4 ms·

To start with, shouldn't universities just not teach programming? I'm taking a graduate class on artificial intelligence which involves coming up with a novel p

To start with, shouldn't universities just not teach programming? I'm taking a graduate class on artificial intelligence which involves coming up with a novel project and implementing it, but we have free reign to choose what tech stack we want. It's just assumed that everyone can handle picking up a new programming language if they have to, despite people in completely different backgrounds being in the course (such as my neighbor, who majored in physics) You don't need class time to learn how to follow codecademy tutorials or to learn how to Google. You need class time to learn a bunch of theory and algorithms and higher level topics. Pointing out syntax errors is a waste of a TA's time. We don't have addition or algebra as part of the core curriculum at univeristies, so why is basic computer competency like writing the most basic of programs or using CLIs, a part of the curriculum at a lot of schools?

crooked-v 5y ago
To start with, universities need to decide if they're teaching computer science or computer programming. Currently a bachelor's in the former is actually mostly the latter.
- therealdrag0 5y ago
  Where did you get this impression?
  - crooked-v 5y ago
    From my own degree.
- denton-scratch 5y ago
  I don't think "computer programming" is an appropriate subject for a batchelor's degree. That's called a "training course".
nesarkvechnep 5y ago
Universities shouldn't teach programming in X language, producing monoglots.
devwastaken 5y ago
College algebra? Programming is very difficult to learn in a short period of time if you've never worked in it. Translating other concepts to how they work in the software world requires time and work. From what I've seen intro to programming classes are much harder than they ought to be and fail to translate the math concepts we all already know into the programming world. Writing programs isn't basic computer competency. Using CLI's, more advanced computer competency, but not at the level of writing software. Students struggle to resolve off by 1 errors in array index's vs length. Objects, instances and inheritance aren't even on their radar yet.
tehjoker 5y ago
There should be at least some time spent on the basics to ensure that the degree is accessible to everyone otherwise you'll only get people that had early learning or put in lots of extra effort able to do it.
denton-scratch 5y ago
Not sure why you were downvoted - I don't think a student that needs to be hand-held through learning a specific programming language should be on a university course. Perhaps the answer is that many low to middle-grade universities are prepared to enroll students that are not really university-standard candidates. As a consequence, the school has to provide hand-held training in the specific language the course depends on, because the student hasn't been taught how to study. You may not know how to study independently at the beginning of a university course; but if you haven't learned by the end, then you shouldn't get to graduate.

crooked-v 5y ago

To start with, universities need to decide if they're teaching computer science or computer programming. Currently a bachelor's in the former is actually mostly the latter.

therealdrag0 5y ago
Where did you get this impression?
- crooked-v 5y ago
  From my own degree.
denton-scratch 5y ago
I don't think "computer programming" is an appropriate subject for a batchelor's degree. That's called a "training course".

nesarkvechnep 5y ago

Universities shouldn't teach programming in X language, producing monoglots.

devwastaken 5y ago

College algebra? Programming is very difficult to learn in a short period of time if you've never worked in it. Translating other concepts to how they work in the software world requires time and work. From what I've seen intro to programming classes are much harder than they ought to be and fail to translate the math concepts we all already know into the programming world. Writing programs isn't basic computer competency. Using CLI's, more advanced computer competency, but not at the level of writing software. Students struggle to resolve off by 1 errors in array index's vs length. Objects, instances and inheritance aren't even on their radar yet.

tehjoker 5y ago

There should be at least some time spent on the basics to ensure that the degree is accessible to everyone otherwise you'll only get people that had early learning or put in lots of extra effort able to do it.

denton-scratch 5y ago

Not sure why you were downvoted - I don't think a student that needs to be hand-held through learning a specific programming language should be on a university course. Perhaps the answer is that many low to middle-grade universities are prepared to enroll students that are not really university-standard candidates. As a consequence, the school has to provide hand-held training in the specific language the course depends on, because the student hasn't been taught how to study. You may not know how to study independently at the beginning of a university course; but if you haven't learned by the end, then you shouldn't get to graduate.