Elevator Pitch
Different developer communities exist with many built around a city and some around a Higher Education Institution. This is all good but what is the ROI of these independent community building process against mainstreaming some of these effort in HEI course of studies? Let’s share the stats & argue!
Description
Many Higher Education Institution (HEI) who offer computer science as a course of study in Nigeria rely on the Basic Minimum Academic Standard (BMAS) set aside by Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) to form their curriculum. A few actually make the extra effort to add more courses to go beyond that minimum. Many literally copy-paste from other institutions. Nonetheless, there is no place in that curriculum that specify that python can be taught or should be taught. Actually, it should not, but it should nudge towards that. All things been equal, it is proving to be a better introductory course than any language known, in the opinion of the students and experienced developers. A module (course) feedback obtained from our First Year students and a brief follow-up we did afterwards reveal some interesting information and opportunities. It helps us to conclude that mainstreaming by encouraging institution to adopt python as an elementary programming language gives them (HEI) a better value. And every python enthusiast have a role to make this happen - will explain how.
Notes
Technically, this is a light talk that should spur all stakeholders to see where and how to expand impact using our Higher Education Institutions in more efficient manner. As a Higher Education teacher, I have seen first-hand the transformation effect this had on our students and eventually the institution. I thus want to encourage every python enthusiast to play their role in getting to see Python adopted as the primary introductory programming course in our Higher Education Institutions. And Even a student does have a role. Everyone does.