I’m not creative! (2)

SA all, Kol Ramdan We 2entom Taybeeeeeeeeeeeeen!!!

Let’s continue what we have started in the first of this series. I should give another example to prove my opinion. It is about my ACM life.

2) Solving Programming problems

In the simplest words, a problem is a text describing some thing that can be programmed. Student writes a code that will be judged on test cases, if the code passed the test cases, he gets a grade.

Imagine problem “Read 2 numbers and display their sum”. Imagine inputs/outputs:   {2 7} {9}   {4 7} {11}, if student gives same outputs as judge outputs, he gets a grade, else he gets zero.

Imagine 2 strategies by 2 coaches on 2 students.

The First coach lets his student solve the problem, if student fails, coach gives him test cases, and then student reads them and checks his code for bugs. Also coach may give him his code to compare codes together.

The Second coach lets his student solve the problem, if student fails coach asks him to check his code again, and find tricky cases until he catches his bug. If student fails again, coach may give him a hint and so on.

Can you imagine in the future, what will be the differences between theses 2 students?

The first one will have limited skills and need much guide and support to find his problems, and if he faces new thing, he may not be able to solve it.

The Second one will use his experience always in analyzing and designing solutions. Even if the problem is a new one for him, he will be ready to attack it.

What I want to say through this boring story: The methodology that we impose on our students, really affects them. It affects their way of thinking, imaging and finding a solution. If you train them on certain type of problems, what if they meet another type, how they will deal. BUT if you train them on thinking and analyzing, they will be creative and even can solve new problems they do not know.

I still remember that when I was in secondary school, I trained on solving problem format (these problems that came each year in exams, and has certain structure).  So teacher can easily make me identify the problem and tell me “If you find x y problem, do 1, 2 and 3 and you will get the full mark!!!”.

Do you think each teacher should revise him self and his strategy?

I’m not creative! (1)

Salmo aleko wa ra7mt allah we barkatoh.

Did you ask yourself before, “Am I a creative person?”.

Did you ask yourself before, “Why this person is creative?”.

….

Today I have some thoughts regarding this issue. These thoughts may be true, partially true, or totally wrong.

Let’s hear some people talks:

“Do you know, whenever I talked with this person, I feel gap between us; Really a creative person!”.

“I am a failure girl.”

“Stupid people, they are not creative at all”.

“Hi, You are really a creative girl. Thanks so much, el7amd lelah, Haza men fadl Rabby.”

and more…and more…and more…and more…

I am not going to comment on these people. I just wish to share with you, one reason that makes people creative. It is “The Environment that controls us with its rules.”

I believe that any person under certain field/job, is creative because of the environment rules. I will try to show that through some examples.

EX.1) Berlitz English Course.

Berlitz is an organization that offers English courses for people to improve their skills(speaking+listening).  One of the most important rules of Berlitz is that: “Any word in the class out of mouth of a teacher or a student, MUST be in English.”

Student: Wow, I know Arabic only, How come I will listen to English all the time!!!

The student pays money anyway, so I believe the big problem is for the teacher. If I am a teacher who knows English very well, and I would like to work in Berlitz English courses, How I will accept under this rule.

Old person @ Berlitz may have this solution: There is only one way to do that, try to find someway to express your self.

Do you know to accept this job, what should you be? you should be creative, and if not yet, you should learn  how to be.

Come and see our teacher @ Berlitz course, Mrs.Shaimaa . Wow, really creative person, When she picks a new word, every thing in her express that word; her move, hands, sound, face and body and also the nice pictures she draws. Really she is a brilliant and keeps us focus, learn and have fun with her fantastic soft skills.

Imagine for a while if this rule does not exist. Simply, anyone know English will come and taught us. I think you may remember English lessons in all of our academic year.

Doctor: “Dog ya3ni kalb/ Apple ya3ni tofa7a, far5a ya3ni chicken: 3eed warya bysot 3aly”

Sure there is a big difference, Berlitz pushes this person to be creative; if she must express some thing complex, she expresses it once,  if no one understands, she thinks, and expresses it again in different method, some people understand and some do not, she tries to draw and act and do every thing possible, and finally all people understand. I will let for my reader his judgment on Berlitz idea, and on its effect on teacher & students.

In next posts I will give another 2 examples, wait & see.

To be continued in another post.