Welcome to your CS231 lab! This is intended as informal work time for you to get started on each week's project with lots of support from your lab instructor and lab TAs. That being said, we do have some structures in place to make sure this time is as useful to you as possible!
You can find answers to the following questions below:Your lab is scheduled as a 3 hour block from 1-3:50, but you're only expected to stay until you complete the lab check-in showing that you've been able to complete a certain amount of the lab work. Your attendance in lab is required to show us your work at the lab check-in, but if you're unable to make it on a given day, you have options. See What should I do if I have to miss lab?.
The usual format of the lab is that your lab instructor will spend the first 10-20 minutes on a mini-lesson giving an overview of the week's project, and a recap of the concepts needed for the project. Any time after that is informal work time for you to finish the work for the lab check-in. After you've shown your check-in, you're welcome to leave, but you're also welcome and encouraged to stay and keep working on the project!
This time is informal. You're encouraged to talk with eachother, bring snacks or drinks, leave and come back into the room as needed, or do anything else (within reason) that will make you feel more comfortable and productive.
Please remember to always bring the following things to lab!
Each project will come with a bolded "lab checkpoint" that usually consists of a test script to test a portion of the code you write for the lab. When you're ready, walk up to the front of the room for your lab isntructor to give you credit for the lab. You will show your instructor that your code passes the test script and we'll record that you have credit for this lab!
Your lab instructor and 1-2 TAs will be in the room answering questions all lab period. Raise your hand or call us over in some other way when you need help or have a question.
This course has a lot of staff to help you through the projects! Take a look at the How to Get Help section to see a full list of who is available to help you when!
If you've been in lab the whole time and are unable to complete the check-in, come to your lab instructor's office hours or make alternative arrangements with your lab instructor to show us your completed lab checkpoint by the end of the day on Friday.
If you're unable to come to lab on a given day, you have 2 options. The first is to attend the other lab section that week--you don't need to tell us ahead of time if you're doing this. The second is to come by your instructor's office hours (or make alternative arrangements) to show us your checkpoint by the end of the day on Friday. These can be done on zoom if needed (e.g. if you're sick or traveling).