(Fully aware of the potential problems of quoting out of context and of the limitation of using analogies...)
On 10/2/06, Scott David Daniels <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I'm catching up here, and just read the namespaces thing -- > How about "namespaces are like card catalogs in a closed stack library." Analogies to library card catalogs would need to be explained to today's kids (including those 1st year university students). If any analogy is going to be used, I think it should be a future looking one - or, at least a "time-neutral" one. I'd prefer something like namespace <--> book variable/function/object name <--> character's name in a book two or more name for same object <--> character's name and alias(es) or nickname(s) That being said.... I believe that, just like for learning another "human" language, nothing beats the "immersion paradigm" to learn any language, including programming ones. Just introduce the vocabulary, use it in context with plenty of different examples and, soon enough, the students will construct their own "mental map" without referring to a translation in a different language. André Roberge _______________________________________________ Edu-sig mailing list Edu-sig@python.org http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/edu-sig