Add precourse, close #263 by Robinlovelace · Pull Request #281 · itsleeds/tds

Robinlovelace · 2026-01-20T16:25:04Z

No description provided.

Copilot

Pull request overview

This pull request adds a pre-course self-assessment questionnaire for the Transport Data Science module (TRAN5340M), addressing issue #263. The questionnaire helps prospective students evaluate their readiness for the course through a comprehensive set of questions covering computing fundamentals, programming experience, data science knowledge, transport concepts, tools, and learning approaches.

Changes:

Added a new printable pre-course self-assessment questionnaire (precourse.qmd) with 22 questions across 7 sections
Updated the Quarto configuration to include navigation links to both interactive and printable versions of the assessment
Modified the document generation script to copy generated docx files to a local OneDrive directory
Adjusted heading levels in the formative assessment brief for better document structure consistency

Reviewed changes

Copilot reviewed 4 out of 4 changed files in this pull request and generated 5 comments.

File	Description
precourse.qmd	New comprehensive pre-course questionnaire with scoring guidance and recommended preparation resources
_quarto.yml	Added navigation entries for both interactive and printable versions of the pre-course assessment
scripts/create-docxs.sh	Added conditional logic to copy generated docx files to a user-specific OneDrive directory
d2/assessment-brief.qmd	Changed heading levels from h1/h2 to h2/h3 for improved document hierarchy

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Copilot · 2026-01-20T16:59:17Z

precourse.qmd

+<div class="question">Q4. Do you have experience with R programming?</div>
+<div class="option">☐ Yes, extensive (I use R regularly for data analysis)</div>
+<div class="option">☐ Yes, intermediate (I can write scripts and use common packages)</div>
+<div class="option">☐ Yes, basic (I've completed an introduction to R)</div>
+<div class="option">☐ No, but I'm willing to learn</div>
+<div class="option">☐ No experience</div>
+
+<div class="question">Q5. Which of the following R packages have you used?</div>
+<div class="option">☐ tidyverse (dplyr, ggplot2, readr, etc.)</div>
+<div class="option">☐ sf (spatial data handling)</div>
+<div class="option">☐ tmap (mapping/visualization)</div>
+<div class="option">☐ stats19 (road safety data)</div>
+<div class="option">☐ stplanr (transport planning)</div>
+<div class="option">☐ None of the above</div>
+
+<div class="question">Q6. Have you worked with Quarto or R Markdown documents?</div>
+<div class="option">☐ Yes, extensively (I use them for reports and reproducible work)</div>
+<div class="option">☐ Yes, occasionally (I've created simple documents)</div>
+<div class="option">☐ No, but I'm familiar with the concept</div>
+<div class="option">☐ No, never heard of them</div>


Question numbering is duplicated in Section 2. There are duplicate Q4, Q5, and Q6 question numbers that conflict with questions in Section 1. The questions in Section 2.1 should be renumbered to continue from the previous section's numbering (starting from Q8 onwards after fixing Section 1.2's numbering).

Copilot · 2026-01-20T16:59:18Z

scripts/create-docxs.sh

+# Copy to OneDrive if it exists
+DEST_DIR="/c/Users/georl/OneDrive - University of Leeds/career/modules/tds/2025-26"
+if [ -d "$DEST_DIR" ]; then


The script contains a hardcoded user-specific path that will fail for other users. The path "/c/Users/georl/OneDrive - University of Leeds/career/modules/tds/2025-26" is specific to a single user account. Consider removing this personal path from the shared repository, or make it configurable through an environment variable that users can set in their local environment without committing to the repository.

Suggested change

# Copy to OneDrive if it exists

DEST_DIR="/c/Users/georl/OneDrive - University of Leeds/career/modules/tds/2025-26"

if [ -d "$DEST_DIR" ]; then

# Copy to OneDrive if it exists; configure destination via TDS_DEST_DIR environment variable

DEST_DIR="${TDS_DEST_DIR:-}"

if [ -n "$DEST_DIR" ] && [ -d "$DEST_DIR" ]; then

Copilot · 2026-01-20T16:59:18Z

_quarto.yml

+      - href: precourse-interactive.qmd
+        text: Pre-Course Self-Assessment (Interactive)


The navigation references a file "precourse-interactive.qmd" that is not included in this pull request. This will result in a broken link when users try to access the "Pre-Course Self-Assessment (Interactive)" page. Either include the missing file in this PR or remove this navigation entry until the file is ready.

