Learning courses
Since teaching constantly changing software programs, it is vital to learn all of the upgrades assosciated with a particular program.
I don't think that we should teach software programs. We teach concepts and we use software programs to do that. I students are strong in conceptual ideas, they will be able to learn the software themselves. Teaching them strictly software wastes the students money because the software will be outdated two or three times before the student even graduates.
Unfortunately many of our students have such weak computer skill that we end up teaching more software than we should at the expense of teaching conceptual ideas that are necessary to prepare the student for work in the field.
I feel that if a student needs to learn a program, he/she should have the opportunity to take a course that teaches that program. Being an on-line instructor, I am shocked that so many of my students do not even know how to do basic things on a computer. I'm not shocked because I feel that everyone should know it (I will be the first to admit that I am not the most tech savy), but I am rather shocked that a student who is computer illiterate would sign up for online courses. I had a recent student who couldn't figure out how to submit his assignments. I spoke to him over the phone, sent e-mails, etc. He just didn't get it. In my opinion, learn how to use a computer before taking a course online. Just my opinion.
I don't agree. Adobe is constantly adding new features (and bugs) to their suite of applications, and I learn them over time, but in my classes I focus on the core concepts, tools, and techniques of those applications.
