Starter repo for building interactive R courses
The Online Course Starter for R is an impressive starting point for anyone looking to develop educational courses using R programming. Built on the robust foundations of the Gatsby framework for the front end, combined with Binder for back-end code execution, this repository provides both flexibility and utility for educators and developers alike. Whether you’re an experienced developer or just beginning your journey, this repository offers a structured way to create interactive and engaging learning experiences.
The integration of Gatsby and Binder makes it easier than ever to build a seamless educational platform. Gatsby serves as the client-side framework, allowing for dynamic and responsive web applications, while Binder provides the server-side functionality necessary for executing R code in an interactive notebook environment. This hybrid approach not only enhances usability but also encourages collaboration and sharing among users.
Easy Deployment: Seamlessly deploy your course to platforms like Netlify, ensuring your content is accessible and user-friendly.
Local Development Setup: Start a local development server with simple installation steps, allowing for quick testing and iteration.
Customizable Meta Information: Tailor your course by editing the meta.json file and the binder/install.R, making it specific to your needs.
Flexible Content Structure: Add and organize chapters, exercises, and slides easily, with the option to set separate content licenses for your materials.
UI Customization: Modify the user interface through theme.sass and update static images, providing a personalized experience for users.
Gatsby & Binder Integration: Enjoy seamless communication between the frontend and backend, powered by the clever Juniper plugin, allowing for real-time code execution and interaction.
Reproducible Research Support: Leverage Binder for creating shareable notebooks, ideal for education and research, enhancing collaboration and reproducibility.
Effective Example Usage: While it currently suggests improvements for code examples, the repository serves as a foundational step toward more elegant R coding practices.
