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You need both. It's unfortunate that we separate out the two. It wasn't until the second semester of my third year of my accounting degree that we actually had
by c3534l 7y ago
You need both. It's unfortunate that we separate out the two. It wasn't until the second semester of my third year of my accounting degree that we actually had a project where we would get fake checks we had to enter into the books, fill out, and put in a folder called "mailed." This should have been day 1 and we should have learned what it was we were doing as we were doing it. And this should have prepared us for some sort of internship.
On the other hand, I've met coders who somehow have managed to completely miss very basic CS concepts because they learned the entire thing ad hoc as they needed it and they never realized that they needed Big O, or that they needed to learn how modulo works.
For me, I flunked out of math my entire life until I learned coding and was able to find the answers to "what is this used for?" so I could put it into context. Book learning is good, but it's easier (at least for me) if you have a scaffolding of experience to know where to put each new thing you're learning.
Never neglect either!
- ImaCake 7y ago>For me, I flunked out of math my entire life until I learned coding and was able to find the answers to "what is this used for?" so I could put it into context. When all I used math for was wetlab biology work I found it tedious and annoying. Teaching myself how to code (for data analysis) made me go from disliking maths to loving it. It is easy to see how powerful and beautiful math is now.
- cercatrova 7y agoThis feels like me with category theory and types. Once I learned an ML (OCaml) I understood the power of types and higher level abstractions. I think people also confuse mathematics with arithmetic. I dislike the latter (much better automated than manually done) and love the former.
- nicoburns 7y agoAgreed. A half-and-half course that was half degree, half practical would be pretty ideal. Some of these do exist, but they tend to be small experimental courses that not many people take. I would: I don't think studying for 3 years upfront makes sense for most people. It would be better to spread learning out more.
- semerda 7y agoDitto. Learning theory without real-life application makes it boring and people forget. Learning application without theory leads to hacks. Often the real-life application happens in the last year when it's too late for some. Maybe the interim assignments should be more real-life examples so students could see application of and be inspired to learn deeper.