-----------------<snip>-------------------------
-----Original Message-----
From: IBM Mainframe Discussion List
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Larry Dinwiddie
Sent: Tuesday, January 08, 2008 11:00 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: OT: Computer Science Education: Where Are the
Software Engineers of Tomor...
------------------------<snip>---------------------
A point that should be obvious if anyone has ever confronted
a checkout
clerk during a power failure.
-----------------<unsnip>----------------------
I like to see them squirm - if my bill is, say $17.18, hand them a $20
bill.
After they ring up the change, reach in your pocket and give them 3
pennies.
Then sit back and wait - most are so confused.......
What ever happen to counting change back to the customer..... I use to
back in - well a long time ago --- when I worked at Sears.
--------------------------<unsnip>----------------------------
My tutoring program is simple. At session # 1, all calculators are
forbidden. They get a box of pencils and a ream of paper. Period. When
they finally figure that out (learn basic arithmetic, like addition,
subtraction, multiplication and division), then they are taught to us a
abacus. (I don't require long division here), then a slide rule (the
real thing!). Only when they've mastered these three very basic tools
will I permit them to use a calculator. At random intervals, I will
require one of them to prove their results with pencil, paper and a book
of tables. I had one father call me and call me every name you can think
of. When I suggested he ask his son to count out change for a $13.95
purchase from a $20.00 bill, he called me back and apologized. Junior
couldn't do it and Daddy was a Electrical Engineer. I would have paid
SERIOUS MONEY just to be a fly on the wall in that house when Daddy hung
up the phone.
Based on experiences like that, I rest my case.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions,
send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO
Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
