The Circle is all about projects. That's why we don't have a lot of content to share, but rather project guidelines and material. For Spring 2025, we aim to review the project ideas and enhance the structure of the project guidelines we share with the students.

Previous Projects

• Previous Projects include Stack Overflow data and Twitter Data (Project Introduction).

• The projects lacked a clear goal of what the students could achieve with it. This is what we want to improve for Spring 2025.

Project Framework

Project Requirements

• Goal - Each project needs a clear, achievable goal - either a product to build or a specific problem to solve

• Structure - Projects should be pre-structured, including deliverables, so that students clearly understand what to deliver

• Dataset - Data sets must be pre-validated to ensure feasibility and quality

Project Guidelines

• We aim to create project guidelines in a GitHub repo that include a structured project roadmap and a breakdown of the complex tasks into more manageable steps.

• Guidelines should include:

  • Description

  • Technologies

  • Dataset

  • Deliverables

  • Evaluation Criteria

  • Plagiarism & AI

  • Resources

• An example we can use as a template: ML Zoomcamp Projects

Spring 2025 Project Ideas

1. Flu Shot Learning (DrivenData)

   • Predict H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccine adoption

   • Focus: Classification and healthcare analytics

   • Flu Shot Learning: Predict H1N1 and Seasonal Flu Vaccines

2. Water Table Analysis (DrivenData)

   • Data mining for water pump functionality prediction

   • Focus: Feature engineering and classification

   • Pump it Up: Data Mining the Water Table

3. Disaster Tweet Classification (Kaggle)

   • NLP analysis of disaster-related tweets

   • Focus: Natural language processing and text classification

   • Natural Language Processing with Disaster Tweets

4. Store Sales Forecasting (Kaggle)

   • Time series analysis for sales prediction

   • Focus: Time series forecasting and business analytics

   • Store Sales - Time Series Forecasting

5. Stock Market Analytics (ML Zoomcamp)

   • Build a stock market analysis and prediction system

   • Focus: Financial data analysis, time series modeling, deployment

   • Includes working with real market data and creating an end-to-end ML pipeline

   • Bonus: Opportunity to build a web interface for predictions

   • Stock Market Analytics ML Zoomcamp

6. Your Ideas! Feel free to propose more ideas in the planning session

The projects for Spring 25 are not set, and we are keen to discuss them with you. Thanks for reading through them. Let's complete the self-onboarding now: Complete your Self-Onboarding

Most important Resources

Course Material

Weekly Class Schedule

Teaching Roles Overview

About ReDI

Help

• Reach out to Caro, your Course Manager, for help via Slack.

❤️ Thank you for supporting the ReDI students ❤️

Welcome!

Welcome to ReDI School! We really appreciate that you are part of our community. In this page, you'll find an overview of the course. By volunteering, you contribute to our main goal: help our students gain the necessary skills to find a job in tech. ReDI School has now helped over 17.000 people advance their tech skills. This is only possible with the support of our volunteers <3

Our Students

• Come from 138+ countries with diverse professional backgrounds

• Average age: 32, many with university degrees and work experience

• Data Circle Students have prior knowledge in Python, Data Analytics, and/or Machine Learning

• A mix of ReDI alumni and new students with varying skill levels

• United by their passion for tech and career growth goals

❤️ Thank you for supporting our students as they take another step in their journey! To learn more about ReDI students and our community, visit About ReDI School.

Learning Concept

The Data Circle takes a hands-on approach to learning through realistic projects. Instead of traditional lectures, students work actively on data analysis or machine learning projects in small teams. This means students learn by doing - working on their code, analyzing data, and solving problems independently. The guides (you) support and steer students in the right direction. Nonetheless, we ask the students to be the main drivers behind the project. Each team tackles a semester-long project in three sprints, allowing students to apply their skills to real challenges while receiving regular guidance and feedback. This approach helps students build not just technical skills but also the independence and problem-solving abilities needed for a career in data science.

You can read more about what we share with the students on the applicant hub.

