4 ms·

This is hotly debated in the natural sciences also. Big difference is that the core body of knowledge in, say, botany or ornithology, doesn't change that much o

This is hotly debated in the natural sciences also. Big difference is that the core body of knowledge in, say, botany or ornithology, doesn't change that much over time. Unlike technology, which changes all the time. "On-demand learning" is apps like iNaturalist and eBird. Folks are asking "What is this?" basically in a knowledge vacuum. It's good that people are curious. But learning the overall taxonomy over time, from combined classroom and fieldwork, makes it a much much richer experience. Not sure this translates 100% to CS concepts. But I do understand the point being made in the article. Thanks for sharing.

booleandilemma 4y ago
Unlike technology, which changes all the time. The core body of knowledge (in programming anyway) really hasn't changed all that much since the 90s, at least. Sure, the languages and frameworks have changed, and maybe I'm not typing as many semicolons as I once did, but a function is still a function and a class is still a class.
- marymkearney 4y ago
  True true. And the math underlying that, is even more enduring.
ravenstine 4y ago
I don't think this really has anything to do with the two methods being weaker or stronger than one another. I've seen plenty of the example that you give involving things like iNaturalist. These are people who just plain suck at learning on their own. Sorry, I know it's harsh, but I think that's usually the case. These are people who wouldn't be particularly successful in a classroom either, though they may do somewhat better in a classroom setting merely because it does away with the need for the student to exercise the skill of seeking the right information. I am more adept at the on-demand side of things. It's not that I can't learn in a classroom setting, but a classroom can also be smothering to me because it doesn't permit much deviating from the formula. What I'm good at is getting the basic idea of something, ditching what I don't think to be relevant, identifying what I believe may be incorrect, and using that to go on my own learning journey and developing the necessary skills. Only after I have exhausted every other feasible option will I ask someone "What is this?" One reason I hated being in a classroom is that a certain amount of question-asking is expected of you, and you'll get singled out if you're not asking enough questions; I don't ask questions because, quite honestly, most lectures are redundant to reading material and taking notes. For the preliminary learner, they need the classroom (learning on rails) because they don't have what it takes to be self-directed. They're probably not going to rigorously question the information being given to them. If they self-guide their learning, the process they'll go through will be one of frequent astonishment. What I'm trying to say is that I think this really comes down to the individual and not so much the process. Certain personality types are better suited for preliminary learning, and others are better (and happier) with on-demand learning.
- marymkearney 4y ago
  <using that to go on my own learning journey and developing the necessary skills. Only after I have exhausted every other feasible option will I ask someone "What is this?"> Yes this, thank you, this expresses much more accurately, what I was getting at. When I said "classroom" I think what I meant was really "research." It also digs out the core of my concern, which is I guess the laziness fostered by these apps. They don't encourage the "learning journey" much. And that is so much richer and more interesting, than a jumble of disconnected names.

booleandilemma 4y ago

Unlike technology, which changes all the time. The core body of knowledge (in programming anyway) really hasn't changed all that much since the 90s, at least. Sure, the languages and frameworks have changed, and maybe I'm not typing as many semicolons as I once did, but a function is still a function and a class is still a class.

marymkearney 4y ago
True true. And the math underlying that, is even more enduring.

ravenstine 4y ago

I don't think this really has anything to do with the two methods being weaker or stronger than one another. I've seen plenty of the example that you give involving things like iNaturalist. These are people who just plain suck at learning on their own. Sorry, I know it's harsh, but I think that's usually the case. These are people who wouldn't be particularly successful in a classroom either, though they may do somewhat better in a classroom setting merely because it does away with the need for the student to exercise the skill of seeking the right information. I am more adept at the on-demand side of things. It's not that I can't learn in a classroom setting, but a classroom can also be smothering to me because it doesn't permit much deviating from the formula. What I'm good at is getting the basic idea of something, ditching what I don't think to be relevant, identifying what I believe may be incorrect, and using that to go on my own learning journey and developing the necessary skills. Only after I have exhausted every other feasible option will I ask someone "What is this?" One reason I hated being in a classroom is that a certain amount of question-asking is expected of you, and you'll get singled out if you're not asking enough questions; I don't ask questions because, quite honestly, most lectures are redundant to reading material and taking notes. For the preliminary learner, they need the classroom (learning on rails) because they don't have what it takes to be self-directed. They're probably not going to rigorously question the information being given to them. If they self-guide their learning, the process they'll go through will be one of frequent astonishment. What I'm trying to say is that I think this really comes down to the individual and not so much the process. Certain personality types are better suited for preliminary learning, and others are better (and happier) with on-demand learning.

marymkearney 4y ago
<using that to go on my own learning journey and developing the necessary skills. Only after I have exhausted every other feasible option will I ask someone "What is this?"> Yes this, thank you, this expresses much more accurately, what I was getting at. When I said "classroom" I think what I meant was really "research." It also digs out the core of my concern, which is I guess the laziness fostered by these apps. They don't encourage the "learning journey" much. And that is so much richer and more interesting, than a jumble of disconnected names.