[Edu-sig] a non-rhetorical question

[Vern Ceder]

To capitalize on the reference to the Head First series, let me add my 
own somewhat self-serving plug.

Right now I'm laboring away on storyboards for Head First Programming 
with Python, which is intended for first time programmers, people who've 
MAYBE looked at HTML, but nothing more. Somewhat the same space as 
Zelle's book, but from the Head First perspective. (Should be out in 
about a year, give or take, all support appreciated, etc...)

In going through the whole Head First process - initial interview, 
audition, proposal, production - I've never met a group of people quite 
so obsessed with the details of how people learn stuff. That's saying 
something, since I've spent 20 years in schools filled with great teachers.

So if you find yourself looking for new approaches to your material, I 
would also really recommend taking some time to look at Head First 
Design Patterns and Head First HTML and CSS (or any of the series) to 
see how they work through some very tricky concepts with graphics and 
humor.

Cheers,
Vern

kirby urner wrote:
> On 7/7/07, Jeff Rush <jeff at taupro.com> wrote:
> 
>> Taken for what its worth as an outsider to the educational system, I've never
>> seen much focus on teaching people "*how* to learn" an arbitrary topic.  It so
>> often seems to be trickery (not in a malicious sense) and indirection, to
>> reach that ah-ha moment.
> 
> This is what I like about the O'Reilly 'Head First' series, which pays a lot of
> conscious attention to "metacognition".
> 
> http://safari.oreilly.com/0596008678/hfobjects-preface-2-sect-4?imagepage=xxv
> 
> Some of the pedagogical principles (spelled out in each book):
> 
> Make it visual (words within or near graphics)
> Conversational and personalized style (what math books often avoid -- too proud)
> Keep it weird (unusual, surprising)
> 
> Related:
> 
> http://worldgame.blogspot.com/2005/01/brainstorming-about-pedagogy.html
> http://mail.python.org/pipermail/edu-sig/2003-October/003204.html
> http://mail.python.org/pipermail/edu-sig/2007-February/007740.html
> http://www.mail-archive.com/edu-sig@python.org/msg03821.html
> 
> 
> Kirby
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-- 
This time for sure!
    -Bullwinkle J. Moose
-----------------------------
Vern Ceder, Director of Technology
Canterbury School, 3210 Smith Road, Ft Wayne, IN 46804
vceder at canterburyschool.org; 260-436-0746; FAX: 260-436-5137