Project Structure

Timeline

1. Setup Phase (Weeks 1-3)

   • Team formation and social activities

   • Technical setup

   • Project selection

   • Git & Github workshop

2. Project Sprints (Weeks 4-13)

   • Three 3-week sprints

   • Each sprint includes planning, development, and review

3. Final Phase (Week 14)

   • Project completion

   • Demo Day preparation and presentations

Sessions

Two weekly online sessions (Tuesday & Thursday, 19:00-21:00):

• Brief updates in the main room (15 min)

• Team breakout rooms for project work (90 min)

• Regular check-ins with Guides

Team Structure

• 2-3 students per team (self-formed groups)

• Focus on collaboration and peer learning

• Regular guidance from volunteer mentors

Deliverables

Each sprint requires:

1. Code on GitHub

2. Documentation

3. Sprint presentation

4. Progress report

Activities Description

Best Practices

Project Management

• Light agile ceremonies

• GitHub for project tracking

• Regular team check-ins

Support Activities

• Stand-ups: Quick status updates and blocker identification

• Planning: Ensure meaningful work distribution

• Demos: Showcase progress

• Retros: Review and improve process

• Ad-hoc lessons on specific topics as needed

On-Site Activities

We are organizing on-site activities in our three main locations. Find out more below.

Conclusion

We hope that by reading this, you have a better idea of the course and what it means to volunteer at ReDI. Let's explore the Timeline now 📅.

Course Sheet

• Link: The link to your Course Sheet is pinned in Slack.

• Course Management: We use the Course Sheet to organize the course.

• Availability & Ownership: Volunteers assign themselves to the session. They show when they are available to teach.

• Feedback: The coursesheet has a feedback tab where we collect feedback about the session.

Not available anymore?

• Mark it in the Course Sheet so that others can see it!

Thank you very much for going through your Self-Onboarding! This ensures a smooth onboarding into your volunteer experience. Please complete the following typeform to finish the self-onboarding. If you face any problems, you can indicate them in the typeform.

🙌 Done

That's it! Thanks for completing your self-onboarding. Feel free to browse around the teacher hub. See you soon!

Attendance Tracker

• Who: The teaching assistant tracks attendance

• When: Every regular class (usually 20 minutes into the session)

• Access: Credentials are pinned in your teaching teams' Slack channel

Why track attendance?

We ask learners to join at least 80% of the sessions to obtain a certificate. We believe students can only learn if they attend. That's why attendance tracking is essential. ReDI follows up regularly with students with low attendance to offer support.

Attendance Status per Session

100% – Present: Arrive on time, actively participate, and keep the camera on.

50% – Excused: Notify in advance if unable to attend

50% – Late: Arrival more than 15 minutes late

50% – Early Leave: Leaving before the break

0% – Absent: No prior communication of absence

Camera on Policy

Students will only be marked as "present", if they join the class with their camera on.

If a student should experience internet connection problems during the class, they should either write it in the chat or unmute themselves to inform teachers and fellow students. If this is not possible, students should inform the class through a message in their students slack channel.

How to track Attendance?

Preparation Phase

Teaching Phase

Semester Outline

• Weeks 1 - 3: Tools configuration, development environment setup, project management process overview

• Remaining weeks: Split into 3-week sprints. Each sprint contains a focus topic according to the project type that needs to be completed. Milestones will break down the project into smaller deliverables. Expect weekly homework (project work) during this period.

• Demo Day: At the end of the semester, each team will present their projects to the audience of ReDI course community members.

Weekly Sessions

Sprint Outline

Activity Description

Google Classroom

• Purpose: We use Google Classroom as our learning platform. We use it for two functions: Sharing material with the students and assigning homework. You can also use it to create material.

• Google Drive: Your Google Classroom is connected to a Google Drive where material is stored.

• Calendar: Students are invited to the sessions through the calendar from the classroom

How to Upload Materials on Google Classroom

Go to Classwork. Go to Create. Select material to upload material, which is shared with the students. Select Topic to create a new section that can hold multiple materials.

Are you not in Google Classroom?

You should have received an email invitation from ReDI. Please check your emails and spam folder. Otherwise, please get in touch with the ReDI team via Slack.

Teaching Method: I Do, We Do, You Do

The "I Do, We Do, You Do" method is a teaching method designed to help students learn new concepts by first observing, then practicing with guidance, and finally working independently.

• I Do: The teacher demonstrates the task while explaining the steps and thought process aloud. This stage is about modeling the correct way to approach the task and highlighting key concepts and techniques.

• We Do: The session owner walks the students through an activity. The students follow along (code or design along). This collaborative stage allows students to apply what they've seen with support, ask questions, and receive immediate feedback.

• You Do: Students work independently on the task. This stage allows them to practice the skill on their own.

Example: Introducing Javascript

• I Do: The teacher introduces JavaScript and demonstrates a simple script that shows an alert when clicking a button. Key concepts like variables, functions, and events are explained briefly.

• We Do: The teacher walks the students through creating a function that changes a heading's color when clicking a button. The students follow and code along. The teacher shares their screen and gives the students time to code along. Together, the teacher and the students write the function, select the element, and add an event listener, with the teacher guiding and asking questions to engage students.

