SPA Conference session: Introduction to Smalltalk

One-line description:A hands on tutorial that will teach attendees Smalltalk
 
Session format: Long tutorial (330 mins) [read about the different session types]
 
Abstract:This session will introduce attendees to Smalltalk. A basic overview of the language will be given, followed by a hands-on session devoted to teaching by doing. We'll build up a small application during the session as a way of introducing the Smalltalk language and environment to the audience. Attendees will come away with enough knowledge of Smalltalk to follow up on their own.

Once the basic syntax and tools are covered, we'll start with a simple domain problem. The domain problem will be introduced in small pieces, as a way of progressively introducing problem solving methods in Smalltalk, and the tools used to solve those problems.
 
Audience background:Attendees should have some programming background, but no Smalltalk knowledge will be assumed
 
Benefits of participating:If you are interested in Smalltalk and/or dynamic languages, this is your chance to learn! Learning Smalltalk will make you a better developer, even if you never use the language in your day job.
 
Materials provided:CD's with Smalltalk
 
Process:We'll proceed with "mini-lectures" - 5-10 minutes of topic introduction, followed by the group working together to build up the small application that will be introduced.

I would like to encourage at least pairing of developers.
 
Detailed timetable:
 
Outputs:We'll end up with a sample application (I'll post it on my blog), along with my "reference" application. I'll write up how the session went, and post that as well. All particpants will receive the reference application and the Smalltalk installation CD.
 
History:I have taught Smalltalk introduction classes, but never in this particular format. I did speak to the organizers at the end of SPA 2006, and they sounded interested
 
Presenters
1. James A. Robertson
Cincom Systems, Inc.
2. 3.