Update on course
I already spoke twice about Coursera dot org, a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course). I’ve been enrolled since February 5th. The course is Programming for everybody (Python). The course ends with the final exam on April 28th.
I’ve been reading the discussion forums for that course and yesterday I came across a few that thought the course was not taught right, based on their difficulty to understand.
The complaint comes mainly from a ‘professional’, a ‘university level teacher with docotorate’, just to name a few that identified themselves. They raised an interesting issue. Since programming questions have a definite solution, you either get the points or you get nothing; they want to get some points for getting some of it right. This makes no sense to me; if you’re not right, you must be wrong, there is no in-between in a world of ‘ones’ and ‘zeroes’.
Another complaint was that it takes more time than the 2 to 4 hours a week to study, that the course advertised.
Anyway, I printed my view on the subject in the forum. It is also my view on anyone trying to learn something new.
It’s important to read the whole chapter in the book. I read and do the examples as I read, using Python, Notepad++ and cmd in Windows. If I don’t get it right, it’s an error on my part, like using curved brackets instead of square brackets or vice versa, indentation, not saving the program, etc. I do read the error messages and I can see where I made mistakes.
Then I try the exercises for the week, and if I can’t get it, I’ll go on Google, codecademy, and then I watch the video. And it helps a lot when I do the quizzes.
I do spend a lot of time on this course. Mainly writing things down. I’ve studied before and sometimes it seems that you’re not getting ahead, but once in a while you can put pieces of the puzzle together. You just need patience.
The effort required is different for everyone. Some will get it very fast. Most will require much more time. Everyone should know what is their capacity to learn; if you struggle with everything that you learn, it probably won’t be any different with this course.
Lastly, it depends on what a person wants: do you want to learn something, or do you just want to have something to put on your resume? I want to learn something, so I put in the time, regardless of what is advertised.
Good thinking and good attitude David !
I personally haven’t got the discipline to learn on line I need to attend classes and interact live to get somewhere .
Although it all depends what the subject is , I think a bit of both ,on line and classroom would do much better for me .
Thank you nmod.
Although there is no physical classroom, the discussion forum is interesting in that there are questions coming from anyone taking the course, and the answers are also supplied by other students and teacher assistants. The average response to any question is about 22 minutes.
I like the classroom concept but if you’re above the average of the class, it can get boring; and if you’re below the average of the class, it can be stressful as you’re struggling to just keep your head above water.
I didn’t mind it in school but now I seem to value my time a little bit more. I study when I’m good and ready. If I have difficulty I can pause everything, take a break, do some more research, then come back without stressing myself.
Out of what I know David studying programming in an I-net course seems very difficult to me. Better and more intensive as also time saving would be learning in a class room with the teacher in front who explains every step and anwers any question that comes up.
I met a person recently who tried to learn basic programming as a distance student and he gave up after a short time.
Thank you vonMichael.
I am now taking programming. But there are more courses available.
The teacher is giving a lecture via video. He explains everything with a few examples. If I don’t understand, I can always rewind.
Not everyone is cut out for this I suppose. My purpose for studying is to eventually be able to do some programming in our plant.
Good idea of your David. Even if you learn some basics that will help you CSS e.g. if needed.
Good luck and be patient with the stuff you have to understand cos it’s not easy.
David RV, not only are you learning something that challenges you David, well done for that attempt, it also assists with increasing the brain capacity to fire of signals to the Dendrones, which can only help with aging brain health…..
As we age it does become harder to retain information , but the challenge is good, in many ways , and increrases one’s self esteem if we get things correct.. this is an added bonus……
Well done for attempting to achieve something that you chose to take on ,.. I wish you all the best in achieving your goals …..
Thank you lani.
I am naturally curious, and I have been learning something, anything, ever since I can remember.
One difference between a youngster and myself is that a youngster might say, why do I need to know that stuff, and that with me, I can visualize some utility for it because of my experience in the work I do.
Pros and cons. If the subject is something you enjoy, then you will learn and pass. If the subject is something you are not interested in, but have to do, it will become stressful and much more difficult to do on-line.
I admire what you are doing David, and would encourage anyone to learn.
BUT, where will rail track is this going on?
When I was a kid, we went to school, played games, chatted, laughed and caused mischief!!
Today, kids sit in a coffee shop and TEXT. They dont even talk to each other. They are loosing the skill of communication.
I can see in the future, that all schools will be closed and all kids will learn (if they want to) from online.
I find it very sad, and frightening.
Thank you pollypie.
All the courses that I have taken were interesting to me. Some courses I could take anytime and had no time limit. It was a chore sometimes to complete those. This one is time stamped, with a lot of students. The discussion forums are a great place to interact, much like blogs are on this site.
Davidr, This is a great blog, and I appreciate your sharing this cite. I will check the site out. Here in the USA, most universites allow seniors to audit courses for free. Some of us need to get out and be in front of a teacher. Whatever way you learn, we all need to be learning and like you David, and we need a goal and a purpose for what we are learning. But online would be good in winter, when the weather is bad.
I may run over and take a course on doing setting up a web site. I would love to be able to do that.
And also, see above. I am not planning on taking up knitting. So, we all need to plan for the next years.
Thank you roseinbloom.
I agree, we do need goals, and especially a purpose.
The closest university is 2 hours away and I don’t know if they offer courses I would like. Taking the courses online, I can do it when it suits me.