Yes, 3 hours of class only, excluding the workshops on Saturday.
Why scary? By Saturday, I realized that I am in quite a bit of trouble. Prior to the workshop, I did not know what I do not know. Ignorance is bliss, at least temporarily. After the workshop, I realized there is SOOO much that I would need to know by the
I am not too sure how many people feels the same way as I do. Maybe those who are not from computing will be able to sympathize with me. As one of the “Lone Rangers” of the course, the jargon and acronyms used in the lectures were especially intimidating: API, SSH, Cloud Computing, PHP, MySQL, UNIX, PuTTy, OMG, WTH, etc. (the last 2 are not computing acronyms =p ). I made a list of these terms and made a mental note to find out the meanings of these terms in Google and how they are inter-related. However, after spending several hours, I came to the conclusion that computing jargon is explained using jargon which means that my algorithm to understand these terms will end up in an infinite loop!
But you mentioned you have a lot of time this semester didn't you?
ReplyDeleteWhile many students complain that NUS courses are too academic and not practical, I assure you that CS3216 is the reverse: it's very practical and not quite academic.
The most valuable experience afforded by CS3216 is however the opportunity to work with (and learn from) very talented and passionate students. :-)
I hope you figure out how to break out of your infinite loop soon. :-P
yup, i have much more time this semester.
ReplyDeletecs3216 is structured very differently, as compared to the other courses. I do believe there are some "brave" teachers, like you, who see the flaw in the current education system and are trying to input more practical aspects into the modules. My lecturer for es2007s, Brad Blackstone, puts it neatly "the teaching revolution is beginning".
p.s. yes, I am gradually (and painfully) breaking out of the infinite loop! :D
I do believe there are some "brave" teachers, like you, who see the flaw in the current education system and are trying to input more practical aspects into the modules.
ReplyDeleteThe line between brave and suicidal is sometimes somewhat thin. But I digress.
In any case, I agree that the current education system is flawed. Personally, I think it's already pretty good, with or without CS3216.
There is a time and place for the more academic subjects also. What CS3216 provides is more vibrancy and variety to the pool -- and it caters to a certain crowd of students who have certain types of aspirations. It's not for everyone also.
Education is a completely unscalable enterprise. This arises from the fact that no two students are the same and the optimal way to teach differs from student to student. It is in this light that we different kinds of courses to cater to different folks.
A bigger concern of mine is really the issue of students' attitudes towards learning. Many student have no idea what they are doing in school other than that everyone else is doing it and a degree seems helpful for their future livelihood.
Truly, I believe I would have made a difference if in CS3216, students manage to achieve clarity of what their lives are all about.
In fact, I have a very evil idea. All of you will get this essay question (in the form of a blog entry) that's worth 1% of you grade: WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH YOUR LIFE. Grammar and spelling doesn't matter. I want to see clarity and purpose. :-)
"A bigger concern of mine... seems helpful for their future liveliood"
ReplyDeleteThis statement is generally true, and especially true in asian cultures. As Robert T.Kiyosaki puts it, since young we were taught to "go to school, get good, grades" and (hopefully) "get a high paying job". I was blinded by this until i read Kiyosaki's books, which offered a counter discourse.
"All of you will get this essay question...worth 1% of your grade...'What are you doing with your life?' "
I would suggest having it not graded. By assigning a value to such an important issue in one's life is undermining it's importance. I think you have read all of Malcolm Gladwell's books - in one of them, he mentioned how there was an increase number of parents who were late in fetching their children from childcare when the childcare centre imposed a small fine for being late. He attributed it to the fact that parent no longer feel guilty for being late and they can afford to pay a small fee to make up for the inconvenience for the childcare centre.
P.S. I am not too sure if i expressed myself clearly but I hope i manage to get my point across.
I would suggest having it not graded.
ReplyDeleteYou have to learn not to take me too seriously. I wasn't entirely serious about grading it. Just trying to make a point lah. :-P
I think you have read all of Malcolm Gladwell's books
Nope, I haven't read ANY of his books. Lemme buy you lunch after the course is over and you can teach me something about his books? I like books. I unfortunately dun have a lot of time to read them. Having students read and teach me is a much more efficient way I've found. :-P
Prof,
ReplyDeleteYou can watch ted.com for insights and inspirations. Faster, more entertaining and you can download the videos to watch in those bo liao breaks when you are waiting for someone who's late, standing in queue, etc etc..
@Ryan,
ReplyDeleteActually, I've watched a lot of the Ted clips already. Also fanned it on FB and that gives me feeds on the latest clips. :-)