Trainstation: A unified virtual environment for programming training
Aidan Wilson1, Abdullah Shaikh1 1Intersect Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Abstract
Introduction
Intersect has been at the forefront of delivering large-scale programming training since 2015, with Python and R emerging as our most popular courses. As our training program expanded in terms of both courseware and popularity, the need for robust infrastructure has become paramount.
Methods
To address these challenges, Intersect this year launched Trainstation; a unified training environment for delivering programming training. Trainstation leverages the Nectar research cloud, providing complete control over the configuration of packages and data, and simplifying access for attendees. Building on a reliable stack of existing technologies, Trainstation minimises administrative burden and automates mundane tasks in planning and delivering training, such as the management of user accounts, training data, and software.
Results
The implementation of Trainstation has further enhanced the trainee experience, as attendees no longer need to worry about installations and package downloads. Trainers can immediately focus on the teaching, and are also empowered to troubleshoot issues more simply, as trainees’ code exists in a single environment that trainers can inspect. Trainstation also simplifies administration; allowing libraries, packages and data to be updated once and applying to all trainees. Finally, leveraging the Nectar cloud enables scalability, allowing expansion of resources for larger courses or workshops with higher computational requirements.
Conclusion
By simplifying access and eliminating technical barriers, Trainstation empowers instructors to focus on teaching while providing attendees with a fully configured coding environment. This presentation will demonstrate Trainstation, focusing on how it enhances the overall training experience for trainees, trainers, and training administrators.
Biography
Dr Abdullah Shaikh is a Data Scientist and Machine Learning enthusiast. His areas of expertise are Environmental Sustainability, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence and Deep Learning. Abdullah has vast experience of providing training on digital research tools and is now focusing on AI/ML activities at UNSW.
Most recently, Dr Shaikh was Intersect’s Digital Research Analyst at UNSW Sydney, where he has delivered training to thousands of researchers.
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5964-8464