[GLLUG] Classes @ LCC

[Szymon Machajewski]

I would like to offer my suggestion as well.

Here at Grand Rapids Community College we have a similar two Internet
Development Associate Degrees in Web Support and Web Design.  These are
also offered as one year Certificates.

We offer Web Databases class which covers PHP/MySQL, but not only the
basic programming but also installation of open source products from
sf.net.
Because most students have a wide range of experience with programming,
basic programming coupled with installation and maintenance skills are
of much benefit.
In our Webserver Admin class we use simply Apache.  There is enough to
discuss including security, configuring, compiling.
And then of course for the Web Support part of our degrees we have
UNIX/Linux Admin class (CompTIA Linux+).

In all these classes students receive a Knoppix CD which allows them to
run Linux, Apache, PHP, and MySQL at home without touching their Windows
installations.

In addition to these open source courses we have HTML programming
class, Macromedia Flash and other general Internet related courses.

We are an Educational Partner with MySQL which gives us the benefit of
curriculum updates right from the source.

Please let me know if you have any questions or would like to cooperate
on these subjects.  I imagine we could provide some creative labs like
allow each other to run databases on our campuses and help students
understand how flexible and scalable MySQL and Linux installation can
be.

Sincerely,

Szymon Machajewski 
MCSD, RHCT, CNA, MySQL Core, CompTIA Linux+
Grand Rapids Community College

>>> "Clay Dowling" <clay at lazarusid.com> 9/15/2004 10:05:56 AM >>>

dennis-groups6481 at mailzoo.com said:
> There are new courses (pending approval) that will be developed
include:
>
> -PHP/MySQL
> -PERL/CGI
> -Apache/IIS Web server Administration
> -Web Development Tools (Overview of Dreamweaver, Photoshop, etc.)
> -Intro to MySQL
> -Intro to Linux Desktop

Those are nice, but a class where students are forced to do some real
programming would also be good.  I have taught college courses, hired
and
trained new graduates, and the thing they are most in need of are some
basic application design and execution skills.  It looks like you have
three language introduction classes in your program already.  How about
a
course on web applications that focuses on application design and
implementation?  I would propose replacing the Intro MySQL class with
a
class on designing applications with MySQL.  Alternatively, the Linux
Desktop class could be dropped in favor of this course.

My feeling is that putting the students through this sort of course
would
make them significantly more marketable.  A student who can show a
finished application to an employer is highly preferable to one who
can
show a bunch of classes introducing them to technology.

This opinion might seem a little strong, but programming is hard and
you
shouldn't kid yourself or your students otherwise.  You'll be doing
them a
big favor by preparing them for it in advance.  Recent graduates of
other
schools that I've worked with have expressed the same thing; that more
about the hard stuff of solving problems and less about introducing
them
to technology is what they need to prepare them for the workplace.

Clay Dowling
Opinionated programmer and instructor

-- 
Lazarus Notes from Lazarus Internet Development
http://www.lazarusid.com/notes/ 
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