An Introduction to Interactive Programming in Python Part 1
Coursera
Course Summary
This two-part course is designed to be a fun introduction to the basics of programming in Python. Our main focus will be on building simple interactive games such as Pong, Blackjack and Asteroids.
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Course Description
This two-part course (part 2 is available here) 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 windows whose contents are graphical and respond to buttons, the keyboard and the mouse.The primary method for learning the course material will be to work through multiple "mini-projects" in Python. To make this class enjoyable, these projects will include building fun games such as Pong, Blackjack, and Asteroids. When you’ve finished our course, we can’t promise that you will be a professional programmer, but we think that you will learn a lot about programming in Python and have fun while you’re doing it.
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Course Syllabus
Our course syllabus can be seen at www.codeskulptor.org/coursera/interactivepython.html.
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Recommended Background
A knowledge of high school mathematics is required. While the class is designed for students with no prior programming experience, some beginning programmers have viewed the class as being fast-paced. For students interested in some light preparation prior to the start of class, we recommend a self-paced Python learning site such as codecademy.com
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Course Format
The first part of the course will last five weeks. The lectures from each week will focus on the topics listed in the syllabus while an associated weekly “mini- project” will serve to reinforce these concepts in practice. Grades for these mini-projects will be determined via peer-assessment. The class will also include two quizzes each week to provide further feedback.
1 Review
Reviewed by Mathew on 07 April 15This is my first course with coursera and I was fascinated by the way how top universities teach. Though I had some understanding of programming concepts like C, C++ and object oriented programming, learning python was not so tough. The instructor made things simple and the sessions were interactive. I thoroughly enjoyed this distance learning course.