MESSAGE
| DATE | 2003-07-21 |
| FROM | From: "Steve Milo"
|
| SUBJECT | Subject: [hangout] School technology.
|
The statement that persuading/suggesting perl as an alternative to the
Board of Ed's request for a php cirruculum was called non-sensical that
statement wasnt addressed directly. I dont understand why such an idea
is called non-sensical.
So far basically what I have read is that teaching a superior technology
as an alternative is not a good idea because its not something
different.
Ron's argument about a jack of all trades tool is hyporcitical on the
basis that the students dont know either technology at this point in
time. So this doesnt boil down to teaching a jack of all trades tool,
this boils down to teaching a superior technology as a bonus the syntax
is similar to a few other programming language, including php.
The argument of 'keeping ones mind open' is a bit weak here because
apparently there is a subtle binary attitude of some people who are
insinuating that php should be taught because php is newest buzzword
compliant 'application'. Let me clear the air about something here for
a moment. First off we arent planning on teaching anyone any
applications. We want to teach a technology that will prove beneficial
to the student in a functional and lateral way.
When I was in high school in the late 80's/early 90's I was forced to
take Lotus123. That proved to be the biggest waste of time and I new it
back then. I have no doubt in my mind that cirruculum was accepted by
someone who had no sense of the IT industry. Just because Lotus123 was
the newest thing it was deemed a good subject to teach in a high school.
In contrast what proved to be extremely beneficial to me in junior high
school was typing. Yes typing, I was taught typing on a 1940's
typewriter in the mid 80's. This was beneficial to me because I can
rapidly transfer my thoughts accurately to this technology.
To summerize Lotus123 was the newest buzzword compliant application of
its time. I was forced to learn it and it turned out to be the biggest
waste of time. I know it today and I knew it back then.
Typing, was a tried and true technology which has been around for nearly
a century and has proved useful nearly 15 years later for me personally.
There are probably numerous counter arguments to my analogy but the fact
of the matter is that the tried and true technology works in the long
run more often than bleeding edge. We arent here to teach student to
put up a website. Any child can learn to to do that in his or her spare
time.
Dont underestimate the intelligence of your average student.
Steve
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