Learning Wednesdays

Learning Wednesdays is an initiative aimed at fostering continuous growth and knowledge sharing within our team. By offering a variety of formats—such as workshops, presentations, and discussion clubs—we create opportunities for team members to explore new ideas, learn new tools, and collaborate on projects.

The goal is not just to enhance individual skills but to strengthen our collective expertise, making us more adaptable and innovative as a team. These sessions are designed to encourage open dialogue, cross-team collaboration, and creative problem-solving, ultimately improving both our work and our understanding of the clients we serve.

Through Learning Wednesdays, we aim to cultivate a culture of learning and innovation, where team members feel empowered to share insights, ask questions, and contribute to each other’s growth.

Format

Learning Wednesdays will be a live session conducted via Google Meet. Each session will follow one of the formats:
  • Wrench Workshops: Hands-on sessions designed to provide practical learning through collaboration and experimentation.
  • Clinking Beer Mugs Clubs: Casual, discussion-driven gatherings focused on collaborative exploration of ideas, challenges, or learning goals.
  • Microphone Presentations: Informative sessions where team members share knowledge on projects, tools, or relevant topics.

Attending

To attend Learning Wednesdays, simply refer to the calendar invites that have been sent out. Each invite will contain the topic, time, and details for the current session. Be sure to check the calendar regularly, as the session format and topic will vary from week to week. Whether it’s a workshop, presentation, or club discussion, all the information you need will be in the invite.

Presenting

If you’re presenting at a Learning Wednesday, preparation depends on the session format:

  • Workshops: Prepare hands-on exercises or collaborative activities that engage participants in practical tasks. Ensure you provide any necessary tools or resources beforehand.
  • Presentations: Create a structured presentation on your selected topic, project, or tool. Include key insights, challenges, solutions, and any lessons learned. Be ready for an interactive Q&A afterward. In the past we've seen:
  • "Classic" Presentations: you present something with slides about a topic you're interested/expert in. It's what generally happens at conferences.
  • Tech Spotlights: present something you know (project/saas service/tool), in any format (full-on presentation or quick and dirty screensharing).
  • Clubs: Guide the discussion by preparing a few key topics or questions that will stimulate group interaction. Focus on creating a collaborative environment where participants can share insights and ideas. It's the perfect format if you don't have time to prepare but still want to watch a video/read a post together.

No matter the format, the goal is to make the session interactive and engaging for all participants. However, it is also a learning opportunity for you, the presenter. If you need advice or help preparing your workshop, presentation, or club session, feel free to reach out to NiNick Belzer or AnAndrea Vassallo.

After the event

After each Learning Wednesday session, if you are interested in further exploring the topics covered, feel free to reach out to the presenter or facilitator. There may be additional resources, follow-up activities, or initiatives for continued learning.
Additionally, the calls are recorded, and you can access the session recording in  the shared drive dedicated to learning and development .

Benefits

  • Books Knowledge Sharing: Expands the collective expertise within the team, promoting continuous learning.
  • Rocket Innovation: Encourages the adoption of new tools, methodologies, and creative approaches.
  • Handshake Collaboration: Facilitates deeper collaboration and knowledge exchange across the team.
  • Seedling Personal and Professional Growth: Provides opportunities to improve both technical and soft skills.

For any questions or additional information, please contact the initiative owners (you can find them at the top of this page).

Schedule

Title
Date
Author/s
Type
Medusa JS
Nov 20, 2024
AnAndrea Vassallo
Effect-TS
Nov 13, 2024
LoLorenzo Rapetti
Nov 6, 2024
Oct 30, 2024
Oct 23, 2024
Digital Product Passports
Oct 16, 2024
AlAlessandro Desantis
Oct 9, 2024
MaMarco Arduini
The shopify_app gem: a tool for building Shopify apps

Oct 2, 2024
Background jobs in Rails: lessons learned

Sep 4, 2024
FiFilippo Liverani