Re. classroom exercises

[Geoff Hart <geoff-h -at- MTL -dot- FERIC -dot- CA>]

     Interesting to see the vituperative nature of the
     opponents on both sides of the "tying shoelaces as
     a classroom exercise" thread. I suspect that those
     who heaped scorn on the idea haven't actually
     tried to do the exercise they're condemning, or
     else they'd be less scornful. The criticism also
     seems to be leveled at the complexity of the task,
     rather than the documentation process. Similarly,
     they probably don't have preschoolers to teach
     this task, else they'd be intimately familiar with
     what I consider the true purposes of the exercise
     to be:

     - to analyze the needs of an audience that doesn't
     necessarily understand the subject (kids,
     representing non-experts in this context) or need
     to understand it (in the case of those with velcro
     fasteners)
     - to (almost certainly) provide accompanying
     illustrations, which we techwhirlers often forget
     to include in our communication
     - to complete the exercise quickly so that the
     class can build on it and apply it. (If this were
     the most complicated exercise, or the only point
     being made, then there would be some justice to
     the criticism.)

     In my opinion, the exercise succeeds quite well
     for all three goals... provided that it
     illustrates a point and builds on the point rather
     than simply tossing off a quickie lesson.

     --Geoff Hart    @8^{)}
     geoff-h -at- mtl -dot- feric -dot- ca

     Disclaimer: If I didn't commit it in print in one
     of our reports, it don't represent FERIC's
     opinion.