Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Application-Centricity in Our Schools?

Posted by Cliff on from the teaching-the-basics-not-a-software-package dept.

bccomm asks: "Here on Slashdot, we continually hear about new successes in bringing free software closer to the desktop. What about schools? I am a student and was once asked to redo an entire presentation because I had used Prosper instead of PowerPoint. The explanation I received from him was 'the curriculum says I'm supposed to teach Word, PowerPoint, etc, not word processing and presentations.' How is this for irony: presentation has to be about volunteer work/hobbies, and I chose to show that my computer runs a daily NetBSD snapshot. I think it just lost some effectiveness. Is anyone else bothered by this?"

2 of 87 comments (clear)

  1. um, you're taking this class why? by ArmorFiend · · Score: 3, Funny

    So, let me get this straight, you run BSD, and you need to take a class on how to use PowerPoint? Are you some kind of idiot savant, leet enough to grok the command line, but with a crippling mental block that keeps you from being able to intuit your way through what 99% of computerdom considers an easily guessable user interface?

  2. Re:Yes, but... by daveashcroft · · Score: 2, Funny

    I remember once doing a crypto assignment in undergrad computer science (to be done in ANSI C). I wrote my programme using THEIR machines...and compiled it using THEIR compiler. It compiled a treat and worked perfectly. I failed the assignment...why ?

    1) (and mainly) Because i had declared a variable in the wrong places
    2) Because their stupid "Ansi C" compiler didnt give a damn.

    "But Prof. it works! It compiles, have you tried?"

    "Yes, but it shouldnt"

    Hows that for a pain in the ass?