[Edu-sig] How do we tell truths that might hurt

[David Handy]

On Thu, 22 Apr 2004, John Zelle wrote:

> So, start with Python, keep things concrete as long as possible, use
> abstraction as it becomes necessary and useful, and let the students
> have fun. That's the road to universal computer literacy. Comments?
> 
> --John

John, I'm in 100% agreement with you. I believe passionately in teaching
for success. My goal is not to "weed out" the smart from the dumb, but to
bring people from where they started to a higher level. Experience says
you do that by starting with the concrete and then proceeding to the
abstract, not the other way around.

I like to compare learning computer programming to learning a natural
language. I myself have studied foreign languages, and have observed in 3
of our 4 children the fascinating process of learning English starting
from nothing (the youngest is just starting the process.) It is very clear 
to me that they learn the concept of Apple by eating one. Later on they 
learn the word. It has to happen in that order. The human mind has to have 
something concrete upon which to hang the abstract concepts.

For this reason, Python's interactive interpreter is a great asset for 
teaching. The physical act of typing and seeing responses in real-time 
greatly speeds up, for example, learning the behavior of lists. Learning 
the abstract concept of sequences comes very naturally once you've played 
with lists for a while.

Someone said earlier they couldn't understand the fascination of teaching
children. I don't intend to change your mind on that issue, but just want
to state that few things are more enjoyable than sharing with children
(especially your own children) something you are truly interested in and
that you think is important.

As for computer programming for everyone, it would be a better world if
the leaders in it had a clue.  Since we don't know which of the rising
generation will be the leaders of tomorrow (and since everyone matters,
"leader" or not), let's educate everyone we can.