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From: ciriello@lafcol.UUCP (Patrick Ciriello II)
Newsgroups: comp.edu,comp.lang.pascal
Subject: Re: CS-1
Summary: It could be helpful ...
Keywords: beginning computer science course
Message-ID: <1059@lafcol.UUCP>
Date: 5 May 89 18:24:29 GMT
References: <2130@iitmax.IIT.EDU> <2394@brahma.cs.hw.ac.uk>
Organization: NET Manager, Lafayette College
Lines: 24

In article <2394@brahma.cs.hw.ac.uk>, nick@cs.hw.ac.uk (Nick Taylor) writes:
> In article <2130@iitmax.IIT.EDU> thssccb@iitmax.IIT.EDU (catherine c bareiss) writes:
> >I am designing a beginning programming course.
> >
> >The structure is to be as follows:
> >       One day a week, a lecture on a topic (using psuedo code).
>                                               ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> 
> Is this a good idea? I know it is becoming more and more common to do this
> but I harbour deep suspicions that it might actually make the learning task
> more confusing. 

Well, if you write your pseude code so that it is OBVIOUSLY english (
i.e. using full sentences, etc) then I don't think the students would
become confused.  They are learning and idea without the mechanics.
On the other hand, you might want to incorporate the Reserved Words of
the language to be taught inside your 'english' ( which may have to be
fudged a little ) so that while they are learning the ideas on the
surface, they are also becoming familiar with the specific mechanics
associated with that particular language.

Pat (the Dragon that is WHITE)

Disclaimer: I have no idea what I am talking about .. press 'n' now ....