🚀 go-pugleaf

Scott,

A lot depends on what you want the student to learn!

When I teach Java using VAJava, I don't even use the VB - I have the
students do everything in code.  After all, I'm teaching Java, not
VAJava (another course entirely).  And students learn best by doing.

This has the advantage (IMHO) of making them think about things like the
right classes to import, as well as how to manually create the Button or
whatever.

Basically, it's the same class whether they use VAJava or their favorite
text editor and compile/run from the command line.  But the JIT
compiler, etc. make things a lot easier, allowing students to
concentrate on the language.


Scott Stanchfield wrote:
> 
> I'm on the fence on this one...
> 
> I'll be experimenting with teaching intro Java using VAJ sometime soon.
> My thoughts on it are basically:
> 
> 1) VAJ helps put off the "where do I put the files" issue until export
>    (Where I'll explain all the compiling outside VAJ issues)
> 
> 2) IMHO, Issues such as layout design and _use_ of components/beans are
> far more important than actually typing
> 
>      Button b = new Button("Ok");
>      Panel p = new Panel(new FlowLayout());
>      p.add(b);
> 
>    I'd go over the code so people would know what to look for, but
> wouldn't make them type it in exercises
> 
> 3) I wouldn't be using connections in the VCE, just the layout
> design/bean customization
>    (I'd demo the advanced features, but I'd want them to write
> connection code)
> 
> If somone can use the code gens to get a good head start on the language
> concepts, that's a major benefit to teaching the language. There's a lot
> to be said for "getting a program working"
> 
> I still need to think ont a bit more, but I'm really leaning this way...
> 
> --
> -- Scott
> 
> ============================================================
> Scott Stanchfield     Santa Cruz, CA
>     http://www.jguru.com/thetick        thetick@jguru.com
> MageLang Institute - We Serve the Best Java Education!
>     http://www.MageLang.com
> VisualAge Tips and Tricks
>     http://www.jguru.com/thetick/visualage/tips
> 
> Johan Compagner <joco@wxs.nl> wrote in message
> news:7lfkm4$osa$2@news.software.ibm.com...
> > > That is where learning Java will come into play.  The
> > > VCE automates alot of the really tedious parts of creating GUI's,
> but
> > > you still need to know alot about Java to use it effectively.
> >
> > That's why you mustn't use a IDE for learning a language
> > You can use VAJ as a texteditor but don't use the VCE for learning
> > java.
> >
> > greetings
> > Johan compagner
> >
> >
> >

-- 

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Jerry Stuckle
jstucklex@ibm.net
JDS Computer Training Corp.
Sun Certified Java Programmer
VisualAge/Java Certified Developer
VisualAge/C++ Certified Developer

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