On Sat, 2011-08-13 at 11:39 +0530, Parag Shah wrote: > > > > This is great. I think spreading Python amongst students is a great goal. > > > > > > > I too agree - spreading Python among students is a very good goal. > > I have frequently taught Java to students, and I have always felt that there > are way too many things that need to be done in Java, to write simple > programs. This takes the focus away from programming - to learning all the > incidental things that need to be done (even to write basic programs). > > A typical 10 week semester, falls way short of doing any serious > programming. > > The basic concepts of Python can be grasped very soon, and we can then focus > on how to use programs to solve problems, good programming practices, etc. >
I think focus should on faculties as well. I'm a visiting faculty to Sinhagad & Bharti Vidyapeeth for Linux. Last year, i conducted 3 day session on Basic Linux for "Train the faculties" program organised by SIMCA (Sinhagad institute of management & computer applications.) The program was that colleges all over Maharashtra will nominate 2-3 faculties for this program. The faculties were given subject choices for the sessions, and surprisingly Linux was one of the most opted choices. I was amazed to see that there were approx 50 engineering college faculties in my session, some of whom have travelled for 6 hrs just to reach the venue. Their motivation was that they were curious to know more about Linux but didn't knew where to start. Once i introduced them to the world of Open source technologies (python, perl, ruby, php),Linux, ideologies, and motivation behind it, they were hooked, surprised & amazed. Everyone became confident & promised that they'll spread the message & ideals of Open source technolgies amoung their students. Faculties are the one, who are with the student's all year round. So if they are knowledgable, motivated & aware of these things, then certainly that knowledge will be passed on to the students as well. And that's, what i think will make all the difference & impact needed. Regards, Arun Tomar CEO, Solution Enterprises www.solutionenterprises.co.in _______________________________________ Pune GNU/Linux Users Group Mailing List