Re: Display file puzzlement

[Simon Coulter <shc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

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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