Ask HN: How to teach Python to non-programmers online?

#1

Post by webartifex » Sat, Apr 11, 2020, 12:13 PM UTC

Ask HN: How to teach Python to non-programmers online?
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Re: Ask HN: How to teach Python to non-programmers online?

#2

Post by webartifex » Sat, Apr 11, 2020, 12:22 PM UTC

Hello world,

two weeks ago, I recorded and published my "Introduction to Python & Programming" course that I have been teaching to non-CS majors over the last 2 years.

Materials on GitHub: https://github.com/webartifex/intro-to-python

Playlist on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Zns-vfhuic&list=PL-2JV1G3J1...

Question: Because the semester is over at the end of April and I have no teaching obligations until the fall term, I was wondering if I should be teaching the course over the summer. I have no experience with developing a MOOC, so I am curious to hear your suggestions.

My plan was to put one video lecture up per week and then have a Q&A for the students on, for example, Zoom. My university has a big license.

My big observations over the last couple of semesters are that non-CS majors need some personal tutoring. No need to be 1-on-1. Assigning students into small study groups and then talk to the groups is enough.

So, I am basically offering my time once a week for free for any beginner to Python.

Maybe we can start an initiative where other software engineers also volunteer their time in a similar format.

I audited a couple of the standard MOOCs on edX and coursera in the last year and find that especially beginners struggle if they only have a message board to ask questions and not an interactive tutor.

What are your thoughts?

Re: Ask HN: How to teach Python to non-programmers online?

#3

Post by aabbcc1241 » Sat, Apr 11, 2020, 12:28 PM UTC

webartifex wrote: post #2

Hello world, two weeks ago, I recorded and published my "Introduction to Python & Programming" course that I have been teaching to non-CS majors over the last 2 years. Materials on GitHub: https://github.com/webartifex/intro-to-python Playlist on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Zns-vfhuic&list=PL-2JV1G3J1... Question: Because the semester is over at the end of April and I have no teaching obligations until…

Appreciate your work. I know it's hard to get response from the internet of block hole, so here's a cheer up

Re: Ask HN: How to teach Python to non-programmers online?

#4

Post by aabbcc1241 » Sat, Apr 11, 2020, 12:30 PM UTC

webartifex wrote: post #2

Hello world, two weeks ago, I recorded and published my "Introduction to Python & Programming" course that I have been teaching to non-CS majors over the last 2 years. Materials on GitHub: https://github.com/webartifex/intro-to-python Playlist on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Zns-vfhuic&list=PL-2JV1G3J1... Question: Because the semester is over at the end of April and I have no teaching obligations until…

I know it's a bit side tracked, you may consider to use FOSS alternative of Zoom, for example Jitsi.

Re: Ask HN: How to teach Python to non-programmers online?

#5

Post by aabbcc1241 » Sat, Apr 11, 2020, 12:32 PM UTC

webartifex wrote: post #2

Hello world, two weeks ago, I recorded and published my "Introduction to Python & Programming" course that I have been teaching to non-CS majors over the last 2 years. Materials on GitHub: https://github.com/webartifex/intro-to-python Playlist on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Zns-vfhuic&list=PL-2JV1G3J1... Question: Because the semester is over at the end of April and I have no teaching obligations until…

Beside showing videos lecture. Setting up interactive exercise maybe helpful to some type of students. Example like codeingame.

Re: Ask HN: How to teach Python to non-programmers online?

#6

Post by webartifex » Sat, Apr 11, 2020, 12:49 PM UTC

aabbcc1241 wrote: post #5

webartifex wrote: post #2

Hello world, two weeks ago, I recorded and published my "Introduction to Python & Programming" course that I have been teaching to non-CS majors over the last 2 years. Materials on GitHub: https://github.com/webartifex/intro-to-python Playlist on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Zns-vfhuic&list=PL-2JV1G3J1... Question: Because the semester is over at the end of April and I have no teaching obligations until…

Beside showing videos lecture. Setting up interactive exercise maybe helpful to some type of students. Example like codeingame.

I created lots of exercises. They are all on GitHub (see *_02_exercises.ipynb files on https://github.com/webartifex/intro-to-python). My "offline" students take between 4 to 8 hours per exercise set.

Re: Ask HN: How to teach Python to non-programmers online?

#7

Post by webartifex » Sat, Apr 11, 2020, 12:50 PM UTC

aabbcc1241 wrote: post #4

webartifex wrote: post #2

Hello world, two weeks ago, I recorded and published my "Introduction to Python & Programming" course that I have been teaching to non-CS majors over the last 2 years. Materials on GitHub: https://github.com/webartifex/intro-to-python Playlist on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Zns-vfhuic&list=PL-2JV1G3J1... Question: Because the semester is over at the end of April and I have no teaching obligations until…

I know it's a bit side tracked, you may consider to use FOSS alternative of Zoom, for example Jitsi.

I tried this out this week for a workshop. It seems to not run smoothly on Firefox and some students have company laptops where they cannot change the browser easily.

Also, I heavily use Zoom's breakout rooms functionality.

Re: Ask HN: How to teach Python to non-programmers online?

#8

Post by webartifex » Sat, Apr 11, 2020, 12:52 PM UTC

aabbcc1241 wrote: post #3

webartifex wrote: post #2

Hello world, two weeks ago, I recorded and published my "Introduction to Python & Programming" course that I have been teaching to non-CS majors over the last 2 years. Materials on GitHub: https://github.com/webartifex/intro-to-python Playlist on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Zns-vfhuic&list=PL-2JV1G3J1... Question: Because the semester is over at the end of April and I have no teaching obligations until…

Appreciate your work. I know it's hard to get response from the internet of block hole, so here's a cheer up

Thanks :)

You may share my materials with anyone you know who wants to start Python.

Also, I am very open to pull requests with additional exercises and content.

Re: Ask HN: How to teach Python to non-programmers online?

#9

Post by DoreenMichele » Sat, Apr 11, 2020, 1:02 PM UTC

I have no suggestions, but wanted to say thanks. I want to learn Python. I am "non technical" for the HN crowd and I keep failing to learn to program cuz Reasons.

I wish I had brilliant suggestions. But I suspect if I knew what on Earth I need someone to do for me, I would not be continuing to fail to learn to code.

I have made a note of this HN link in my "I have fantasies of learning to code -- someday!!!" files and I hope to check it out soon, but not right this minute, cuz Reasons.