Why is XP Not Taught in Many Schools?

The Mob Mentality Show

Have you ever wondered why Extreme Programming (XP) isn’t commonly taught in schools? In this engaging episode of the Mob Mentality Show, we dive into this intriguing question brought to us by the mob programming community.

🎓 What We Cover:
1️⃣ A Junior Developer's Dilemma: If schools don’t teach XP, does it mean it’s not critical for your career?
2️⃣ Academia’s Pushback: What are professors saying about XP and unit testing? Is XP seen as incompatible with academic goals?
3️⃣ Systems Thinking in Action: Unpacking how a systems-thinking approach (holistic problem-solving) provides clarity on this issue.
4️⃣ The Runner Analogy: How comparing sprinters and cross-country runners sheds light on coding strategies.
5️⃣ Universities vs. Industry Needs: Are schools preparing students for industry or academic research? What should their goals be?
6️⃣ Degree Confusion: Why students struggle to navigate differences between computer science and software engineering programs.
7️⃣ Niche or Necessity? Why XP, a small sector of the software industry, may not get the spotlight it deserves in schools.
8️⃣ Unit Testing's Lone Survival: Is unit testing finding its way into classrooms, but XP is not?
9️⃣ The “Unknown Unknowns” Problem: What happens when students don’t even realize the value XP could bring to their careers.
🔟 Solutions That Work: Experiments and strategies we’ve used to promote XP in university curricula.

💡 Why This Episode Matters:

• Maintainability in Code: Discover why maintainability is crucial—not just in industry, but even for academic projects.
• Handling Resistance: Learn how educators can introduce XP despite opposition from traditional academic mindsets.
• Spotlighting Success: Shout-outs to universities doing XP right and what others can learn from them.
• Academia-Industry Collaboration: Insights from years spent on professional committees advocating for XP.

📌 Who Should Watch This Episode?

• Students: Discover why your curriculum may overlook XP and how to build the skills yourself.
• Educators: Get inspired to bring XP into your classrooms and navigate institutional challenges.
• Industry Professionals: Understand the gap between academia and industry, and what it means for hiring new grads.

Join us as we explore the challenges and opportunities of integrating XP into education. With actionable insights, engaging analogies, and practical advice, this episode is packed with ideas to spark change.
Video and Show Notes: https://youtu.be/CidbB_SBGl0