Davriellelouna@lemmy.world to Technology@lemmy.worldEnglish · 5 days agoThe Death of the Student Essay—and the Future of Cognitionwww.forkingpaths.coexternal-linkmessage-square26fedilinkarrow-up1154arrow-down15
arrow-up1149arrow-down1external-linkThe Death of the Student Essay—and the Future of Cognitionwww.forkingpaths.coDavriellelouna@lemmy.world to Technology@lemmy.worldEnglish · 5 days agomessage-square26fedilink
minus-squaresem@lemmy.blahaj.zonelinkfedilinkEnglisharrow-up25arrow-down3·5 days agoIt IS easier than reading the documentation, just like using a GPS is easier than reading a map. In both cases, the harder task helps you build a mental model much better than the easier task. For the GPS it doesn’t really matter much, since the stakes are low–it’s not important to build a mental model of a city if you can always use GPS. With programming I’m more cautious – not knowing what you’re doing can lead to serious harms. Just look at the Therac.
minus-squareFaceDeer@fedia.iolinkfedilinkarrow-up10arrow-down4·5 days agoI’m not writing code for a medical device. I’m tinkering with a mod for a game. I can’t imagine how getting something wrong would do any greater harm than wasting some of my time.
It IS easier than reading the documentation, just like using a GPS is easier than reading a map.
In both cases, the harder task helps you build a mental model much better than the easier task.
For the GPS it doesn’t really matter much, since the stakes are low–it’s not important to build a mental model of a city if you can always use GPS.
With programming I’m more cautious – not knowing what you’re doing can lead to serious harms. Just look at the Therac.
I’m not writing code for a medical device. I’m tinkering with a mod for a game. I can’t imagine how getting something wrong would do any greater harm than wasting some of my time.