Suggested change

- href: precourse-interactive.qmd

text: Pre-Course Self-Assessment (Interactive)

# - href: precourse-interactive.qmd

# text: Pre-Course Self-Assessment (Interactive)

Copilot · 2026-01-20T16:59:19Z

precourse.qmd

+
+## Interactive Version
+
+For an interactive, client-side version of this questionnaire with automatic scoring, please visit the [Interactive Pre-Course Self-Assessment](precourse-interactive.html).


The document references a non-existent file "precourse-interactive.html". The link will be broken since the corresponding "precourse-interactive.qmd" file is not included in this pull request. Either include the interactive version file in this PR or remove this reference until the file is ready.

Suggested change

For an interactive, client-side version of this questionnaire with automatic scoring, please visit the [Interactive Pre-Course Self-Assessment](precourse-interactive.html).

An interactive, client-side version of this questionnaire with automatic scoring will be made available in a future release.

Copilot · 2026-01-20T16:59:19Z

precourse.qmd

+<div class="question">Q4. Have you spent more than 10 hours in total using R or Python to generate "tangible results" (e.g., figures for a thesis, professional reports, or reproducible datasets)?</div>
+<div class="option">☐ Yes, I have used code to deliver professional or academic-grade outputs</div>
+<div class="option">☐ Yes, I have produced basic figures/tables for coursework</div>
+<div class="option">☐ I have spent time in the environment but never produced a "finished" product</div>
+<div class="option">☐ No, I have only followed step-by-step tutorials with provided solutions</div>
+
+<div class="question">Q5. Which of the following have you produced using R, Python or another programming language such as Julia, Rust, or JavaScript/TypeScript? (Tick all that apply)</div>
+<div class="option">☐ A data visualization (e.g., map or chart) for a project</div>
+<div class="option">☐ A clean, processed dataset from raw data</div>
+<div class="option">☐ A statistical analysis or model (e.g., regression)</div>
+<div class="option">☐ An interactive dashboard or web application</div>
+<div class="option">☐ An automated/reproducible report or technical document</div>
+<div class="option">☐ None of the above</div>
+
+<div class="question">Q6. Please provide details on the project(s) you have worked on. Explain which IDEs (e.g., RStudio, VS Code) and packages you used, how exactly the data science work contributed to the output, and approximately how much time (in hours) you spent on it:</div>
+<div class="option" style="border: 1px solid #dee2e6; min-height: 100px; padding: 10px; margin-top: 10px; border-radius: 4px;">
+</div>
+
+<div class="question">Q5. Which of the following "Critical Blockers" have you successfully solved independently? (Tick all that apply)</div>
+<div class="option">☐ **Working Directories**: Fixing "File not found" errors by managing relative/absolute paths</div>
+<div class="option">☐ **Data Types**: Troubleshooting why a plot fails because a column is a 'string' vs 'numeric'</div>
+<div class="option">☐ **Package Management**: Resolving failed library installations or version conflicts</div>
+<div class="option">☐ **Vector/List Logic**: Understanding why your code ran but only returned a single value instead of a column</div>
+<div class="option">☐ **Documentation**: Successfully using StackOverflow or documentation to fix a specific error message</div>
+<div class="option">☐ None of the above</div>


Question numbering is duplicated in Section 1.2. There are two questions labeled "Q5" (lines 143 and 155) and one labeled "Q4" (line 137). The questions should be renumbered sequentially. The question at line 137 should be Q4, the question at line 143 should be Q5, the question at line 151 should be Q6, and the question at line 155 should be Q7.

Robinlovelace · 2026-01-20T17:08:13Z

@copilot open a new pull request to apply changes based on the comments in this thread

Copilot · 2026-01-20T17:08:23Z

@Robinlovelace I've opened a new pull request, #282, to work on those changes. Once the pull request is ready, I'll request review from you.

