Get help
Web development can be complex and hard — but you’ll eventually get it if you put in the effort. Below are all the ways you can help yourself and get help from others.
If you’re having troubles or finding code difficult here are the options for getting help:
1 Watch all the videos
Watching the videos for each week is extremely helpful. If you haven’t been watching them not only are you losing marks but you’re also ignoring the primary source of learning materials.
- Find the videos & tutorials listed on every weekly dashboard page—like this dashboard from Web Dev 1, Week 2.
- Watch the videos right at the top of each tutorial—like the video playlist on the HTML semantics tutorial.
- At the bottom of each tutorial is a list of all the videos—like at the bottom of the HTML semantics tutorial.
What if I don’t like videos?
That’s perfectly okay—that’s why every video playlist is accompanied by a written tutorial, like this tutorial on HTML semantics.
Video watching is expected
There are ~14 weeks in the term—many of which will have videos.
The videos are part of your homework—you’re expected to watch all them.
2 Attend all the labs
Attendance at the labs outside class is extremely highly recommended. You should be attending all labs.
The labs are a perfect time to ask questions of your peers and the TAs. If you don’t have work to do then help your peers—helping others is one of the best ways to truly learn the material.
Attend multiple labs
If you didn’t get all the help you needed from a single lab—because it was too busy, or because you want extra help—attend another lab. Attend all the labs even!
Lab sticky note system
Labs will follow a slightly modified sticky note system, pictured below.
- Green
- No help needed—working or watching
- Yellow
- Help needed—anybody can help out
- Red
- Help from TA—always has priority
- (None)
- Success!—helping others
3 Tag your teacher on GitHub
If you’re away from school and you need help, open an Issue on GitHub and tag your teacher, they’ll get back to you in a timely manner and guide you.
Thomas
@thomasjbradley4 Stop by office hours
Many of the teachers have office hours that you can drop by and get help directly from them—they’re literally sitting there waiting for people to come ask questions. Use this time!
These things shouldn’t need to be said—but:
- Do come prepared—laptop awake, code open.
- Come with specific questions and concerns or looking for specific feedback.
- If there’s a huge line-up, each meeting will have time limit to accommodate everybody.
Book alternative times
If the times don’t work for you, contact your teacher directly and ask if they’re willing to meet at another time.
The term is not currently running so there are no defined office hours.
Email unlisted professors to make an appointment.
6 Email your teacher
If you’re really struggling and don’t know what to do—please talk to your teacher. Don’t stay quiet—speak up (even if it’s digitally)—staying quiet will only make things compound.
Your teacher can help you out and point you in a direction.