Learn, Vibe, Build · ATLS 4519 · CU Boulder · Monday August 24, 2026 · Aaron Neyer
How to use this file. This is the on-screen text of this week's slides as plain markdown. Paste it into your AI and ask it to explain, quiz you, or connect it to your own project. The interactive deck is at https://cu.learnvibe.build/slides/first-class/
In one line: What this course is, the three C's (cognition, communication, creativity), the weekly rhythm, and the first shared practice.
Slides
Learn, Vibe, Build.
ATLS 4519 · First class - A studio course about building real things with AI.
I’m Aaron G Neyer
- Recent ATLAS Masters Graduate Long time software developer. Local builder of technology & community.
What does it mean to be a builder now? What is the future of programming?
Where this class comes from
What is this class?
The class
Who is in the room?
Quick pulse - ✋I have coded without AI. - ✋I feel like a complete novice. - ✋AI helped me become a builder.
This is a class about computers.
The three C’s - It’s also a class about cognition, communication, and creativity.
AI can help us think.
01 · Cognition - But if we aren’t careful, we’ll forget to think for ourselves.
AI works better if we can articulate ourselves clearly.
02 · Communication - Writing and talking well, both to machines and to humans, are more important skills than ever.
Human creativity is and will be a key source for novelty.
03 · Creativity - Stay inspired.
How I got here.
Why I am teaching this - You can leave tech, come back, and change what it means to you. I did.
Introduce yourself.
Your turn - While other people talk, listen. Don’t spend the time rehearsing yours.
Stretch. Talk to someone whose path surprised you.
Intros, continued.
Welcome back
Watch me build something.
Demo - From a blank folder to something working, narrated. - The agents and systems I actually use every day. - A quick look at a few tools worth knowing.
Use AI to augment your thinking, not replace it.
The operating principle - And you stay responsible for what you make and what it does.
One artifact. One reflection. One share.
How the class works - 01 - Make something someone else can try, read, watch, or use. Small and unfinished is fine. - 02 - Write at least one paragraph in your own words: what you did, what changed, what you learned. - 03 - Demo weeks: show whatever you’re working on or stuck on. Off weeks: ask questions, give real feedback. - A failed experiment you can explain beats a polished thing you can’t.
How grading works.
Grading - 50% - Artifact + reflection + studio share. - 20% - Attendance, listening, participation, and useful feedback. - 30% - A culminating artifact, showcase demo, and reflection. - Grades track whether the work happened. Feedback is where we talk about where it could go.
If you need to miss a class.
Attendance + communication - Two passesNo documentation and no explanation required. - Life happensCommunicate before class or as soon as you reasonably can. - Stay connectedDo a make-up share or contribution and you get the credit back. - Sick? Stay home and ask to join by Zoom. Accommodations and religious observances never use up a pass.
Use whatever tools serve the work.
Tools - Your pick.ChatGPT + Codex, Claude, Gemini, Grok, local models, creative tools, paper, cameras, physical materials. - Where we’ll start.ChatGPT Edu is free with your CU login. In week 2 we’ll claim the $100 Codex student credits together in class.
Three paragraphs. No separate artifact yet.
Week one · Intention baseline - Due Sunday, August 30, 11:59 PM in Canvas. Write more if you have more to say. AI can ask you questions, but the writing should be yours.
Live studio time.
Next Monday - We’ll build things together in class — everyone gets space to build live and to share.
We’ll build the structure of this class together.
How this evolves
For Sunday: three honest paragraphs.
This week - You don’t need to know what you’re doing yet. Nobody entirely does.
Make something. Show your work.
Learn, Vibe, Build - See you next Monday.
Go deeper with your AI
Paste this whole file into your AI, then try one:
- "Explain this week's main idea using my project as the example: [describe your project]."
- "Quiz me on this, one question at a time. Tell me what I missed."
- "What's one small thing I could build this week that practices this?"