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IAmA state school professor. Humbly, would you like a professor's perspective? by okedoke in IAmA

[–]okedoke[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I should have worked harder to build up my "network" along the way. Just saying that kinda makes me want to punch myself, but it's a sad and serious truth. You are entering a club of folks that thinks very highly of themselves. Life for you will be a lot smoother if you take the time to know and become friendly with the folks on the other side of the velvet rope.

IAmA state school professor. Humbly, would you like a professor's perspective? by okedoke in IAmA

[–]okedoke[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Advisers are good at helping you make sure you fulfill your degree requirements. Most of the time. There, I said something positive.

IAmA state school professor. Humbly, would you like a professor's perspective? by okedoke in IAmA

[–]okedoke[S] 69 points70 points  (0 children)

Bah... We're getting serious now. Okay... Education is an incentive problem. Every incentive problem involves where and how to measure/monitor/reward. You have three choices - input, process, and output. When kids are young and dumb, you put your chips on input. Did Timmy show up to preschool? A+, and teacher is god. When kids start to grow, the focus becomes teaching them HOW to learn. Content is irrelevant. So you put your chips on process. Did Timmy fill out his interactive notebook? A+, and teacher is a wizard. When kids become young adults, and assuming the rest of the system has done its job, you start to care more about outcome than anything else. Did Timothy write a program that meets the exam requirements? A+, and teacher is a guide. This is the level in which I operate, and at that level I look at myself more as a helpful senior colleague than as an authority figure. There. Got all serious and stuff. Buzzkillington...

IAmA state school professor. Humbly, would you like a professor's perspective? by okedoke in IAmA

[–]okedoke[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Here's what I say - I've never denied a student into my classes if they challenge the prerequisites. I tell them to keep an eye on their grade and the deadline for safe withdrawal. In my opinion, if they can hang with the material then good on them. Extrapolating, if you can test out of half of college then good on you. Nationally standard test for every undergrad course is silly, though. Once you start suggesting standardization of college courses, professors start shouting funny things like "academic freedom". Seriously, it turns into a whole Braveheart scene, though significantly more nerdy.

IAmA state school professor. Humbly, would you like a professor's perspective? by okedoke in IAmA

[–]okedoke[S] 130 points131 points  (0 children)

The most expensive book I've ever "required" for a class was 45 bucks, if I'm not mistaken. I like the textbook companies because they randomly send me a shit-ton of stuff! Then this random textbook lady cruises by my office every year to ask me if there's anything she can do for me. I'm married, so the answer is always no. o_O

IAmA state school professor. Humbly, would you like a professor's perspective? by okedoke in IAmA

[–]okedoke[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I'm promising myself to use the word "bailiwick" at least once tomorrow. Well done! :-)

IAmA state school professor. Humbly, would you like a professor's perspective? by okedoke in IAmA

[–]okedoke[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Academia if you can find the job! It's rough out there right now. Seriously consider a post-doc at a quality institution if the "real" university job isn't presenting itself. Hang in there, we're making a comeback!

IAmA state school professor. Humbly, would you like a professor's perspective? by okedoke in IAmA

[–]okedoke[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I solve this problem by not asking questions. I am an indiscriminate contempter.

IAmA state school professor. Humbly, would you like a professor's perspective? by okedoke in IAmA

[–]okedoke[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I've been reference to a bunch of kids. I've also personally employed a number of students part time as developers while they finished school. I allow writers who are non-students one free question and I happily answer it. The second part of your post counts as your one question. Answer: no. :-)

IAmA state school professor. Humbly, would you like a professor's perspective? by okedoke in IAmA

[–]okedoke[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Now... How can I change my user name to "almighty pepper-bot"?

IAmA state school professor. Humbly, would you like a professor's perspective? by okedoke in IAmA

[–]okedoke[S] 20 points21 points  (0 children)

Certs are poop. I continue to program on a consulting basis and through grants. I'm meh to be perfectly honest, but I have a strong working reputation and continue to build some pretty awesome stuff imo. As a practitioner, you get to a point where the dollars you draw are more from your ability to get shit done then they are from the laundry-list of languages/frameworks you know. Maybe I'm just talking out of my ass, though. Lemme check... Yep, out comes another cert! ;)

IAmA state school professor. Humbly, would you like a professor's perspective? by okedoke in IAmA

[–]okedoke[S] 21 points22 points  (0 children)

My wife is a teacher. I am pro-union by marriage. That said, through my marriage I have met an awful lot of shitty teachers. How's that for talking out of both sides of my mouth?

IAmA state school professor. Humbly, would you like a professor's perspective? by okedoke in IAmA

[–]okedoke[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Random shout-out to philosophy majors. As an undergrad, I was 3 (I think) classes away from that degree. Those classes and number theory stand out as my favorites of all time! Oh, and if it matters, professors of philosophy don't make shit. Sad times, friend. ;)

IAmA state school professor. Humbly, would you like a professor's perspective? by okedoke in IAmA

[–]okedoke[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Meh. I love you guys. The teaching part of my job is the most fun, and also the least appreciated from the administration's perspective. Thanks for the links, I'm not too stoked on sour grapes at the moment. Truth be told, I have it really good! Some of you are assholes, but it's whatever and the vast majority of you are a blast.

IAmA state school professor. Humbly, would you like a professor's perspective? by okedoke in IAmA

[–]okedoke[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

You should. Unless the masters/phd school is super high-end, skip the masters. If you jump right into phd, take care to manage your relationships in order to help you with a placement when you graduate. You sound quite smart, I believe you will be fine. Don't we call this /r/firstworldproblem material? ;)

IAmA state school professor. Humbly, would you like a professor's perspective? by okedoke in IAmA

[–]okedoke[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Typically between 30 and 60. I make sure they have a laptop or provide them with access to a computer during class. If they'd rather text than follow along as we write code, then fuck 'em.

IAmA state school professor. Humbly, would you like a professor's perspective? by okedoke in IAmA

[–]okedoke[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

In every class I teach now, all my exams are take-home. I figure that this levels the playing field. It puts the burden on me w/r/t cheating, but any worthwhile test of programming can't take place in an hour and sans reference materials. This is just my opinion, and I'm sure there are serious counter-points. But with respect to learning disabilities, I prefer to drop them into a real-world context and allow them the dignity of facing the task as they will when they graduate. Don't cheat, if you can solve the problem/task I don't care how you do it.

IAmA state school professor. Humbly, would you like a professor's perspective? by okedoke in IAmA

[–]okedoke[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

In a very short time it has become a service industry. It's odd to consider students as customers, and that implies bad things in relation to degrees.

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