> Not everyone can learn coding without externally imposed structure.
That's actually not what a CS degree is primarily about. You learn to code in maybe the first 2 or 3 classes. After that, it's assumed that you can translate ideas into code and you start learning about different areas of computer science.
If you just need to learn to code for a job, there are bootcamps that can teach you that in a fraction of the time and cost.
> But those who can't probably have an ongoing problem in keeping up with the state of the art.
Personally, I wasn't able to learn to code in any meaningful way before college. I had tried to learn from books and online sources but never got beyond basic scripting. After working my way through a bachelor's degree and PhD, I don't have much trouble keeping up with the state of the art now.
That's actually not what a CS degree is primarily about. You learn to code in maybe the first 2 or 3 classes. After that, it's assumed that you can translate ideas into code and you start learning about different areas of computer science.
If you just need to learn to code for a job, there are bootcamps that can teach you that in a fraction of the time and cost.
> But those who can't probably have an ongoing problem in keeping up with the state of the art.
Personally, I wasn't able to learn to code in any meaningful way before college. I had tried to learn from books and online sources but never got beyond basic scripting. After working my way through a bachelor's degree and PhD, I don't have much trouble keeping up with the state of the art now.