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Comment by dirteater_

13 hours ago

I tried SICP straight from the book once, but I think the lectures are much better and the book acts as a supplemental reference.

9 comments

dirteater_

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easytiger  11 hours ago

That is indeed how University learning used to work, for about 1000 years

  • epolanski  9 hours ago

    It's *supposed* to work.

    In reality you get lectures from individuals that became professors because they are great at politics/research but not at teaching (very different skill).

    If you even get them and not their 25 year old assistants.

    And this is apparently super common even in ivy league universities as Youtube lessons have shown me over and over.

    • nobleach  6 hours ago

      This is why it's so awesome watching David Malan teach Harvard CS50 (free YouTube videos). His presence, knowledge and overall enthusiasm for the topic are outstanding. If more of my college courses had that level, I'd have been far more engaged. When I look back, I realize that I paid a TON of money to have some professors basically "phone it in", yet expect me to basically teach myself their subject of expertise. "Build a compiler". Yes, I can (and did) learn that from a book. I imagine if I had someone truly engaging the room during those sessions, I'd have come away with FAR more appreciation. That could have even led to a different career path.

    • dahart  3 hours ago

      All that, and it’s still better than just reading the book on your own. :P

      Be thankful when you get the 25 year old PhD students & post-docs. They care more about teaching and remember learning the material recently and are more willing to talk & help you.

      1 reply →

    • alpinisme  4 hours ago

      > And this is apparently super common even in ivy league universities as Youtube lessons have shown me over and over.

      I think you have the “even” backwards. Elite research first universities have this problem more than teaching-first, low research output programs.