I definitely agree that puzzles/challenges for their own sake are pretty pointlesss. However, I also think (guided) puzzles/challenges are really good for learn

I definitely agree that puzzles/challenges for their own sake are pretty pointlesss. However, I also think (guided) puzzles/challenges are really good for learning new tools/languages. It can be hard to just sit down in front of a real world type problem with even just one new tool and know what to do with it. The best approach is probably somewhere in the middle. Best example I've seen of this are the "workshopper" lessons on NodeSchool.