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I was wrong to make beginners memorize code before building anything
I used to insist that new coders should memorize all the basic syntax like loops and variables first. I thought it was the best way to learn, similar to memorizing math formulas. But then I saw people lose interest quickly because it felt boring and pointless. For instance, a friend I taught got frustrated just writing print statements for days without a real goal. Now I believe beginners should jump into a simple project, like a basic calculator or a todo list, even if they don't understand every line at first. Getting something to work on screen makes learning fun and shows progress. That hands-on approach keeps them coding instead of quitting, which is what really matters.
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leoreed20h ago
Memorizing loops before any real project drove your friend away... What's the first concrete thing you have beginners build today? I've seen tutorials where people just follow steps without learning why... Figuring out how to blend fun projects with actual understanding seems like the next hurdle.
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skyler19020h ago
Had my cousin build a dumb text game first, @leoreed.
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