4080/planning/templates/lab_template_usage_guide.md
Lab Structure (75 minutes)
Header Section
- Week number and descriptive lab title
- Colab badge with correct filename
- Lab description and context (2-3 sentences)
- Learning Objectives: 3-4 specific, measurable outcomes starting with action verbs
- This Lab Reinforces: List of chapter/reading references
- Estimated Time & Structure: Clear breakdown with realistic time estimates
- Why This Matters: Business context and real-world relevance
Setup Section
- Required imports (only necessary libraries)
- Data loading code
- Quick preview/verification of loaded data
Part A: Guided Reinforcement (~30 minutes)
Part 1 — [Section 1 Title] (Time estimate)
- Section description and context
- Subsection with explanation/instructions
- Step-by-step instructions (numbered)
- Code examples or starter code
- "🧠 Your Turn" exercise with tasks
- Empty code cell for practice
- "✅ Check Your Understanding" with questions and expected results
Part 2 — [Section 2 Title] (Time estimate)
- Similar structure to Part 1
- Guided example with explanation
- Demonstration code
- "🧪 Practice Exercise" with business scenario
- Step-by-step approach
- Code cell for solution
Class Discussion/Q&A (5-10 minutes)
- Discussion prompts
- Common blockers and clarifications
Part B: Independent Group Challenges (~35-40 minutes)
Intro markdown:
For the next several challenges:
* You will not be given starter code
* **DO NOT USE AI** to generate code
* Work in groups of 2-4 students
* Feel free to ask questions or seek help from instructor
* We'll stop and walk through each challenge together after each time block
Challenge 1 — [Title] (6-8 minutes)
- Business question
- Additional context if needed
- Empty code cell with comment:
# Your turn: write code here to [description]
Challenge 2 — [Title] (6-8 minutes)
- Business question
- Strategic hint (not code)
- Empty code cell
Challenge 3-6 — Similar structure with progressive difficulty
Optional Extension Activities
Extension 1-2: Advanced challenges for early finishers Extension 3: "Brainstorm - What else is interesting?" with example questions
Lab Wrap-Up & Reflection (3-5 minutes)
- What You Accomplished: List of accomplishments
- Reflection Questions: 2-3 metacognitive prompts
- Connection to Course Goals: How this lab connects to broader learning
- Next Steps: Homework reference, next week preview, optional resources
- Save your work instruction
Troubleshooting & Common Issues
- Issue 1-3 with solutions
- General debugging tips
Required Placeholders to Fill
All items in [BRACKETS] must be replaced:
| Placeholder | Example |
|---|---|
[X] |
Week number (e.g., 6) |
[LAB_TITLE] |
Control Flow and Functions in Practice |
[FILENAME] |
06_wk6_lab |
[LAB_DESCRIPTION_AND_CONTEXT] |
Description of what students will do |
[OBJECTIVE_1] |
Write conditional statements for business logic |
[Reading/Chapter Reference 1] |
Chapter 7: Control Flow |
[TIME_ESTIMATE] |
15-20 |
[BUSINESS_CONTEXT_AND_REAL_WORLD_RELEVANCE] |
Why this matters in real work |
[SECTION_X_TITLE] |
Name of major section |
[SUBSECTION_X_TITLE] |
Name of subsection |
[EXPLANATION_OR_INSTRUCTIONS] |
Teaching content |
[STEP_X] |
Individual step in process |
[DESCRIPTIVE_COMMENT] |
What the code does |
[CODE_EXAMPLE_OR_STARTER] |
Actual code |
[EXERCISE_TITLE] |
Name of practice exercise |
[EXERCISE_DESCRIPTION] |
What students should do |
[TASK_X] |
Individual task |
[HELPFUL_HINT_IF_NEEDED] |
Strategic guidance |
[MINI_ASSESSMENT_OR_DISCUSSION_QUESTIONS] |
Comprehension check |
[QUESTION_X] |
Specific question |
[WHAT_STUDENTS_SHOULD_SEE] |
Expected output/result |
[CONCRETE_BUSINESS_EXAMPLE] |
Real scenario |
[DEMONSTRATION_CODE] |
Working example |
[REALISTIC_BUSINESS_CONTEXT] |
Business scenario for exercise |
[CLEAR_TASK_DESCRIPTION] |
What to accomplish |
[CHALLENGE_TITLE] |
Name of challenge |
[BUSINESS_QUESTION] |
Question to answer |
[ADDITIONAL_CONTEXT_IF_NEEDED] |
Extra info |
[CHALLENGE_DESCRIPTION] |
What the code should do |
[STRATEGIC_HINT_NOT_CODE] |
Approach guidance |
[EXTENSION_TITLE] |
Name of extension |
[ADVANCED_CHALLENGE_DESCRIPTION] |
Extension task |
[EXAMPLE_QUESTION_X] |
