[Edu-sig] creating an interface vs. using one (Michel Paul)

[Peter Chase]

Is that ALL you have been fighting about these many months?  My 
goodness.  Well, thanks for filling me in.


kirby urner wrote:
> On 9/25/06, Peter Chase <pchase at sulross.edu> wrote:
>> I would be happy to raise a peep if I knew what the hell you and Kirby
>> were talking about.
>> Maybe someone in this group could explain it to a Bear of Very Little
>> Brain, like me.
>> In simple terms.  Without using abstractions any more than strictly
>> necessary.
>
> As I understand it, Arthur and I were arguing about how to best
> leverage the educational asset known as VPython (vpython.org), used at
> Carnegie Mellon, Saturday Academy etc., as a part of the physics
> curriculum or whatever.
>
> He advocates stuffing it in the Standard Library so anyone downloading
> core Python from python.org (which includes said library -- cite
> "batteries included" slogan) will automatically put VPython in the
> tree.
>
> I advocate focusing instead on the differences between schools willing
> to excel, by experimenting with new ideas, vs. those choosing to march
> in lockstep with the mediocres and just "get by".
>
> I think schools should manage their own distros (i.e. valve and
> control what goes on their servers and/or is available to faculty for
> classroom use).  Python.org shouldn't have to lift a finger, is it
> already plays its role perfectly, as a source of links and core
> downloads.
>
> Here on edu-sig, we provide a resource to the bolder, more
> experimental schools, in part by conspiring to show how Python might
> be used to put kids on a fast track towards high level  mathematical
> sophistication, including a better awareness of abstract algebra,
> thanks to our snake's __rib__ syntax i.e. our ability to overload
> operators with special names.
>
> Many talented teachers contribute to this effort, including Arthur
> when he's not pretending to some high level of business savvy or
> fighting his MIT teddy bear.
>
> Kirby
>
> !DSPAM:518,4517ebea120031554581014!
>
>