Launch HN: Py (YC S17) – Learn to Code on the Go • Hacker News Board

Re: Launch HN: Py (YC S17) – Learn to Code on the Go

#21

Post by derektlo » Wed, Jun 14, 2017, 6:09 PM UTC

soneca wrote: post #20

derektlo wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thanks for the comment! So we just launched our Android version today: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.py (it's still in alpha and there are a number of issues we've noticed that working around the clock to resolve ASAP) RE personalization: At the end of each chapter, users answer quizzes. We motivate people to review wrong answers through a star system: a user will earn 3 stars if they answer 100%…

You're right about keeping Android version out of landing page. Downloaded it now and a few things dont work: - in screens with "run" I can't edit the code or see the output after hitting "run". I believe I was supposed to do both. - one screen in the middle of the JS intro course is blank - at the courses I went through, the last screen's "continue" is faded out, unclickable and I can't conclude the course. In a wee…

Thank you for this - we're literally typing Java code right now to solve these. Very much appreciate the feedback and thanks for offering to try us again in a week :)

Re: Launch HN: Py (YC S17) – Learn to Code on the Go

#22

Post by [deleted] » Wed, Jun 14, 2017, 6:09 PM UTC

indexzer0 wrote: post #19

nautilus12 wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Agreed

Yes, but I'm going to wager that y'all are programmers already. Seeing as that's likely who reads these. For people learning, they'd be less picky or even knowledgeable on such relations. I actually like the name. Besides, git means a disliked person and that's a thing. Words are created and shifted all the time. From what I can tell Py is already popular enough, it's the 4th hit for me on Google, that alone is reaso…

[deleted]

Re: Launch HN: Py (YC S17) – Learn to Code on the Go

#23

Post by cmrhode » Wed, Jun 14, 2017, 6:18 PM UTC

Cool on Android. Look forward to using this.

Re: Launch HN: Py (YC S17) – Learn to Code on the Go

#24

Post by taylorcooney » Wed, Jun 14, 2017, 6:43 PM UTC

Hoshea wrote: post #18

derektlo wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Actually, we've found the name Py doesn't confuse users. Most associate it with the number Pi, giving it an academic feel.

For what it's worth, I assumed this would be an app focused on teaching Python.

I second this

Re: Launch HN: Py (YC S17) – Learn to Code on the Go

#25

Post by codefined » Wed, Jun 14, 2017, 6:43 PM UTC

bpicolo wrote: post #14

mrstone wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Don't you think you're doing yourself a disservice by being difficult to search for?

They're the very first google result for "py" for me right now.

Not for me, not even on the first page; Py Music, PyPy, Python all come before it.

Re: Launch HN: Py (YC S17) – Learn to Code on the Go

#26

Post by inputcoffee » Wed, Jun 14, 2017, 7:03 PM UTC

zitterbewegung wrote: post #3

I really don't like the name. Since you expanded on your languages that you are going to teach it doesn't really make sense to use Py since nearly every Python project uses the phrase to say its in Python. Also, you are going to have people that are looking for PyPy and finding your App and getting confused.

Agreed. I would just like the OP but since you can't see the like count, it is valuable feedback to see how many people find the name confusing.

I also assumed it was python focused.

Re: Launch HN: Py (YC S17) – Learn to Code on the Go

#27

Post by inputcoffee » Wed, Jun 14, 2017, 7:05 PM UTC

I am very curious how you teach coding on a mobile platform. I mean there is so much typing in coding, and then you need to track a bunch of variables, see the output, and see the code, so that is a lot of screen real estate you need.

Re: Launch HN: Py (YC S17) – Learn to Code on the Go

#28

Post by tennien » Wed, Jun 14, 2017, 7:08 PM UTC

inputcoffee wrote: post #27

I am very curious how you teach coding on a mobile platform. I mean there is so much typing in coding, and then you need to track a bunch of variables, see the output, and see the code, so that is a lot of screen real estate you need.

Great question! The code is kept short, the output appears below the code, and we deal with typing by using a customized keyboard and letting you type in whole function names with a single tap. It's hard to explain without showing you the app :) Check it out.

Re: Launch HN: Py (YC S17) – Learn to Code on the Go

#29

Post by Dangeranger » Wed, Jun 14, 2017, 7:10 PM UTC

Have you considered employing a cognitive dissonance learning model similar to the techniques that Derek Muller wrote about in his thesis 'Designing Effective Multimedia for Physics Education'? [0]

Lorena Barba of George Washington University also discusses techniques related to effectively teaching complex topics through exercise rather than passive learning that you may find interesting. [1]

[0] http://sydney.edu.au/science/physics/pdfs/research/super/PhD...

[1] https://www.class-central.com/report/why-my-mooc-is-not-buil...

Re: Launch HN: Py (YC S17) – Learn to Code on the Go

#30

Post by tijs » Wed, Jun 14, 2017, 7:15 PM UTC

Just finished the swift course and it leaves me wanting more. I mostly like that I can do a few excercises while waiting for the train to arrive and then just pick it up the next day for a few minutes. Feels a bit like duolingo for learning. Unnoticed some humanities subjects in the store screenshots? Would be cool to do the same treatment for history or more high level concepts in programming like algorithms. Kudos so far!