Abstract
Git, an open source version control software, is difficult to both teach and learn because it conceals its work in a hidden directory and is often deployed using a command line interface. Yet, version control is an essential tool of reproducible research. Two librarians formed a playful partnership to experiment with teaching Git using LEGO, an approach inspired by our Carpentries Instructor certifications and one’s LEGO Serious Play certification. Our method combines novice-centric Carpentries pedagogy with theories of play, constructionism, constructivism, conceptual metaphor, and the hand-mind connection that are foundational to LEGO Serious Play. We share details of developing, testing, and assessing this Git-LEGO combination. Our preliminary study indicates that our LEGO activity may increase learners' short-term retention of Git commands. We discuss future directions for our research and our experiences as academic librarians in a playful partnership.
Keywords
Git, Version Control Software, LEGO Serious Play, The Carpentries, Teaching, Partnership, Play, Novice
How to Cite
Brooks-Kieffer, J. & Albin, T., (2022) “Git going with LEGO”, The Journal of Play in Adulthood 4(2), 177-204. doi: https://doi.org/10.5920/jpa.1030
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