[quoting Tripp, 5 Apr 96] I would like to start a discussion of this topic: General skills do not exist.
This reminds me of a perpetual argument I have with our local community college. I have been teaching various computer courses there on and off for 10+ years and they are very high on teaching specific application programs (Word Perfect, Lotus 1-2-3, Paradox, etc.) and don't allow instructors to stray from this list. My argument is that they should be teaching word processing (knowledge) NOT Word Perfect (skill) so that the knowledge will transfer more easily to other programs. I believe it is important to use skills as the hands-on component to support acquisition of knowledge. In other words, I present the concepts of word processing in a lecture/demonstration format and then we're off to the lab to see how it works with a real program. Does it make any difference which program we use? I think not.