(jeffa) Re: Can a non-programmer teach Perl?

I recommend building course outlines now - your friend should not try to wing this material. Outline as much of the course lectures ahead of time as possible, and try to finish the rest of the course before it is actually over. For example, when the time for CGI.pm comes around, he should already have practiced the scripts that he will demonstrate to the class. He should also have his database tables 'ready to go' with tested scripts to pull and add data to them. He will need to do much more work than he will require his students to do.

One of the biggest pitfalls a teacher can fall into is appearing to be incompetent in front of the students. I recommend your friend explain on the first day that he is a student as well - honesty is a darn good policy. If he has already gone over the material before hand, then he should have slightly more confidence than if he just winged it. The catch is always that one student that asks the "Question That Cannot Be Answered Right Now"™. Best to tell the class that they will discuss that next class meeting, and then he can do his homework.

And, always, always try to have fun with it. That really helps to keep the students motivated and most importantly, interested. He also has us if he needs more resources. :)

jeffa

L-LL-L--L-LL-L--L-LL-L--
-R--R-RR-R--R-RR-R--R-RR
B--B--B--B--B--B--B--B--
H---H---H---H---H---H---
(the triplet paradiddle with high-hat)

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