[SWLUG] Lightning Talks

[Kris Zani]

Hi Keith

> Kris, I respect your enthusiasm, but Telsa is right: this would be a 
> huge undertaking. Part of the problem is that programming is a hybrid 
> of art and science - truly excellent code takes on a beauty of its 
> own, although other programmers may not consider it beautiful. See, 
> just like art! To teach programming well, you'd need to take on some 
> philosophy as well as the nuts and bolts of a HOWTO at a technical level.

I do understand this and sort of agree, but let me give you my opinion 
on the subject. 

You can teach many things but you cannot actually teach how to program.  
People can learn it but you cannot teach it.  All you can do is put them 
through a set of exercises or situations where they can learn in a 
structured environment with adequate supporting resources.  Its almost 
identical to problem solving, by teaching it you are in fact just 
teaching people to solve the problems you are showing them.  Does this 
make sense?

> I infer from your post that you are not a programmer (apologies if I'm 
> wrong), in which case I really don't think that, even with the best 
> will in the world, you're going to be able to teach programming 
> effectively.

OK.  Just to set the record straight, I have a degree in Computer 
Studies from the Uni of Glam.
And can program well in the following C#, VB 6 /.NET, PHP, ASP, 
adequately in Java, Python and have some experience in LISP, C, C++, 
bash and a host of less useful (to me) scripting languages like Lingo, 
VRML, SMIL, actionscript etc.

But if this is not what people want then just ignore the post.  It 
doesn't matter if the idea fails, but if people want to try it then its 
worth pursuing.

> Pick something you do know, something you are moderately (or better) 
> good at, but most of all something you have a passion for, and teach 
> that. That way everyone benefits, including you.
>
> Keith