Re:On the Usability of Codecademy
by ramblerman on Tuesday January 17, 2012 @03:19AM
(#3474191)
I agree with the overestimation of what the layperson understands.
The idea of adding buckets of complexity by beginning with questions like "what is a REPL", "how does the code turn into action?", "how is my message getting to this site?" kind of takes all the fun and exploration out of the experience.
As a programmer I dislike magic, I have to know what's happening under the hood. But had I kept asking why, I'd be studying electronics and electricity at the moment.
The trust in the existing infrastructure has to begin somewhere, and I think the quick feedback from a REPL is a great learning tool. It whets the appetite, and students can then expand their circle of knowledge over time.
Imagine if you had to understand E=mc^2 before being allowed to appreciate the night sky ;)
The idea of adding buckets of complexity by beginning with questions like "what is a REPL", "how does the code turn into action?", "how is my message getting to this site?" kind of takes all the fun and exploration out of the experience.
As a programmer I dislike magic, I have to know what's happening under the hood. But had I kept asking why, I'd be studying electronics and electricity at the moment.
The trust in the existing infrastructure has to begin somewhere, and I think the quick feedback from a REPL is a great learning tool. It whets the appetite, and students can then expand their circle of knowledge over time.
Imagine if you had to understand E=mc^2 before being allowed to appreciate the night sky ;)