<DIV>From: kirby urner <KIRBY.URNER@GMAIL.COM><BR>Date: Monday, September 25, 2006 2:33 pm<BR>Subject: Re: [Edu-sig] creating an interface vs. using one<BR>To: Michel Paul <MPAUL@BHUSD.K12.CA.US><BR>> Speaking of which, I'm giving Tara the option to join me on a <BR>> trip to<BR>> New York pretty soon. She's already got something planned <BR>> though, so<BR>> another time would also be OK (but I'm still going -- got some Fuller<BR>> School events happening (New York's a big center for us)).<BR></DIV>
<DIV>I noticed the Fuller/Noguchi exhibit closing concert at the Noguchi museum in Queens on Oct 8th.</DIV>
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<DIV>Sounds inviting.</DIV>
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<DIV>Be there?</DIV>
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<DIV>I think I go on a short trip to Shanghai on the 9th - in the pursuit of a eco-capitalism idea I am </DIV>
<DIV>trying to make real (or find out better why it is unreal). Probably too hectic to try to fit </DIV>
<DIV>this in on the 8th, otherwise I was considering it.</DIV>
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<DIV>Art </DIV>
<DIV> <BR>> > I still don't see that bundling VPython in the core install <BR>> need be<BR>> > the solution. Guido should rewrite the standard tutorial if <BR>> so. Or<BR>> > somebody should.<BR>> <BR>> Again, I think schools should come up with home grown solutions and<BR>> not rely on Python.org to do their work for them. Core Python <BR>> is well<BR>> defined and competently taught. There's no responsibility to <BR>> get into<BR>> esoteric add-on capabilities e.g. linear algebra, vector <BR>> graphics, in<BR>> the core documentation.<BR>> <BR>> PIL is one of the best and earliest role models of a self-sufficient<BR>> add-on library (self-sufficient in terms of doing all of its own work,<BR>> relying on Python.org only for core Python).<BR>> <BR>> > It's the school that should be asked, not Python.org, which <BR>> has no<BR>> > responsibility to *push* these solutions on people.<BR>> ><BR>> > We want schools to *pull* based on forces in the marketplace (i.e.<BR>> > competition). We don't want PSF to have to shovel and/or <BR>> spoon feed.<BR>> > That's not its job.<BR>> <BR>> Guido has always been appropriately modest about his area of<BR>> expertise, focusing on Python the language and the computer science<BR>> behind it. He doesn't claim credentials as a pedagogue (unlike Alan<BR>> Kay, who likes to mint DVDs showing how he's on the front lines with<BR>> the children).<BR>> <BR>> I'm less immodest than Guido, around pedagogy, because I'm a career<BR>> math teacher with textbook editing experience (McGraw-Hill, <BR>> Avenue of<BR>> the Americas), but more modest about my system level language skills.<BR>> If the Python -> C -> C# -> IronPython course opens up, I might be<BR>> among the first to sign up as a student -- but I'm wanting it as HDTV<BR>> screencasts as an option, but I don't have an HDTV. Tsk. I <BR>> think my<BR>> DVD player is compatible though, plus Kim and Jimmy have the <BR>> real deal<BR>> (Dave too, in his bizmo, but he's hardly ever around).<BR>> <BR>> > Make *schools* do the work. Python.org has already done more than<BR>> > enough. Everyone associated with Python, including Guido, <BR>> should have<BR>> > permission to retire with royalties, and not lift a finger to "save<BR>> > education".<BR>> ><BR>> > Twasn't Python Nation that sank it in the first place.<BR>> ><BR>> > Kirby<BR>> ><BR>> <BR>> Kirby<BR>> _______________________________________________<BR>> Edu-sig mailing list<BR>> Edu-sig@python.org<BR>> http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/edu-sig<BR>> </DIV>