Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!uwm.edu!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!samsung!usc!snorkelwacker!bloom-beacon!TAFS.MITRE.ORG!dstalder From: dstalder@TAFS.MITRE.ORG ("Stalder D S") Newsgroups: comp.software-eng Subject: Theory vs. Practice in CS Education Message-ID: <8911091442.AA04446@gateway.mitre.org> Date: 9 Nov 89 12:36:00 GMT Sender: daemon@bloom-beacon.MIT.EDU Organization: The MITRE Corp., Washington, D.C. Lines: 28 I used to be in a CS program. I already knew ``trade-school'' type knowledge; I had been in the work force for 3 years then. I wanted a degree to learn some of the theory and to get a degree. I went to classes and all I was taught was a tiny bit of theory and how to write my own sort programs and the like. I got disgusted and am know about to graduate with a Psych/Human Factors in CHI. They only taught me how to write programs, I could pick up a good book at B. Daltons for that. I was interested in theory. With that knowledge, here is my opinion: I think that education should be 75% theory and 25% practical knowledge. Someone can get an associates and work for two years and have more practical knowledge than a BS does. You can get practical knowledge at work. What you can't get in the work force is theory. That is what college is for is to teach you knowledge more esoteric than that you find out in the ``real-world.'' A student should know how to program in at least one language and should know their way around in 1-2 operating systems. More importantly though, they should be taught theoretical knowledge that they can apply to whatever language they might be using. (I don't know why but I keep wanted to spell knowledge without the `d'.) -- Torin/Darren Stalder/Wolf Blessed Internet: dstalder@mdf.mitre.org Be! Bitnet: dstalder@gmuvax ATTnet: 1-703-883-5747 Hail uucp: multiverse!uunet!pyrdc!gmu90x!dstalder Eris! Snail: 1350 Beverly Rd.,Suite 115-223/McLean, VA 22101/USA DISCLAIMER: I have enough problems getting credit what I do do for work, much less this stuff.