Comments on: Rubber ducks help best with computer science http://compsci.ca/blog/rubber-ducks-help-best-with-computer-science/ Programming, Education, Computer Science Thu, 24 Feb 2011 18:08:53 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Nitin Reddy Katkam http://compsci.ca/blog/rubber-ducks-help-best-with-computer-science/comment-page-1/#comment-108083 Nitin Reddy Katkam Wed, 09 Jul 2008 10:32:19 +0000 http://compsci.ca/blog/rubber-ducks-help-best-with-computer-science/#comment-108083 It's a little like whiteboarding, but with a rubber duck instead of a whiteboard! :-) I like drawing so I'll stay with the stack of A4 sheets on my desk that mimic a whiteboard. I wish they would give me a tablet PC instead of a conventional notebook PC at work. It’s a little like whiteboarding, but with a rubber duck instead of a whiteboard! :-)

I like drawing so I’ll stay with the stack of A4 sheets on my desk that mimic a whiteboard. I wish they would give me a tablet PC instead of a conventional notebook PC at work.

]]> By: BTU http://compsci.ca/blog/rubber-ducks-help-best-with-computer-science/comment-page-1/#comment-101509 BTU Wed, 13 Feb 2008 19:56:17 +0000 http://compsci.ca/blog/rubber-ducks-help-best-with-computer-science/#comment-101509 While it's true that both use verbalization to force a person to reorganize and arrange thoughts, I believe the socratic method has a lot more going on. Not only does it give the teacher a better understanding of the pupil's current understanding of a subject, it also gives a good indication of how the pupil approaches learning and problem-solving. And don't discount the long-term value of the "eureka" moment (apologies to Aristotle), that a pupil gains when they (hopefully) come to the correct conclusion. While it’s true that both use verbalization to force a person to reorganize and arrange thoughts, I believe the socratic method has a lot more going on. Not only does it give the teacher a better understanding of the pupil’s current understanding of a subject, it also gives a good indication of how the pupil approaches learning and problem-solving. And don’t discount the long-term value of the “eureka” moment (apologies to Aristotle), that a pupil gains when they (hopefully) come to the correct conclusion.

]]> By: Bruno Unna http://compsci.ca/blog/rubber-ducks-help-best-with-computer-science/comment-page-1/#comment-101500 Bruno Unna Wed, 13 Feb 2008 10:33:29 +0000 http://compsci.ca/blog/rubber-ducks-help-best-with-computer-science/#comment-101500 On the one hand, I don't think it is weird to believe that verbalizing a problem helps (very much) solving it. See what Paul Graham and Jason Fried <a href="http://br1unn4.wordpress.com/2005/11/24/what-do-paul-graham-and-jason-fried-have-in-common/" rel="nofollow">have to say</a> about good writing abilities. Besides, we are talking about a very old practice. Socrates used to question his disciples (insted of merely answering their question) until them found their answers by themselves. On the other hand, I'm quite surprised at the kind of responses I've read to Tony's post. Why do people consider "weird" Tony's reasoning? On the one hand, I don’t think it is weird to believe that verbalizing a problem helps (very much) solving it. See what Paul Graham and Jason Fried have to say about good writing abilities.

Besides, we are talking about a very old practice. Socrates used to question his disciples (insted of merely answering their question) until them found their answers by themselves.

On the other hand, I’m quite surprised at the kind of responses I’ve read to Tony’s post. Why do people consider “weird” Tony’s reasoning?

]]> By: michaelp http://compsci.ca/blog/rubber-ducks-help-best-with-computer-science/comment-page-1/#comment-100878 michaelp Tue, 08 Jan 2008 21:57:53 +0000 http://compsci.ca/blog/rubber-ducks-help-best-with-computer-science/#comment-100878 I never thought about trying to speak out loud to help solve my problems. I've thought about using a piece of paper, or asking questions. I might try that the next time I have a problem that I can't solve by just thinking about it. I never thought about trying to speak out loud to help solve my problems. I’ve thought about using a piece of paper, or asking questions. I might try that the next time I have a problem that I can’t solve by just thinking about it.

]]> By: BTU http://compsci.ca/blog/rubber-ducks-help-best-with-computer-science/comment-page-1/#comment-80333 BTU Sun, 04 Nov 2007 07:14:32 +0000 http://compsci.ca/blog/rubber-ducks-help-best-with-computer-science/#comment-80333 From several tech support calls I've made recently, I wouldn't be surprised if some companies have already done so :P From several tech support calls I’ve made recently, I wouldn’t be surprised if some companies have already done so :P

]]> By: ranndino http://compsci.ca/blog/rubber-ducks-help-best-with-computer-science/comment-page-1/#comment-65397 ranndino Wed, 10 Oct 2007 18:38:48 +0000 http://compsci.ca/blog/rubber-ducks-help-best-with-computer-science/#comment-65397 75% success rate? They should hire rubber ducks and teddy bears as tech support. Obvious benefits. You don't have to pay them and they are much superior to the humans they normally hire for that role when it comes to doing their job. 75% success rate? They should hire rubber ducks and teddy bears as tech support. Obvious benefits. You don’t have to pay them and they are much superior to the humans they normally hire for that role when it comes to doing their job.

]]> By: Tony http://compsci.ca/blog/rubber-ducks-help-best-with-computer-science/comment-page-1/#comment-1855 Tony Mon, 12 Feb 2007 20:23:29 +0000 http://compsci.ca/blog/rubber-ducks-help-best-with-computer-science/#comment-1855 Yes, but you'd have to subscribe to this blog's feed to make sure ;) Yes, but you’d have to subscribe to this blog’s feed to make sure ;)

]]> By: Nicole http://compsci.ca/blog/rubber-ducks-help-best-with-computer-science/comment-page-1/#comment-1853 Nicole Mon, 12 Feb 2007 19:49:09 +0000 http://compsci.ca/blog/rubber-ducks-help-best-with-computer-science/#comment-1853 Do you get any weirder? Do you get any weirder?

]]> By: Tony http://compsci.ca/blog/rubber-ducks-help-best-with-computer-science/comment-page-1/#comment-1826 Tony Mon, 12 Feb 2007 07:14:07 +0000 http://compsci.ca/blog/rubber-ducks-help-best-with-computer-science/#comment-1826 Awesome, I'd be looking forward to that! Awesome, I’d be looking forward to that!

]]> By: Olga http://compsci.ca/blog/rubber-ducks-help-best-with-computer-science/comment-page-1/#comment-1824 Olga Mon, 12 Feb 2007 06:41:37 +0000 http://compsci.ca/blog/rubber-ducks-help-best-with-computer-science/#comment-1824 I think its safe to assume a rubber duck will be among your birthday presents this year. I think its safe to assume a rubber duck will be among your birthday presents this year.

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