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Classroom: Docker installation is the real setup barrier #33

@cuihtlauac

Description

@cuihtlauac

Parent issue: #24

Problem (from UCSD study, Valstar et al., ITiCSE 2020)

In a 416-student study, 18% found DevContainer setup difficult and 35% needed help. The authors pinpoint the cause: installing Docker itself is the hard part, not the devcontainer. Once Docker works, opening the devcontainer is "a single mouse click."

64% of TAs agreed they "had to help many students with setting up their DevContainer." The authors argue this is a one-time cost that only occurs in the first course using DevContainers.

Historical issues included Windows Home edition lacking Hyper-V support (now resolved by WSL2, but WSL2 setup itself can be a friction point).

Proposed changes

  • Create a docs/setup-guide.md with platform-specific Docker installation instructions:
    • Windows: WSL2 + Docker Desktop (note: WSL2 must be enabled first)
    • macOS: Docker Desktop (Intel vs Apple Silicon)
    • Linux: Docker Engine (avoid snap package, prefer apt)
  • Include a verification step: docker run hello-world
  • Link to the guide from the main README
  • Include common troubleshooting (Docker daemon not running, WSL2 not enabled, insufficient disk space)

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