Re: Display file puzzlement

On 19/04/2008, at 6:10 PM, Vernon Hamberg wrote:

So true about how we learn - was just talking to a friend about my
first programming instructor at the tech institute - made the point
that no one would be standing over my shoulder to tell me what to do.
Had better learn to hit the manuals and be able to find answers
myself. Then he pointed at that 4-foot wide metal rack of System/38 manuals.

I try to instil that attitude in my programming students. When they have difficulty with a Lab exercise I never give them the answer. I always talk them through an analysis of the problem. My intention is that they learn the sorts of questions I ask them about their code and use that approach to resolve future problems. But sometimes it's like drawing teeth--I once had a student who could not grasp if-then- else constructs, 10 minutes class time plus 1/2 hour after class and he still didn't get it. Was OK with if BLACK is WHITE stuff but as soon as variables entered the equation (if colour is black) his brain melted. Quite funny in a sadistic way--you could see the meltdown occurring in his facial features. Simply not cut out to be a programmer--better stay as an operator (which is what his job was).

Regards,
Simon Coulter.
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