A student, with programming and internet design experience is enrolled in an HTML, Javascript, CSS advanced course for a Masters in Technology.
The course’s book and assignments request the use of JavaScript code. The professor recommends Microsoft’s Visual Studio to create HTML and execute JavaScript code. There are no listed pre-requisites and Microsoft’s product is free software.
Experienced Internet Developers know that a server is required to fully test functionality and that once programming methods are learned and commonly used, it is difficult to adapt to new systems or to change; at least not without Change Management, a Risk, and Cost Estimate.
Discussions and ‘feelings’ or opinions are shared, as well as “warnings” against doing things a certain way with JavaScript. Preferences are also shared.
The student seeks to learn, but already knows a great deal and develops their own content on a functional internet site. This site, a registered business, is used to turn in student assignments, as well as to publish written works about the learning materials, software evaluations, and preferences or evidence of understanding and opinion.
Some functionality is incompatible with what the student uses and rather than to learn a new Microsoft program, which is unwanted, the student chooses to review the incompatibilities, using advanced collegiate approaches to software functionality evaluation.
What should the student be graded on? Their ability to write code or their ability to evaluate software differences, learning approaches, choice, and other factors that contribute to workplace retention, functional systems, enjoyment, and acceptable works published online?
Simple test takers are limited to Yes/No; What is 2+2 with conditional formatting? Other evaluators or logical thinkers want to know why you are asking and how does this affect the over all product, in preparation for the reuse of valuable code and programming skill.
It’s better to plan for the future, not by memorization, but by thorough evaluation, understanding goals, use, and what is considered ‘reusable’ in the future and that includes all learning materials the student is exposed to.
Do Doctor’s Code?
They don’t often code, but they can review code and understand the challenges their patients face with multiple systems, demands, options, and limitations, and they can facilitate communications where one or more falls short in what is being asked, encouraged, and what is considered acceptable or unacceptable works.
Choice and taste in what is seen and unseen is often present in programming works. Some are comfortable with ‘text’ only work, while others must have visual integration and simplified systems, aware of software advancement and ease of use offered by other systems.
The same problems occur on Software Projects when the decision has already been made to hire programmers who are strictly talented with certain programming skills. Budgets and costs increase and so do frustrations if Human Resources or the team does not understand Internet Development issues beyond a simple software application skill.
Intellectual development is the main factor, but so is the ability to detect bad programming, teaching, limits of choice, and future execution, or the prevention of educational advancement.
If JavaScript wanted to argue, they would need to explain why they are not simply compatible with WordPress and be willing to accept that there are other more skilled and qualified options, that might actually benefit the industry or both.
Memorizing JavaScript and using Microsoft’s Visual Studio to demonstrate JavaScript, text only HTML coding, is equivalent to asking a person to type the dictionary, add pictures, design the calculator, and then take a Database class, to realize, the courses were out of order and they should’ve learned Database Programming first.
They can still survive, but if they are most experienced on Database Application Development, then they know Microsoft tools are required, but the educators should also know that the developer cannot build a Database Driven Web Application on WordPress, using JavaScript, and be a Problem Manager in 8 weeks.
It is better to build on what is already known and available, evaluate tools to be used in the future that are useful and applicable now and in the future, considering past experience and exposure or direct use.
As strong opinions are formed, bold moves are made, some declining to even attempt a part of an assignment because it is already known the book is based on old software applications, where new methods might be available, which should always be encouraged, alongside the student’s application in what is being learned.
The University creates valuable thinkers and evaluators, not programmed students to simply do the task without consideration of ease of use, cost, progress, future use, value, and how it affects current published works or systems.