Can students skip through-hole and start on SMD?
Our position, and the 'why not modern' counterpoint.
Our position
The prerequisite for SMD work is basic soldering competence. If a student cannot cleanly solder an Arduino header in two minutes with no bridges, they are not ready for 0805 resistors on a PCB. Make the progression explicit in the curriculum. SMD is an upper-classman or advanced-elective skill.
Other voices
Reputable sources worth reading before you decide. Labels reflect our honest read of each source's general stance, not direct quotes.
Manual dexterity progression literature
Broadly agreesProfessional solder-training programs explicitly progress from through-hole to SMD. Skipping the first step leaves students without the iron control SMD requires.
Modern-manufacturing pragmatism
Nuanced / mixedSome educators argue SMD is the present, through-hole is dying, and we should teach the modern workflow. The counter: fine motor control builds through through-hole work first.