Sample brainstorm question |
[ACCOMPLISHMENT_X] |
What was learned |
[HOW_THIS_LAB_CONNECTS_TO_BROADER_LEARNING] |
Big picture |
[HOMEWORK_REFERENCE] |
Link to assignment |
[NEXT_WEEK_PREVIEW] |
What's coming |
[OPTIONAL_RESOURCES] |
Additional materials |
[SPECIFIC_SHARING_INSTRUCTIONS] |
How to share work |
[COMMON_PROBLEM] |
Issue students face |
[SOLUTION_APPROACH] |
How to fix |
[TIP_X] |
Debugging tip |
Content Development Process
Phase 1: Content Analysis
- Review assigned chapter(s) for the week
- Identify key concepts that need hands-on practice
- Map concepts to Part A (guided) and Part B (challenges)
- Define 3-4 specific learning objectives
Phase 2: Part A Design (Guided Reinforcement)
- Systematically review key concepts from readings
- Provide hands-on practice with instructor guidance
- Include "Your Turn" exercises for immediate application
- Build confidence before independent work
Principles:
- Students follow along and execute code together
- Explain rationale and connect to business applications
- Multiple opportunities for questions
- Gradual release of responsibility
Phase 3: Part B Design (Independent Challenges)
- Create 6 challenges with progressive difficulty
- Each challenge: clear business question, minimal code scaffolding
- Strategic hints rather than direct solutions
- Require integration of multiple concepts
Principles:
- Groups work collaboratively with minimal intervention
- Business context makes problems meaningful
- Different groups can progress at different paces
- No AI tools allowed - students write code themselves
Phase 4: Dataset Selection
Default Strategy:
- Part A (guided): Primary dataset from chapter readings
- Part B (challenges): Dataset from end-of-chapter exercises
- Always confirm with instructor and allow alternatives
Phase 5: Quality Validation
- All code tested in Google Colab
- Chapter alignment verified
- 75-minute timing realistic
- Part A/B balance appropriate (~30 min / ~35-40 min)
- Business context realistic
- Learning objectives align with activities
- All placeholders replaced
- Colab badge updated
TA Guidance Requirements
Each lab requires a companion ta_guidance_wkX.ipynb with:
Pre-Lab Preparation:
- Learning objectives and key concepts overview
- Connection to readings
- Setup instructions and common issues
- Classroom management tips
Part A Teaching Guidance:
- Section-by-section instructions with timing
- Key concepts to emphasize
- Common student questions and responses
- Teaching strategies
Part B Facilitation Guide:
- Complete solutions for all 6 challenges
- Common difficulties and targeted hints
- When and how to provide assistance
- Pacing strategies
Assessment and Wrap-up:
- Key concepts to verify mastery
- Reflection questions
- Connection to upcoming content
- Troubleshooting guide
Business Context Standards
Every concept and exercise must have clear business relevance:
- Real-world scenarios students can relate to
- Authentic business questions and problems
- Professional applications and use cases
- Connection to career skills
Good examples:
- Customer segmentation analysis
- Marketing campaign performance
- Retail transaction patterns
- Product recommendation systems
- Sales forecasting
Avoid:
- Abstract mathematical exercises without context
- Toy problems with no real-world connection
- Examples that don't relate to business analytics
Common Lab Types by Week
Weeks 1-3 (Fundamentals):
- More guided examples, slower pacing
- Simple, clear-cut problems
- Accessible business scenarios
- Building basic confidence
Weeks 4-6 (Skill Application):
- Less guidance, more problem-solving
- Multi-step business problems
- Realistic data analysis scenarios
- Integration of concepts
Weeks 7+ (Advanced Integration):
- Open-ended exploration
- Complex, multi-faceted problems
- Comprehensive case studies
- Professional-level analysis
Remember
- Labs directly reinforce Tuesday lecture concepts
- Based on weekly assigned chapter readings
- 75 minutes exactly with strategic time allocation
- Two-part structure: guided (30 min) + independent (35-40 min)
- Business context for everything
- No AI tools in Part B challenges
- Always create companion TA guidance notebook