• You Do: Students independently write JavaScript to change the text of a paragraph when a button is clicked in a breakout room. They practice using variables, functions, and event listeners and then share their work for feedback.

Tips and Tricks

• Context before content - We experienced that explaining why a concept is important helps a lot in understanding what the concept is about. Why should you learn this concept? Try to give the context. Maybe explain where you use it in your daily work life. Or explain how this concept can help to solve a bigger problem

• Engage with Students: Ask questions to check understanding. Use their names and keep the tone friendly and encouraging.

• Be Prepared but Flexible: Have a plan but adapt based on student needs.

• Feedback is Key: Provide constructive feedback to help students improve. Celebrate small wins to keep motivation high.

More Resources

Overview

In the Circle, guides support students in building real-world projects. Rather than traditional teaching, guides help students develop practical skills through hands-on project work and agile development practices.

Guide Roles

As a guide, you basically have two roles in one :) You support the students as a product manager and as a mentor in the sessions.

1. Product Manager

• Runs team meetings (standups, planning, refinement)

• Prepares and prioritizes tasks for sprints

2. Mentor

• Conducts code reviews

• Provides one-on-one support during work sessions

• Helps students discover solutions independently

• Identifies areas where students may need additional support

Session Structure

Regular Sessions (Monday/Wednesday, 19:00-21:00)

• Standup meetings (15 minutes)

• Work time with active mentoring

• Optional micro-lectures as needed

• Team-based project work

Sprint Cycles (3 weeks)

• Sprint planning and kickoff

• Regular refinement sessions

• Demo presentations

• Retrospectives

Key Responsibilities

Before the Session

• Allocate a responsible to track attendance

During Sessions

• Facilitate team meetings

• Provide hands-on guidance

• Review code and give feedback

• Support student collaboration

Between Sessions

• Answer questions via Slack

• Prepare for upcoming sprints

• Share relevant resources

Best Practices

Supporting Students

• Encourage self-learning

• Guide rather than provide direct solutions

• Foster team collaboration

• Maintain consistent communication

Project Management

• Help break down tasks into manageable pieces

• Ensure clear acceptance criteria

• Monitor progress and address blockers

• Facilitate effective team discussions

Resources

• Team communication via Slack

• Additional support from ReDI React teachers when needed

Welcome to the Data Circle! 👋

Welcome to our teaching team! We're excited to have you join us in supporting ReDI students on their journey in tech. The Data Circle is a 14-week journey where students build realistic projects while learning modern web development skills.

As a teacher, your first step is to complete the self-onboarding process:

This hub contains everything you need to start and support your teaching journey. If you have any questions along the way, don't hesitate to contact our team on Slack.

We provide additional tools that you can use to engage students more in your sessions! At ReDI, we like to use the following tools and icebreakers:

Mentimeter (Interactive Polls)

• Create live polls, word clouds, and Q&A

• Perfect for:

  • Icebreakers: Ask students about their expectations or background knowledge.

  • Quick polls: Check understanding of a topic in real-time.

  • Exit tickets: Gather feedback at the end of a session.

• Login credentials in teachers' Slack channel

Kahoot (Learning Games)

• Quiz-based learning with competitive elements

• Perfect for Revision & Recaps - You create a quiz, and students participate live in class via browser or cell phone.

• Login credentials in teachers' Slack channel

Icebreaker Ideas

You can use quick icebreakers at the start of your sessions to energize participants, build connections, and create an engaging and interactive learning environment. Here is a list of icebreakers. They shouldn't take more than 5 minutes to run.

1. Two Truths and a Lie

• Description: Participants share three statements about themselves—two true and one false. The group has to guess which one is the lie.

• How to Run: Use breakout rooms for smaller groups or let everyone participate in the main room.

• Objective: Participants get to know each other in a fun way.

2. Virtual Scavenger Hunt

• Description: Give participants a list of items to find in their home within 1-2 minutes (e.g., something red, something that makes noise).

• How to Run: Ask them to bring the items back to the camera and share a quick story about one of them.

• Objective: The activity is an energizer.

3. Emoji Reactions

• Description: Pose a question or statement (e.g., "How are you feeling about today’s session?") and ask participants to respond using emojis only.

• How to Run: Use the chat in Zoom.

• Objective: It is an easy way for participants to share how they are doing.

More Resources

Zoom

• Zoom? It is our video conferencing tool for the classes.

• Zoom Link: You find it pinned in Slack. The Zoom link is the same for the whole semester.

• Use the App: Install the Zoom app for all functionality.

