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I find this to be incredibly short-sighted. Educational tech pundits are so quick to judge new ways of learning based on the content they have right now. I'm i

by kamens 15y ago

I find this to be incredibly short-sighted. Educational tech pundits are so quick to judge new ways of learning based on the content they have right now. I'm incredibly excited by things like Codecademy (and obviously Khan Academy) because what we're seeing is the very beginning. From the article: "If you were to sit me down in front of a blank IDE and ask me to build something, I wouldn’t have any clue how to begin. (And the fact that I know what an IDE is probably sets me apart from a lot of novice would-be programmers.) I can set a variable..." Go find either A) a bunch of college freshman who just took their first couple programming classes or B) a bunch of self-learners who just read their first chapters of a programming book, and I bet you'll find similar feelings. I don't know if it'll be Codecademy or any other product that exists right now, but I do know that a tool that helps anyone learn how to program is something that's worth the chase. Let 'em get started.

viscanti 15y ago
I guess I don't understand the Author's sense of entitlement here. Someone took time to build a tool to help her learn to code, and she found it difficult. Different people learn in different ways. For some (many?), making it fun and adding badges is a way to keep the motivation going when things are confusing. I don't think the Codeacademy guys are trying to build the perfect tool for everyone, they're trying to build something that works really well for some people.
- vasco 15y ago
  What sense of entitlement? She's only expressing that she would like to be easier and clearer. Are these not valid wishes? I did not interpret her text like you at all... Oh well
  - willpower101 15y ago
    I think she's expressing her desire for it to be even more in depth. Not necessarily easier and clearer. Founder said it's coming though :)
- todsul 15y ago
  This "business" launched, it made a claim, and it failed to deliver. Simple. Who cares if it's a startup or well established business. A customer arrived at the business based on the claim, they had a poor experience, and now they expressing a need for improvement. Is that still allowed these days? It's good to hear Zach's commitment to advancement, and we're all looking forward to it, but the Author is spot on.

by kamens 15y ago

viscanti 15y ago

I guess I don't understand the Author's sense of entitlement here. Someone took time to build a tool to help her learn to code, and she found it difficult. Different people learn in different ways. For some (many?), making it fun and adding badges is a way to keep the motivation going when things are confusing. I don't think the Codeacademy guys are trying to build the perfect tool for everyone, they're trying to build something that works really well for some people.

vasco 15y ago
What sense of entitlement? She's only expressing that she would like to be easier and clearer. Are these not valid wishes? I did not interpret her text like you at all... Oh well
- willpower101 15y ago
  I think she's expressing her desire for it to be even more in depth. Not necessarily easier and clearer. Founder said it's coming though :)
todsul 15y ago
This "business" launched, it made a claim, and it failed to deliver. Simple. Who cares if it's a startup or well established business. A customer arrived at the business based on the claim, they had a poor experience, and now they expressing a need for improvement. Is that still allowed these days? It's good to hear Zach's commitment to advancement, and we're all looking forward to it, but the Author is spot on.