Hey everyone! I'm looking to share my love for programming with a friend who's new to it and isn't aiming to become a pro, so I'll be showing them some Python. With over a decade in computer science, I've forgotten the hurdles I faced when I started, and I'd love to hear from you all. What challenges did you encounter that you wish someone had guided you through more effectively? Any advice or insights from students and teachers alike would be super helpful!
4 Answers
Honestly, every new concept feels like a mountain to climb. Just when you think you've understood something like loops or recursion, it turns out there's so much more to it! I think separating enjoyment from the pressure of job prep can be tricky. Since you're teaching just for fun, your friend might appreciate the chance to explore without that pressure!
When I first began, the Object-Oriented programming craze was in full swing, and honestly, it just didn't click for me. I was around 11 and found it super frustrating! I ended up sticking with procedural programming for a while, hoping the OO phase would pass. It feels like there are so many layers to learning these concepts!
I find that knowing where to look for help can be pretty tough. For example, while I'm building a To-Do list in Ruby, I'm stuck on comparing the index of my array with user input. It's hard to figure out even if I understand the logic behind it!
Remember how kids learn math? They don’t jump straight into complex stuff. They start with basic counting and build up from there. It’s probably best to start your friend slow, maybe clarifying what a variable is before diving into deeper topics. Having everything set up for them can really help too! And it's crucial they genuinely want to learn, or it’ll just be a struggle for both of you!
Great point! I’ll definitely set up an easy environment for them. And yes, they reached out asking for help, so I’m confident they really want to learn!