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JavaScript Interactive Web Pages with JavaScript Traversing and Manipulating the DOM with JavaScript Perform: Traversing Elements with children

Stewart Horsfield
Stewart Horsfield
13,293 Points

This is all very unclear

Just a comment, really. Andrew doesn't really explain what he's doing here as he's doing it, which makes it very difficult to follow along with if you're not familiar with the methods he's using.

This is a great course, but this lesson really lost me, and from the looks of the other questions, I'm not the only one who feels this way. I understand it is easier in many cases to 'do the thing, and explain it after', but much more explanation was required than was given. Perhaps a written appendix explaining the methods (especially the reasoning behind the structure of the bindTaskEvents function, and the related planning comments) could be added to the teacher's notes to supplement this video?

jason chan
jason chan
31,009 Points

I'm using books and youtube to supplement my javascript learninging. It's tough language. LOLs

Donal Phipps
Donal Phipps
16,389 Points

I agree, this particular video was hard to follow and seemed to jump quickly over several ideas at a much faster pace than previously. In particular, the DRY section was skipped over quickly without fully explaining how the function code can be re-used for both instances - incomplete and complete tasks. Generally, I think too many functions / code blocks were introduced in this one video - it felt like I had too many mental "plates spinning" to really follow and absorb everything.

That said - the next video does clear things up a little, as the purpose of each section of code becomes clearer and less abstract. I plan on rewatching this video after completing this section, I expect it to make more sense second time around.

14 Answers

Sandro Meschiari
Sandro Meschiari
18,418 Points

Agreed, this lesson in particular is very confusing, but is not the only one, even other lesson of Andrew are.

I agree with many of the comments here. Andrew seems like a nice guy but I wonder if many of the JavaScript and jQuery videos would benefit from being shorter with more tasks in between. I'm not keen on writing out all the steps we are going to take each time as much as I appreciate why it's useful to do so. Perhaps smaller segments would be beneficial with more practical tasks to consolidate what we are learning....

I agree also. Seems like a great guy but he could definitely be more thorough in explaining the reasoning behind things.

I agree. Dave McFarland does a great job with JS videos and keeping them short with lots of challenges. I was looking forward to getting back to him teaching after Andrew did the jQuery course. Not sure what it is about Andrews' style but it makes it very difficult to get a grasp of what's going on for me.

Robin Dykema
Robin Dykema
10,026 Points

100% agree with everything said. I feel like I'm absorbing very little from these videos.

My head is spinning right now , too many functions and no breaking up of explanation. It just gets too overwhelming in one video. I was doubting my capability right now. Glad I decided to check out the questions and see other people feel the same. I don't like saying this but really not a fan of Andrew's style of teaching.

Joaquin Ferrer
Joaquin Ferrer
9,018 Points

Agreed, this lesson got me confussed and kindda lost track of what was going on. Not sure why he is doing those loops. I'm a beginner and I have been able to follow along most lessons, but this one was a bit overwhelming.

Danielle Howard
Danielle Howard
4,402 Points

I agree with everyone here, I am finding Andrews video's frustrating as some essential explanations behind why certain things are being done are missed out. Its all very well typing out the code as he types, but it is helpful to understand why I am doing something, so I can understand the logic behind it.

Also I feel as though there aren't enough 'challenges' between the videos to consolidate the knowledge we are learning. The only way I am progressing through this section of the course is by reading questions from other people and googling deeper explanations.

Ovidiu Grosu
Ovidiu Grosu
10,945 Points

I have to agree with people complaining here. At first I thought it's just me but looks like more people have trouble following Andrew. Honestly I really liked Dave too. I hope I'll see him back in the next lessons.

I think it is helpful to understand how javascript works in general. Javascript is an event driven language. What that means is that it will respond to an action taken by the user with a 'callback' aka function. So when andrew binds an event what he is doing is telling javascript. Hey anytime this event occurs run this block of code. I hope this answers the question your asking. If not let me know and I can try to explain further for you.

Andrew is a nice guy, but his teaching methods could use a bit of work. I like that he encourages us to get in the habit of utilizing MDN, but he doesn't really take time to break down concepts when using them. He simply says this is x, it does y, so let's use it. Then he speeds on to the next idea. There's no time to digest or break down what x is, how it does y, and how all the parts fit. This is coming from someone who took all the JS courses prior to this one.

Marcio Mello
Marcio Mello
7,861 Points

Initially I felt that the transition between Dave McFarland and Andrew was really hard. With Dave we had very well explained concepts and LOTs of code challenges. They were not only higher in number, but also had many steps in it. With Andrew's challenges its almost a "repeat the last thing you just saw in the previous video, even if you don't get anything". I am getting used little by little, but it sure would be better if the DETAILS were better explained. Both are great tutors, but one could learn somethings from the other.

Donte Ormsby
Donte Ormsby
2,544 Points

Glad to hear I'm not alone. I really liked Dave's lessons a lot. Andrew seems knowledgeable, but he's bouncing around the code WAY too much. He's going from an incomplete function, into a for loop, and then back into the function to write a little bit more, all without explaining the details of the function. I like the outline of what's going to happen, but I would have preferred he just write out the completed functions first and explain them before moving on. REALLY hoping I'll see David in future Javascript trainings.

james rochabrun
PLUS
james rochabrun
Courses Plus Student 22,726 Points

I am sure that andrew its a great person and an amazing developer, but i am sorry i must agree with every body, hopefully dave can make all about javascript.