While it's true that I was (and still am) somewhat self-motivated when it came to computers, I'd have to say that for me, personally, it was the teachers who either through direct instruction, or through my observation and emulation of them, taught me a sort of "zen" of programming, for lack of a better word. (Watching "Fearless Freddy" debug students code was a thing of beauty to behold.)
And my interest, albeit amateur, in physics was definitely due to the patience that "Bob the Dope Fiend" had for working with me. I think the dope must have kept him mellow. ;-) (I always compare my epiphany regarding simple Newtonian motion as being akin to Hellen Keller's experience with "Water". "Bob, Bob! Oh, my God! You've been spelling Newtonian Motion into my hands for a month! I FINALLY GET IT!!! Now catch me up with the rest of the class on everything else!" I monopolized that dude's office hours.) My teachers also gave me an interest in tutoring others. The sense of pride and/or relief that students get when a teacher praises their accomplishments -- particularly after helping them overcome early difficulties with a subject matter -- is irreplaceable at any age. There were definitely "losers" as teachers too, where it almost seemed they actively worked against learning. But those are the ones that become distant memories (traumatic amnesia?) very quickly. The others burn brightly in my memory like Jedi Knights. -- Kevin Cole Sugar Labs DC Washington, DC _______________________________________________ IAEP -- It's An Education Project (not a laptop project!) [email protected] http://lists.sugarlabs.org/listinfo/iaep
