Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/interactive-python-1
### Course Review: An Introduction to Interactive Programming in Python (Part 1) #### Overview If you are someone who is curious about programming but feels daunted by its complexities, Coursera’s “An Introduction to Interactive Programming in Python (Part 1)” might be the perfect stepping stone for you. This two-part course is meticulously designed for individuals with little to no computing background. It leverages Python—one of the most user-friendly programming languages available—making it an ideal choice for beginners. The course utilizes a new browser-based programming environment that simplifies the process of developing interactive applications, enabling students to grasp fundamental concepts without the common intimidations of coding. #### Course Structure and Syllabus The course is structured into five weeks, each dedicated to building essential skills progressively: - **Week 0 - Statements, Expressions, Variables**: This introductory week sets the foundation. You will explore Python as a calculator, allowing you to familiarize yourself with the structure of the course and understand basic programming concepts such as statements and variables. - **Week 1 - Functions, Logic, Conditionals**: This week dives deeper into Python's constructs. You will learn about functions and logical operations, culminating in creating a variant of the classic game Rock-Paper-Scissors. This hands-on project solidifies your understanding of how to structure a program effectively. - **Week 2 - Event-Driven Programming, Local/Global Variables**: Event-driven programming is key to creating interactive applications, and this week introduces you to this vital concept. You will also learn to distinguish between local and global variables while building an engaging guessing game that showcases your skills in a fun, interactive manner. - **Week 3 - Canvas, Drawing, Timers**: In this week, you will be introduced to graphical programming by creating a canvas. You will master rendering graphics and implementing functionality like timers, as you build your own digital stopwatch—a practical application that reinforces your learning. - **Week 4 - Lists, Keyboard Input, Basics of Motion Modeling**: This week covers more advanced concepts like lists and motion modeling. You'll apply your skills to recreate the classic arcade game "Pong," a project that beautifully combines previous knowledge into a fun, playable game. #### Recommendations Whether you're a complete novice or someone looking to refresh your programming skills, “An Introduction to Interactive Programming in Python (Part 1)” offers a versatile curriculum that balances theory and practical application. The hands-on projects are particularly engaging and allow for a better grasp of concepts as you see the real-world implications of what you learn. The course is also well-paced, with ample resources and a supportive community where learners can engage and ask for help when needed. Moreover, the use of a browser-based environment means you won’t need to worry about setting up a local development environment, making this course even more accessible. #### Conclusion In conclusion, if you are looking for a structured, engaging, and approachable introduction to programming, “An Introduction to Interactive Programming in Python (Part 1)” on Coursera is highly recommended. It not only equips you with essential programming skills but also ignites a passion for creating interactive applications. Dive in, and start your journey in the world of programming with Python!
Week 0 - Statements, expressions, variables
Understand the structure of this class, explore Python as a calculator
Week 1 - Functions, logic, conditionalsLearn the basic constructs of Python programming, create a program that plays a variant of Rock-Paper-Scissors
Week 2 - Event-driven programming, local/global variablesLearn the basics of event-driven programming, understand difference between local and global variables, create an interactive program that plays a simple guessing game
Week 3 - Canvas, drawing, timersCreate a canvas in Python, learn how to draw on the canvas, create a digital stopwatch
Week 4 - Lists, keyboard input, the basics of modeling motionLearn the basics of lists in Python, model moving objects in Python, recreate the classic arcade game "Pong"
This two-part course is designed to help students with very little or no computing background learn the basics of building simple interactive applications. Our language of choice, Python, is an easy-to learn, high-level computer language that is used in many of the computational courses offered on Coursera. To make learning Python easy, we have developed a new browser-based programming environment that makes developing interactive applications in Python simple. These applications will involve wi
This was a fun and convenient course, and it was a great start to learning programming for me. There must have been lots of thought and talent put into it to make it that way.\n\nThank you!
Great start course! The learning curve gets a bit steep for people with no prior knowledge after the first few weeks, but the teachers keep the class interesting and the exercises are great practice.
Best teachers ever! Content is suitable for both beginners and those who already have some experience in coding. I really enjoyed the lectures as well as the programming assignments.
I am not particularly new to python, but I am new to interactive programming. The material and the projects were relevant and interesting and thought it was a great introductory course.
Each sections has many examples that can help student easy to understand then practice immediately. I'm happy to know a new language and improved my coding knowledge after completing this course