Re: Worst blog post ever on teaching programming

[Zaxo]

in reply to Problematic post on teaching programming

Successful autodidacts would any of them handle the course material just fine. They may not have got along with a teacher, but a student can always find another teacher.

One of the advantages of a good education is that it teaches you to autodiddum without believing everything you read. If it doesn't teach that, it's not a good education.

[Scott7477]

I agree with you. I tend to see teachers ideally as facilitators of learning or as mentors. Raw information can be had from books
and other sources. A teacher should provide guidance and encouragement.

The whole concept of introductory courses as "weed-out's" is repellent to me.

[jeffa]

The whole concept of introductory courses as "weed-out's" is repellent to me.

How about the concept of intermediate courses as "weed-outs?" At some point, you have to separate the ones who are serious about the subject and those who are just there because they don't know what they want to do for a career. Better to find out sooner than later. I was "weeded out" from the accounting major by the time i hit junior level and let me tell you, i am very thankful for that.

The only thing i find "repellent" about "weed-out" courses is when i am required to take one in my minor field. Other than that, a teacher can only provide so much guidance and encouragement -- they simply cannot be expected to do the work for the student.

You know what they call weed-out courses in the real world? "You're fired!"