[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>So here are the questions:
>
>What ** transferable skills ** do you think a student just entering
>university should have in the area of computer science or use of the
>computer?
Math. Algebra and trigonometry. I'm not kidding. I've seen otherwise promising
students held back or even kicked out of CS courses because they couldn't hack the
basic math courses. I'm sure Doc Mana will agree with me on this one.
Oh, and if the students are planning to apply for Ateneo and maybe DLSU, have them
take up review English classes as these make up a sizable portion of the exams and
core curriculum.
>If you were preparing students to enter your university - not
>just computer science students but liberal arts or whatever - how would
>you prepare them in this area?
>
>If you interact with first-year students,
>what in general do you see in their backgrounds that is good or bad in
>this area? What do you wish they had more of? Less?
More of a hard science background. Math, physics, chemistry, even biology. Hard
science is always good training in analytical thinking. An introduction to calculus
course is practically required.
You can model your curricula around that used by the science high schools. DON'T dumb
it down for the kids, rather bring them up to a higher level. However, the advantage
provided by science high school curriculums only lasts for the freshman year. By the
sophomore year, regular high school students that have survived have usually caught up
to their science high counterparts.
>Since the school is interested in using Linux, in what areas do you
>think Linux shines for teaching at this level? My gut-level feeling is
>that Linux makes accessable much of what Microsoft has tried to "protect"
>the user from (or the computer from the user). So teaching elementary OS
>and networking concepts may make better sense with Linux. Comments?
A firm base in computing fundamentals and theory should come before (or parallel with)
OS/networking. Unless you want to generate a batch of computer repair technicians.
>Finally, if you're asking yourself, why the heck the school doesn't go out
>and hire someone who knows the answers to these questions, then we agree.
The ideal persons to ask would be college teachers, in particular the ones that make
or break the freshmen. Good luck.
JR
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