From af82a76f8767a0443a97593abb6dd601c539631e Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Medium Fries Date: Wed, 19 Dec 2018 20:31:30 -0800 Subject: [PATCH] brainstorming for new post nothing great yet --- markdown/post/inthefile.md | 58 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 58 insertions(+) create mode 100644 markdown/post/inthefile.md diff --git a/markdown/post/inthefile.md b/markdown/post/inthefile.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..953677d --- /dev/null +++ b/markdown/post/inthefile.md @@ -0,0 +1,58 @@ +# [In the file](../index.html) + +* first draft of this little writing + +## Preamble Note +Before I go into any detail at all I should mention that in fact this whole post is somewhat of a rant on a pet peeve of mine. +At the same time I want to discuss why this mostly exists as a problem I have with the """_absolute state_""" of computer science education. + +## I'm in the file what now? + +I've lost track of how many times this has been thrown my by students learning about the commandline in a \*nix environment. +It's not that I loathe this phrasing but, I completely loathe it. +Something about it feels as though many don't realize that they're not actually saying anything with this phrase. +It's like going to change your oil and saying, "_alright im in the engine_". + +For those trying to learn "the _commandline/terminal_" I have on piece of advice: a directory is a folder. +To be honest I know this stems from students being taught """_the commandline_""" with literally 0 context given. +I use a terminal for everything, hell this whole website was built in the termianl but, even I don't know what people mean when they say, "I know the commandline". +All I know is that they refer to Linux _stuff_ but even then I'm not completely sure what that is supposed to mean. + +## The part where I blame academia + +How many times has academia managed to fist its way into every crevice of the world with no complaints I'll never know, but I do know it sucks for everyone. +I say this because for learning theory academia has always been great, structuring that which needed it most. +For _everything_ outside of that realm, eh. + +It seems like at least in CSU Monterey Bay the staff have a hard-on for Unix but have little idea of how to teach it. + +### Another section for my prosed solution so its easy find + +Stop directly teaching how to use the commandline. +Instead setup students in a situation where commandline utilities would be the easiest to setup or the best choice to use. + +> B-b-but if we do that they might not do it pro- + +_Stop_, they're going to fuck things up regardless, at least this way they'll learn the dumb meme you're targeting but in a practical manner. +Trust me whatever they end up learning, they _will not_ forget. +Details sure; everyone forgets details, but at least most students(apart from the stupid ones) will know at least some basic tricks to help them later in (CS) life. + +## Pet Peeve + +Nearly everytime I help another student with command line _stuff_ I hold back cringe upon hearing the phrase, "_I'm in the file what do i do now????_". +If anyone can decipher the meaning of this phrase I would love to know but as of right now I'm stumped. +It reminds of when a mechanic friend of mine told me of how he can't stand hering customers say, "_yea the engine is on the fritz_". + +## Filesystems are vry hrd + +Recently at my university more and more of the curriculum has been focused on teaching student of the Unix command line environment. +This entails a few things: + +1. Teach students some basic utility in case they find themselves needing to do some remote work +2. Exposure to new tools(_more on this point in another section_) + +Though the prospect may be enticing its the execution which ruins the whole thing. +Primarily the problem with teaching unix to students is the lack of context. +Tools like _Git_, _Bash_, or even an editor like _Nano_ end up being confusing to students for some new arbitrary reason. +When I say that these things are confusing I mean I've literally had a student ask me, "_What's the point of Git even? I don't get why we're learning this_". +