This post is for my team, but especially for Jack. I mentioned that I would share some stuff from Christopher Dawson's ZNet bloggings. http://education.zdnet.com/?p=1866&tag=nl.e539
Chris is talking about the merits of teaching CAD versus teaching programming. If the school has resources for teaching both--he says that's a "no brainer". However, if he has a choice he's going to go with programming--and argues his points in his blog.
Jack--do you agree with him? His "Talk Back" section is "veerrryy interesting" (Sgt. Schultz--Hogan's Heros...) I'd like to see you Talk Back to Chris!!!
Diane
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2 comments:
Boy, you're really trying to get me riled up this afternoon!!! That guy should be flogged, tarred and feathered and then made to re-write the entire AutoCAD program in some far-eastern language.
This is a prime example of someone who is too far removed from the classroom making decisions without doing his research. EVERYTHING MANUFACTURED, BUILT OR PURCHASED HAS BEEN DESIGNED!! At some point in it's life cycle programming affects it. But it starts with a design.
He's wrong to let budget be the deciding factor in cutting a program that is involved in such a huge job market. Look at the industries that drive our economy - housing, construction and manufacturing are the biggest.
Both design and programming are important to teach in the high school. He either doesn't address the points or he is ignorant of them, but we shouldn't be focusing on teaching kids how to master a software. We should be teaching kids the principles behind the process.
Most schools use Autodesk products because they have the biggest market share of design software. That's why most schools teach microsoft products such as Word and excel. Does anybody use much less teach Lotus? If cost is a deciding factor, then there are plenty of "free" design programs for education,
If they were to take away my Autodesk products tomorrow, my classes would not stop. I'd still be able to teach principle and process with freeware and a pencil.
I'm glad he's not the TC for my district because we'd have to go out back and have a long talk. "And that's all I have to say about that." Forrest Gump
Jr
Jack--wow--I'm glad this created such an emotional response! Now we are really talking about nitty-gritty real-life-in-the-real-classroom stuff!
Practical/Pragmatic vs. Theoretical/IvoryTower--- I would still love to see you go head to head with Chris Dawson on this topic!
Thanks Jack! Diane
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