• Recordings: We record the session. More: Recordings

• Claim Host: Credentials are pinned in Slack. How to Join Zoom & Claim Host

• Join early? The Zoom call opens 45 min ahead of time. Feel free to join early.

How to Join Zoom & Claim Host

1. Find the link to the class meeting either in your calendar invite for the session or pinned in the teachers slack channel. Join with one click

2. Go to the participants list and “Claim host”. Sign in with the host key to become the host. You can find the host key (a series of 6 numbers) pinned in the teacher Slack channel.

1. Please make your co-teachers for the sessions co-hosts by right-clicking on their name from the participants list.

2. Please do not forget to record the class. We record only Input and Q&A Sessions.

Recordings

Recordings automatically save into a drive students have access to as viewers. This Drive is pinned to the students slack channel. Recordings are available for whole semester. Break out rooms cannot be recorded.

Default Zoom Settings

• When starting the meeting, audio is off, your video is off and recording is off.

• Hosts are allowed to add co-hosts.

• Possibility to send files via meeting chat.

• Breakout rooms enabled. How to setup breakout rooms: Video, Guide.

Here's an overview of the key tools we use for teaching and communication. Please set up these tools now to ensure effective collaboration with your team and students.

Slack

This is our main communication tool, both with teachers and with the students. You'll have access by default to your teaching team channel and the students' channel. Additionally, you can join our community channels in Berlin, NRW, and Hamburg to learn about local events. Please check Slack regularly during the semester and communicate with your teaching team via Slack if you cannot make it to class.

Google Calendar

We use Google Calendar to send semester meeting appointments to teachers and students.

Zoom

Our online sessions are running on Zoom. We highly recommend installing and updating the Zoom app on your device, as the online version doesn't cover all functionalities. Please note: The class Zoom link is the same for the entire semester.

Google Classroom

We use Google Classroom to share material with the students and to collect and give feedback to projects and homework. The Classroom may not be so relevant for the Data Circle as you share less material with students. Nonetheless, if you do share material, please share it via Classroom so that the material is stored in a central place and can be reused in the next semester.

The Circle is all about projects. That's why we don't have a lot of content to share, but rather project guidelines and material. For Spring 2025, we aim to review the project ideas and enhance the structure of the project guidelines we share with the students.

Previous Projects

• Previous Projects include Stack Overflow data and Twitter Data (Project Introduction).

• The projects lacked a clear goal of what the students could achieve with it. This is what we want to improve for Spring 2025.

Project Framework

Project Requirements

• Goal - Each project needs a clear, achievable goal - either a product to build or a specific problem to solve

• Structure - Projects should be pre-structured, including deliverables, so that students clearly understand what to deliver

• Dataset - Data sets must be pre-validated to ensure feasibility and quality

Project Guidelines

• We aim to create project guidelines in a GitHub repo that include a structured project roadmap and a breakdown of the complex tasks into more manageable steps.

• Guidelines should include:

  • Description

  • Technologies

  • Dataset

  • Deliverables

  • Evaluation Criteria

  • Plagiarism & AI

  • Resources

• An example we can use as a template: ML Zoomcamp Projects

Spring 2025 Project Ideas

1. Flu Shot Learning (DrivenData)

   • Predict H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccine adoption

   • Focus: Classification and healthcare analytics

   • Flu Shot Learning: Predict H1N1 and Seasonal Flu Vaccines

2. Water Table Analysis (DrivenData)

   • Data mining for water pump functionality prediction

   • Focus: Feature engineering and classification

   • Pump it Up: Data Mining the Water Table

3. Disaster Tweet Classification (Kaggle)

   • NLP analysis of disaster-related tweets

   • Focus: Natural language processing and text classification

   • Natural Language Processing with Disaster Tweets

4. Store Sales Forecasting (Kaggle)

   • Time series analysis for sales prediction

   • Focus: Time series forecasting and business analytics

   • Store Sales - Time Series Forecasting

5. Stock Market Analytics (ML Zoomcamp)

   • Build a stock market analysis and prediction system

   • Focus: Financial data analysis, time series modeling, deployment

   • Includes working with real market data and creating an end-to-end ML pipeline

   • Bonus: Opportunity to build a web interface for predictions

   • Stock Market Analytics ML Zoomcamp

6. Your Ideas! Feel free to propose more ideas in the planning session

How do I share material with students?

We use Google Classroom to share material with the students. Please have a look here:

How do I create more engagement in class?

Best practices for teaching?

More material, feedback, or ideas?

If you find good material, ReDI could use, and if you have feedback or further ideas, feel free to contact Julian via Slack or email (julian@redi-school.org).