@Miloš – yeah, it’s not my style. Besides, I don’t believe it would actually work for the class I’m teaching. You can’t use a gauntlet approach in Gen-Ed classes.

As for Web 2.0 stuff.. Well, that’s an elective – maybe two. You teach them the basics behind javascript asynchronous calls, arm them with a javascript framework (like JQuery or Prototype) and they are good to go. I’m not sure if web development class will attract the right kind of people though – will these people stick around to learn about data structures, algorithms?

But you are right – better faculty is the key.

You started your post kind of hard and I was shaking my head in disagreement as I was reading it, but by the end you ended up clarifying that the gauntlet is not your way of teaching which is good to know. :)

For one, we* need to focus on more attractive development…stuff that is out there now and is attractive to people (users and developers)…the web 2.0 stuff. Yes it’s flashy and often faulty, but it will attract more students.

Also, many institutions of higher ed need better faculty…not everyone knows how to teach or attract students towards their particular field of expertise. Just because you are good at it it doesn’t automatically mean that you know how to teach others.

Lastly, we* need to find a way to publicize students’ achievements…have some kind of research lab, “help a student” lab where CS majors can show off in a sense and help others understand different parts of technology including development…we need to demystify the notion that all CS people are dorks sitting in dungeons coding their eyes out.

* Term “we” does not pertain to any particular university ;) , but rather us as CS folks in general.

Had a few ‘how do you know all this stuff?’ comments in my life. The response is simply ‘if you’re interested in something, you will learn it. you can’t help but become better at it’. If you’re not interested, find something else to do.

I don’t think I’d have a problem teaching a class like that. Once you fail a few students it gets easy, like killing people.

Also, I believe that if you make CS a challenging major, you may actually attract more people to it, at least, more decent students who wouldn’t be interested in a cost class.

LOL.. I like the Burger King response.

[quote post=”2354″]I don’t think I ever said “I hate computers” though[/quote]

I’m in the same boat, I’d likely be struck by lightning if I uttered those words. Sacrilege!

@Nathan – true. I think that I have many times said that I hate windows or this or that piece of software. I also said “I hate this project” and also “I hate this language” when coding something in VB.

I don’t think I ever said “I hate computers” though – because, truthfully computers never really did anything wrong to me. Every time a computer fails, it is because of a human error – either on my part, or on part of the software/hardware maker. To me it’s kinda like saying “I hate electricity” when your power goes down, or “I hate cell phones” when your call gets dropped. They are just tools.

Also, when I’m experiencing major issues I usually pet my computer and talk gently to it trying to calm down the mysterious machine spirits that dwell within. ;) Saying that I hate it, or hitting it would only enrage these ephemeral beings even further. ;)

Well, it depends.

[quote post=”2354″]1. I never do anything IT / programming related, outside of work[/quote]

Is excusable if you would like to do it, but simply don’t have time for it. For example if you are a busy parent, you volunteer somewhere, or perhaps you pursue artistic or literary career on the side, or if WoW is your ‘other’ job I guess I wouldn’t hold it against you.

[quote post=”2354″]2. I hate frameworks / abstractions[/quote]

Some frameworks can be hated and some abstractions are silly. It’s excusable in some circumstances.

[quote post=”2354″]3. I hate computers[/quote]

Why are you working here then? I will talk to HR and see if we can transfer you to a much less technical janitorial position where you won’t have to deal with these hateful machines.

[quote post=”2354″]4. Keep it simple, I don’t want to learn anything new[/quote]

Oh my. I think you accidentally applied for the wrong job. Here’s an application to Burger King. I guarantee that after you figure out how to flip burgers you won’t have to learn anything new ever again.

[quote post=”2354″]5. I hate programming[/quote]

Well, if your job title has the word programmer or developer in it then you are clearly in the wrong line of work. I think you should think about transferring to the marketing department. :P

I agree with most of that, but I will say that I said “I hate computers” at least once per semester, and I like to think that I was one of the ones who “got it”. When you’ve been up all night hacking on a project that’s due the next morning and code that used to work perfectly “mysteriously” starts segfaulting, sometimes you say things you don’t really mean :)

[quote post=”2354″]there should be a zero tolerance policy for students who say one of the following lines:

1. I hate computers
2. I hate programming
3. I hate [language you are teaching][/quote]

In the work place, should there be tolerance for developers who regularly state any of the following:

1. I never do anything IT / programming related, outside of work
2. I hate frameworks / abstractions
3. I hate computers
4. Keep it simple, I don’t want to learn anything new
5. I hate programming

:)