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Interesting viewpoint. Overall, though, I disagree with your tone; particularly the importance you're implying a degree has over your ability to learn. I've fo

by ZoF 13y ago

Interesting viewpoint. Overall, though, I disagree with your tone; particularly the importance you're implying a degree has over your ability to learn. I've found that, for me personally, learning with a group of peers interested in whatever aspect of computer science I'm learning has been far more beneficial than an academic setting or formal curriculum has. That is to say, I learn faster and receive more accurate/timely feedback sitting in IRC than I do listening to lectures. I don't think college is necessary or even well suited for everyone, in fact I wish I didn't personally feel obligated to check the box myself; it's certainly one of the best places to meet people in your field though. In the end I'd say I learn fastest when I a.) Don't understand something and want to, or b.)Want to make something. In both of those cases effectively using the resources available(docs/irc/mailing-lists/google)helps enormously. That said, I think people learn in different ways so I'm hesitant to offer any concrete advice based on anecdotal experience. I'd also be hesitant to imply that people without a degree are more susceptible to Dunning-Kruger effect.(especially when some of the most incompetent people I've faced are recent graduates with a lot of confidence) Also that 'well elaborating' post is under 500 words and consequently elaborates very little.

kyberias 13y ago
OP didn't say that "degree" increases the ability to learn! He said that the process of studying in an academic setting has some benefits especially since the curriculum is often designed to give a broad coverage on many important subjects. That does not in any way imply that some could learn well on their own as you have experienced. Disclaimer: MSc in Computer Science (never really liked lectures myself, but I highly respect the process of forcing oneself to learn by completing a degree)
- ZoF 13y ago
  >"Working this way through 20-30 subjects, as what you would get in the course of a degree, is for mostly psychological reasons close to impossible" You're truly of the opinion that the parent comment, particularly the above portion, doesn't strongly imply that the process of obtaining a degree increases your ability to learn? I'm honestly curious, because that's the tone I personally perceived from the comment. >He said that the process of studying in an academic setting has some benefits especially since the curriculum is often designed to give a broad coverage on many important subjects. Totally agree with this; the diversity in curriculum, human interaction, industry connections, and most importantly the ability to interface with peers in your field are all hugely important. I think University is great for most people, but I don't think people choosing a different route should be considered prone to being underskilled and overconfident unless proven otherwise. >That does not in any way imply that some could learn well on their own as you have experienced. As I stated previously I think the fastest way to learn/improve is through interacting with peers, especially those more educated in the subject matter than myself. It's mainly for this reason that I find university extremely useful, and irc/mailing-lists/docs even more so. I wouldn't attribute my learning via the internet to myself any more(or less) than I would attribute my learning via lectures to myself. I wouldn't have even made the comment if the parent comment hadn't ended by insinuating that not obtaining a degree makes you more susceptible to Dunning-Kruger and then proceeded to call a 500-word post 'elaborate'.
  - sheepmullet 13y ago
    You're truly of the opinion that the parent comment, particularly the above portion, doesn't strongly imply that the process of obtaining a degree increases your ability to learn? I don't think that is what the parent comment is saying. There are a lot more psychological issues you need to deal with when going it alone. You can spend a lot of time and energy overcoming these issues, or you can go to college and not have to deal with them, or you can ignore them and end up with serious deficiencies. For example there are going to be areas of software development that you dislike (for me anything networking or db related) but are very important to your overall development. Will you invest the time required in the areas you dislike? If you really don't like algorithms will you spend the 300+ hours on it that you should? Quite a lot of people who study via college can and do. A rare few people going it alone can.

by ZoF 13y ago

kyberias 13y ago

OP didn't say that "degree" increases the ability to learn! He said that the process of studying in an academic setting has some benefits especially since the curriculum is often designed to give a broad coverage on many important subjects. That does not in any way imply that some could learn well on their own as you have experienced. Disclaimer: MSc in Computer Science (never really liked lectures myself, but I highly respect the process of forcing oneself to learn by completing a degree)

ZoF 13y ago
>"Working this way through 20-30 subjects, as what you would get in the course of a degree, is for mostly psychological reasons close to impossible" You're truly of the opinion that the parent comment, particularly the above portion, doesn't strongly imply that the process of obtaining a degree increases your ability to learn? I'm honestly curious, because that's the tone I personally perceived from the comment. >He said that the process of studying in an academic setting has some benefits especially since the curriculum is often designed to give a broad coverage on many important subjects. Totally agree with this; the diversity in curriculum, human interaction, industry connections, and most importantly the ability to interface with peers in your field are all hugely important. I think University is great for most people, but I don't think people choosing a different route should be considered prone to being underskilled and overconfident unless proven otherwise. >That does not in any way imply that some could learn well on their own as you have experienced. As I stated previously I think the fastest way to learn/improve is through interacting with peers, especially those more educated in the subject matter than myself. It's mainly for this reason that I find university extremely useful, and irc/mailing-lists/docs even more so. I wouldn't attribute my learning via the internet to myself any more(or less) than I would attribute my learning via lectures to myself. I wouldn't have even made the comment if the parent comment hadn't ended by insinuating that not obtaining a degree makes you more susceptible to Dunning-Kruger and then proceeded to call a 500-word post 'elaborate'.
- sheepmullet 13y ago
  You're truly of the opinion that the parent comment, particularly the above portion, doesn't strongly imply that the process of obtaining a degree increases your ability to learn? I don't think that is what the parent comment is saying. There are a lot more psychological issues you need to deal with when going it alone. You can spend a lot of time and energy overcoming these issues, or you can go to college and not have to deal with them, or you can ignore them and end up with serious deficiencies. For example there are going to be areas of software development that you dislike (for me anything networking or db related) but are very important to your overall development. Will you invest the time required in the areas you dislike? If you really don't like algorithms will you spend the 300+ hours on it that you should? Quite a lot of people who study via college can and do. A rare few people going it alone can.