Fix question numbering, remove broken links, and make OneDrive path configurable

harrysroberts

Summarising my comments, the main issues I identified are that the scoring system doesn't neatly and uniformly apply to all of the questions, and that some of the later questions are more to do with preferences and practicalities rather than personal suitability for the course, and should probably fall under a different section after the scoring process.

harrysroberts · 2026-01-20T18:00:24Z

precourse.qmd

+<div class="option">☐ Yes, regularly (I use it for various tasks)</div>
+<div class="option">☐ Yes, occasionally (I've used it for simple commands)</div>
+<div class="option">☐ No, but I'm willing to learn</div>
+<div class="option">☐ No, and I'm not familiar with it</div>


The third and fourth options are not mutually exclusive - someone can be unfamiliar but still willing to learn.
Perhaps something like "No, and I'm not interested" would work better?

Agreed and updated, to the following, they should be keen not just 'willing'!

<div class="question">Q2. Have you used a command line interface (e.g., PowerShell, Terminal, Linux shell) before?</div> <div class="option">☐ Yes, regularly (I use it for multiple tasks including file management and installing software)</div> <div class="option">☐ Yes, occasionally (I've used it for simple commands, such as simple one-off calculations, navigating directories or listing files)</div> <div class="option">☐ No, but keen to learn</div> <div class="option">☐ No, and I'm not interested</div>

harrysroberts · 2026-01-20T18:01:23Z

precourse.qmd

+<div class="option">☐ Yes, intermediate (I can write scripts and use common packages)</div>
+<div class="option">☐ Yes, basic (I've completed an introduction to R)</div>
+<div class="option">☐ No, but I'm willing to learn</div>
+<div class="option">☐ No experience</div>


Ditto comment on line 123

harrysroberts · 2026-01-20T18:22:50Z

precourse.qmd

+- **Somewhat comfortable/Basic**: 2 points
+- **Not very comfortable/Beginner**: 1 point
+- **No experience/Not familiar**: 0 points
+


The scoring system does not neatly map onto all of the questions - some have fewer than five alternatives, some are 'tick all that apply'. This invites the student's subjective assessment in those instances, which may not be appropriate (self-confidence varies across individuals).

precourse.qmd

harrysroberts · 2026-01-20T18:30:03Z

precourse.qmd

+<div class="option">☐ Yes, occasionally (I've tried them a few times)</div>
+<div class="option">☐ No, but I'm interested in trying</div>
+<div class="option">☐ No, and I'm not interested</div>
+


Q21 - If someone doesn't want to use AI should they score lower? Perhaps controversial - people may have ethical/environmental concerns.

Possibly could also go in a non-scoring section like Q20.

harrysroberts · 2026-01-20T18:44:42Z

precourse.qmd

+<div class="option">☐ No, but I'm interested in learning</div>
+<div class="option">☐ No, and I'm not familiar with transport datasets</div>
+
+<div class="question">Q18. Are you familiar with any of these transport data sources?</div>


"(Tick all that apply)" should be added.

harrysroberts · 2026-01-20T18:45:17Z

precourse.qmd

+<div class="option">☐ I plan to use a university computer lab</div>
+<div class="option">☐ I plan to use cloud-based services (e.g., GitHub Codespaces)</div>
+
+<div class="question">Q26. Have you installed any of the following software?</div>


"(Tick all that apply)" should be added.

harrysroberts · 2026-01-20T18:46:34Z

precourse.qmd

+<div class="option">☐ Yes, intermediate (I can write scripts and use common libraries)</div>
+<div class="option">☐ Yes, basic (I've completed an introduction to Python)</div>
+<div class="option">☐ No, but I'm willing to learn</div>
+<div class="option">☐ No experience</div>


Ditto comment on line 123

harrysroberts · 2026-01-20T18:46:56Z

precourse.qmd

+<div class="option">☐ Yes, extensively (I regularly work with transport data)</div>
+<div class="option">☐ Yes, occasionally (I've used transport datasets in projects)</div>
+<div class="option">☐ No, but I'm interested in learning</div>
+<div class="option">☐ No, and I'm not familiar with transport datasets</div>


Ditto comment on line 123

harrysroberts · 2026-01-20T18:47:01Z

precourse.qmd

+<div class="option">☐ Yes, intermediate (I can commit, push, and pull code)</div>
+<div class="option">☐ Yes, basic (I've created a GitHub account and made simple commits)</div>
+<div class="option">☐ No, but I'm willing to learn</div>
+<div class="option">☐ No experience</div>


Ditto comment on line 123

Robinlovelace · 2026-01-20T21:58:21Z

Great feedback @harrysroberts, many thanks! I plan to look at this and update tomorrow.

