# A critique of introductory programming education and the loss of exploratory problem-solving

DevFeed: [A critique of introductory programming education and the loss of exploratory problem-solving](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/learning-programming-finger-painting-and-killing-zombies-40265.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://www.jeremykun.com/2012/03/15/learning-programming-zombies/>)

Published: 2012-03-15T01:01:07Z

Content type: opinion

Language: en

Sources: [Jeremy Kun](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/jeremy-kun.md>)

Topics: [Programming](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/programming.md>), [Python](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/python.md>), [Learning](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/learning.md>)

Tags: [calculus](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/calculus.md>), [education](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/education.md>), [java](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/java.md>), [learning](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/learning.md>), [mathematics](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/mathematics.md>), [programming](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/programming.md>), [python](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/python.md>), [students](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/students.md>), [teaching](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/teaching.md>)

## AI overview

The author contrasts their exploratory early programming experiences with an introductory Python course focused on following directions, manipulating data, and implementing routine exercises. They argue that students are not given enough opportunities to solve meaningful problems or experience the satisfaction of programming.

## Source excerpt

By the end, the breadth and depth of our collective knowledge was far beyond what anyone could expect from any high school course in any subject. Education Versus Exploration I'm a lab TA for an introductory Python programming course this semester, and it's been...depressing. I remember my early days of programming, when the possibilities seemed endless and adding new features to my programs was exciting and gratifying, and I brimmed with pride at every detail, and I boasted to my friends of the amazing things I did, and I felt powerful.