Topic: instructions
started by: kuru
Posted by kuru on Feb. 14 2002,20:30
So. Some of you guys are aware that I am now a post-secondary instructor for technical (read: computer) majors. I have to teach them how to be nerds.If anyone can tell me a way to communicate integrated circuits and computer architecture to people who, in some cases, have never even seen a computer before.. that'd be great.
Aside from ripping apart every machine in the lab, I have tried it all. They're still looking for the 'buses'.
Everything I say seems to wash right over them. It goes in their ears and is never actually stored to disk. I've even ripped a computer apart in front of them. Nothing.
I can't wait till we get to machine code programs. Any idea how to make that a little more palatable to complete binary virgins?
Posted by ic0n0 on Feb. 14 2002,20:42
Wow that’s rough, um, tell them…… that………..i don’t know…your on your own.
Posted by Jynx on Feb. 14 2002,23:18
Use one-syllable words and cute cartoony pictures.If that doesn't work, I'm sure Wolfguard can suggest the proper ordinance.
Posted by Rshias on Feb. 15 2002,00:39
<Wolfguard> Fuck 'em. </Wolfguard>
Posted by Dark Knight Bob on Feb. 15 2002,01:55
"so who doesnt understand?""me"
BOOOM
"right who ELSE doesnt understand?....noone? good let us continue!"
Posted by fatalbert on Feb. 15 2002,01:59
you think that's hard??try teaching geriatrics how to double-click fast enough!
at least I get $20 can. an hour
Posted by veistran on Feb. 15 2002,07:42
electroshock... anyone gives aw rong answer they all get shocked...if they wait too long to answer they get shocked.
Posted by BlackFlag on Feb. 15 2002,17:30
Try humanizing the parts of the computer. Explain the processes that go on in a computer as the different chips talking to each other. Try as much as you can to put things in terms that are used in everyday life. Make analogies between a computer and the human brain; "What were we just talking about?"(ram). "What's your name, where were you born?"(HD) "what's 2+2?"(cpu) "how come you know how to breath and maintain a regular heartbeat when no one ever taught you?" (bios) "Near death experience" (format c:All data in non-removable drive C: will be deleted (Y/N) ) etc.
Posted by Dark Knight Bob on Feb. 15 2002,18:35
cancer...windows
Posted by damien_s_lucifer on Feb. 15 2002,20:44
computers and old ppl don't mix. all we can do now is wait for our generation to inherit the earth.
Posted by editor on Feb. 16 2002,02:42
Mr BlackFlag, that was some very good advice; did you make all that up or were you quoting someone? Can't think of anything to add, 'cept that Kuru can tell them there's 15 gigs of pr0n in the hd, and they gotta figure out how to find it....Agreements with Senor DSL;
how is it us older types are so stupid with tech?
Ex. My granpa lives about 6 hours north of me, and he stopped by 3 weeks ago to say hi. I was screening calls that day, get a lot of wankers, but I was home when he called from down the block...he got my machine and so didn't leave a msg. And so I missed him, 'cuz he doesn't understand answering machines....now imagine a computer?!?!?!
Posted by BlackFlag on Feb. 16 2002,06:11
came up with it myself. thanks. (ill expect royalties if you happen to make any money off of this=p )
Posted by kuru on Feb. 16 2002,16:27
I taught them about mp3s on their first day just to get them to use the internet. BTW, 'Chips talk to each other' led to the inevitable question: 'How do they talk without mouths and is it in English?'
.....urk.
Posted by BlackFlag on Feb. 16 2002,19:04
Are you fucking serious? They actually asked that shit?!?! God damn, just another arguement for euthenasia.
Posted by veistran on Feb. 17 2002,04:55
| Quote (BlackFlag @ 16 Feb. 2002,13:04) |
| Are you fucking serious? They actually asked that shit?!?! God damn, just another arguement for euthenasia. |
or at least forced sterilization ...
I'd just fail them all now and just let them browse porn for the rest of the semester.
Posted by DuSTman on Feb. 17 2002,13:03
I cannot abide the personification of computer components.They don't talk to each other. They don't "know". There isn't a part of it that's a "brain".
It may be the only way of describing it to people who arn't used to dealing with technical designs, but it's just so cutesy.
Computers arn't cutesy, they're logical.
The lecturer asked my class what sort of thing they wanted to do for coursework, they replied "not programming"... WTF, they're third year computing majors! They should (and will probably be expected to by employees) be able to to program like a motherfucker.. most of them are just soo damned lame.
Posted by Hellraiser on Feb. 17 2002,16:55
Except my computer... She's very illogical, particularly about that time of the month. 
Posted by kuru on Feb. 17 2002,17:52
There is more to computers than programming, DuSTman.Someone has to design all that hardware that you program on.