Robinlovelace · 2026-01-22T14:48:02Z

Updated Q2 last option to "No, and I'm not interested" to ensure mutual exclusivity, as suggested.

…-title class

…n task lists

…ourse.qmd

…d hidden scoring comments

…urse.qmd

…olds in precourse.qmd

…nd Mac Terminal

…ter logical flow

…n section

…course.qmd" This reverts commit 60f3996.

…clarity

Robinlovelace linked an issue Jan 20, 2026 that may be closed by this pull request

Pre-requisites #263

Closed

Robinlovelace requested review from Hussein-Mahfouz, Copilot, juanfonsecaLS1, mem48 and wangzhao0217 January 20, 2026 16:55

Copilot started reviewing on behalf of Robinlovelace January 20, 2026 16:56 View session

Robinlovelace requested a review from harrysroberts January 20, 2026 16:56

Copilot AI reviewed Jan 20, 2026

View reviewed changes

Copilot AI mentioned this pull request Jan 20, 2026

Fix question numbering, remove broken links, and make OneDrive path configurable #282

Merged

Merge pull request #282 from itsleeds/copilot/sub-pr-281

7d3cda5

Fix question numbering, remove broken links, and make OneDrive path configurable

harrysroberts reviewed Jan 20, 2026

View reviewed changes

Update Q2 options to be mutually exclusive per Harry's comment

2966f63

Robinlovelace added 13 commits January 22, 2026 14:48

Update Q8 and Q11 options to be mutually exclusive per Harry's comment

b9cb3dc

Update Q14 and Q17 options to be mutually exclusive per Harry's comment

c59ee8a

Add (Tick all that apply) to Q9, Q12, Q18, Q26 per Harry's comment

2629746

Update q2

acedb99

Remove pdf aspect of precourse causing actions to fail

50d6f53

Refactor headers in precourse.qmd: remove section numbers and section…

f48abc7

…-title class

Remove all custom styling from precourse.qmd and use standard markdow…

2b03aaf

…n task lists

Remove horizontal rules and underscores from precourse.qmd

02e8716

Convert question labels to H4 headers for automatic numbering in prec…

e821508

…ourse.qmd

Move non-scoring questions to Preferences and feedback section and ad…

cec1182

…d hidden scoring comments

Add scoring instructions as HTML comments for every question in preco…

8b0ee43

…urse.qmd

Remove redundant transport dataset question and update scoring thresh…

0bf43f9

…olds in precourse.qmd

Include Command Prompt in CLI examples in precourse.qmd

b6a2e4e

Robinlovelace and others added 11 commits January 22, 2026 16:52

Refine CLI examples: mention PowerShell, Command Prompt in Windows, a…

e8c4000

…nd Mac Terminal

Swap CLI and software installation questions in precourse.qmd for bet…

812153f

…ter logical flow

AI tools

9b2777a

Restore PDF formatting and interactive version mention in precourse.qmd

60f3996

Finalize precourse.qmd: restore PDF format and Recommended Preparatio…

cf13c6d

…n section

final updates

3a00d30

Revert "Restore PDF formatting and interactive version mention in pre…

f4cd6af

…course.qmd" This reverts commit 60f3996.

Overhaul precourse self-assessment questionnaire for conciseness and …

f940320

…clarity

Format score interpretation into separate paragraphs

003a65d

Update Beginner level scoring interpretation in precourse.qmd

571bd59

Merge branch 'main' into 263-pre-requisites

ca14dce

Robinlovelace merged commit 1c8a905 into main Jan 22, 2026
2 checks passed

Robinlovelace deleted the 263-pre-requisites branch January 22, 2026 23:27

		- href: precourse-interactive.qmd
		text: Pre-Course Self-Assessment (Interactive)


		## Interactive Version

		For an interactive, client-side version of this questionnaire with automatic scoring, please visit the [Interactive Pre-Course Self-Assessment](precourse-interactive.html).

	For an interactive, client-side version of this questionnaire with automatic scoring, please visit the [Interactive Pre-Course Self-Assessment](precourse-interactive.html).
	An interactive, client-side version of this questionnaire with automatic scoring will be made available in a future release.

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