ON LACK OF FOUNDATION LEARNING

From: Maria Thomadakis

Date: 15 Mar 2006

I am trying to understand the concepts involved [in database design] and would be interested in taking a certificate course but live in Toronto, Ontario. Is there one you would recommend, either in the locale I reside in or online?

From: Fabian Pascal

Unfortunately, it is practically impossible these days to learn database fundamentals. Most of the stuff is product training, or horribly wrong, and I am not exaggerating. Your best bet is a solid university course, but even those are hard to find, as most universities are now essentially product trainers for the vendors. If you have any local course accessible, send me the syllabus and I'll let you know if it's OK.

I have been trying to give my seminars in Canada, but very few practitioners are even aware that fundamentals are necessary. If you know of any interest in organizing any or can help, please let me know.

From: Maria Thomadakis

What about teaching one online? I'm certain that you will be able to reach a broader audience. I took a database design course in college years ago and I can't even remember it. Presently, I want to expand my skill set as a DBA and get into design, etc. and as such, there are no courses out there - I've checked universities and colleges and I could only find one and that was bundled with other courses to help you attain Oracle certification.

From: Fabian Pascal

I do not believe in online education; no good teacher does. It's nothing like interaction between students and teacher. As to demand, I am not so sure. As I said, people are unaware of the subject of fundamentals because they are neither taught it, nor required to know it. The reason universities certify for Oracle is because that's what employers and students demand. And there are very few good teachers of fundamentals.

One possibility is use the papers and books as a basis for tutorial exchanges, that is, readers could ask me questions about the material for a fee. My guess is that people prefer the free crap online than to pay what a solid education is worth.

Perhaps it's good thing you don't remember, chances are it was wrong :), although the older ones had a much better chance of being right. Also, more likely than not it was not good teaching.

See what I mean? I rest my case.

From: Maria Thomadakis

I've been looking for a course in database design for about 18 months now. I've managed to get by without it, but I myself believe it to be a real weakness on my part not being able to design and interpret models myself based on the business requirements of a project. I'll keep you posted and if you happen to come across anything that remotely smacks of this, let me know.

From: Fabian Pascal

Perhaps if you knew correct design and interpretation you would become frustrated and depressed by how things are done in the industry. In this business, ignorance may be bliss. It is for most practitioners. But we're all paying for it.

From: Maria Thomadakis

Unfortunately, yes. But only for thinking people who have the ability to reason independently and critically. My site exists for their benefit, but they are extremely and increasingly scarce, due to serious failures of the educational system, and society punishing thinking and inducing and rewarding conformism. Here's just a small part of the evidence.

Lenin, Trotsky and Freedom from the Tyranny of Knowledge and Reason
The Myth of Market-based Education

More on the State of the Industry

More on Market-based Education
More on the Educational System and Industry Practice
More on Reason and Knowledge 2
More on Products and Ignorance

Good luck. If and when you want to opt for the tutorial approach I suggested, let me know. From an expediency perspective, that may be your only bet.

Posted 4/28/06