Ask HN: How to help CS freshmen learn programming

2 pointsby godmodusil y a 9 ans0 comments

My CS department is having some trouble with new applicants. Only a few can actually program, and the dropout rate is very high.

How would you suggest this be tackled?

1 comments

brudgersil y a 9 ans

Only a few can actually program suggests that the ability of applicants to program before entering is an assumption of the curriculum...and the dropout rate, if seen as a negative and some departments don't see it as one, suggests that the curriculum needs to be reengineered. And that's a test of how serious the department is about meeting students where they are.

Good luck.