Can a simple algebra test predict programming aptitude?
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Re: Can a simple algebra test predict programming aptitude?
#2One thing I'm a little uncertain of is the ideology behind these kinds of things, it seems like the primary purpose here is to keep people out of the field.
Also I think those are some pretty weak quantitative results, and good exhibits for argument against p-values.
Re: Can a simple algebra test predict programming aptitude?
#3Re: Can a simple algebra test predict programming aptitude?
#4One thing I'm a little uncertain of is the ideology behind these kinds of things, it seems like the primary purpose here is to keep people out of the field. Also I think those are some pretty weak quantitative results, and good exhibits for argument against p-values.
Why do you think the results are quantitatively weak? My first critique is just the small sample size with ~60 students and the tests, which appear to be different between the students.
Re: Can a simple algebra test predict programming aptitude?
#5One thing I'm a little uncertain of is the ideology behind these kinds of things, it seems like the primary purpose here is to keep people out of the field. Also I think those are some pretty weak quantitative results, and good exhibits for argument against p-values.
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Re: Can a simple algebra test predict programming aptitude?
#6One thing I'm a little uncertain of is the ideology behind these kinds of things, it seems like the primary purpose here is to keep people out of the field. Also I think those are some pretty weak quantitative results, and good exhibits for argument against p-values.
Why do you think the results are quantitatively weak? My first critique is just the small sample size with ~60 students and the tests, which appear to be different between the students.
The OP alluded to p-values, and I think this may be relevant:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OL1RqHrZQ8
Not that this necessarily refutes the original article, I just thought it might be relevant to discussion.
Re: Can a simple algebra test predict programming aptitude?
#7How is programming aptitude measured and defined?
Re: Can a simple algebra test predict programming aptitude?
#8One thing I'm a little uncertain of is the ideology behind these kinds of things, it seems like the primary purpose here is to keep people out of the field. Also I think those are some pretty weak quantitative results, and good exhibits for argument against p-values.
That might be overly cynical. IF it's true that there is some fundamental way-of-thinking or personality trait that is both in a large minority of people, and necessary to be a proficient programmer; it is extremely valuable to know about it.
A lot of people in the field, myself included, get a hint of intuition that some people either have it or they don't.
If we could get at (or closer to) some basic principle, we could both help people focus on their strengths (by identifying those who show this trait, and being transparent with ones who don't).. and hopefully learn how to cultivate the underlying trait itself.
Wouldn't it be funny/cute/useful if just practicing a bunch of algebra word problems made proficient programmers even better?
Re: Can a simple algebra test predict programming aptitude?
#9http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betteridge%27s_law_of_headlines
you're conflating that with graham's submarines, showing a mere correlation, not causation.
Re: Can a simple algebra test predict programming aptitude?
#10How is programming aptitude measured and defined?
Codeup CEO here: it's the instructors evaluating the students based on their interactions with then and answering the question: how capable is this person of building quality web applications?