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WHAT IS PYTHON?
WHAT IS PYTHON?
Overview and Teachers Notes
Overview and Teachers Notes
Course Length: Approximately 10 weeks.
AS92005- Develop a digital technologies outcome.
This course can be completed as a standalone course but it is follows through into the WebApplication unit to make a full year Software Engineering course.
Software requirements:
Any Web Browser (eg Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari)
Visual Studio Code: https://code.visualstudio.com/
Python: https://www.python.org/downloads/
Git: https://git-scm.com/downloads
Suggested Timetable:
Timetable
3 Weeks: Learning Python
3 Weeks: working through simple practise problems like Code WoF
2 Weeks: Practice Scaffolded Project
2 Weeks: Final Assessment
What is Python?
What is Python?
Python is a powerful and friendly programming language that lots of developers all over the world love to use. It's known for being easy to understand and write, and it's really useful.
It was created by Guido van Rossum in the late 1980s, and because it's open-source (which means anyone can use it and help make it better), there are lots of developers working on it. This has led to a big collection of tools and things you can use with Python.
Python is great for all sorts of things, like making websites, looking at data, creating artificial intelligence, and doing tasks automatically. Whether you're just starting to learn to code or you've been doing it for a while, Python is a good choice because it's clear and can handle both simple and complex projects.
Who, What, Why Python?
Who, What, Why Python?
Watch this video!
Task 1: Learn Python!
Task 1: Learn Python!
Teacher Notes:
Teacher Notes:
Grok is awesome and you can track your students progress by making a classroom in your teacher dashboard at https://groklearning.com/
Once you have set up your students you can see their progress and will be able to help the ones who are stuggling with individual tutorials or help on certain problems.
If students choose to use other options to learn Python like the Microsoft Videos, you'll need to keep a track of them in other ways. Teacher observations, screenshots, in class discussion, quick quizes or getting them to reflect on their learning should be enough.
Learn Python through Grok Academy
Learn Python through Grok Academy
This excellent resource is now free to all students and teachers in NZ.
Teachers: register here: https://groklearning.com/
Then set up your class and you can monitor their progress and help the ones who are falling behind.
Click the image to the left for the essential "NCEA Level 1 Python" course written specifically for NZ Kids to prepare them for the NCEA Level 1 programming assessment.
Students: Sign up and get your enrollment code for your teacher. Then start learning!
Task 2: Can you Read Python?
Task 2: Can you Read Python?
What's this about?
What's this about?
Most people learn to read a language before they learn how to write it correctly.
Python is no different.
In this quiz, try to trace through the program step by step in your head and work out what the answer is.
For some of the later questions, I highly recommend a pen and paper.
This skill is super important and if you have trouble, google it or go test the code and try to work out where you are missing some knowledge. Misconceptions about how and why code works the way it does is one of the main barriers students have in becoming great programmmers.
Good Luck!!
You will need a google account to view this quiz.
Make sure you are logged in to view it and have a go.
Task 3: Code For Humans
Task 3: Code For Humans
Task 3 | Code for Humans
Task 3 | Code for Humans
This video series will cover the important things you have to keep in mind when you write code for humans.
Code for Humans means code that is meant to be read by other humans (code comments, docstrings, good variable names etc) and code that is meant to be used by humans (error checking, good error messages, good instructions, crash proofing etc.)
You'll also walk through a simple example of a problem, similar to your assessment problems. In that, you will learn to write highly readable and unbreakable code that neatly handles input errors.
Students: Write the "Can I Vote" program together with the instructor and see if you can work out how and why it works.
Teachers: Feel free to have students submit their code for this checkpoint or just tick off completion of your students as you see fit.
Task 4: Checkpoint- Code for Humans
Task 4: Checkpoint- Code for Humans
Now that you've completed your Code for Humans tutorial you should be prepared to write better Python.
Make a copy of the document to the right and fill it out.
You'll need to copy and paste your code and answer a few questions about writing code for humans. Use the videos above to help you answer the questions.
Task 5: Learn CodeRunner
Task 5: Learn CodeRunner
CodeRunner
CodeRunner
Sign up for the course "Always On"
go to https://csse-ncea-auto.canterbury.ac.nz/
Create an account and self-enrol with the key "Welcome!"
There are a couple of courses,
Coderunner, the tool that you'll be assessed with. Don't forget to write and test your code on your computer BEFORE submitting
Some NCEA Style Question. These are samples of the type of question you can expect in your assessement. Only here you get maximum feedback and an unlimited number of attempts!
Extension
Extension
~~ Other great tutorials..... ~~
~~ Other great tutorials..... ~~
Optional: Learn Python From Scratch
Optional: Learn Python From Scratch
This is an easy to watch and follow along tutorial to learn Python. Mosh takes you from complete beginner to expert in an hour. Well worth watching if you have never programmed before. But it is an hour long!!
If you are struggling with understanding programming watch this for homework!!
Optional: Microsoft Python for Beginners
Optional: Microsoft Python for Beginners
Amazing series of short informative videos.
Code along as your host explain in detail everything that you need to get a really solid grasp of Python.
It is highly recommended to just do from video 1 to 32.
The info beyond that is great if you want to become a software engineer but not necessary for this level.
Extension: CodeWOF
Extension: CodeWOF
Teacher Notes
Teacher Notes
There is a video to get the students started. Watch it in class and then let them loose on CodeWOF.
This platform uses gamification and so students get "points" for completeing questions. You could make it a friendly competition and award the best scores with "house points" or "shout-outs" to keep the motivation levels high.
It really is a great platform and the variety and challenge is amazing and it's methodologies are all backed by computer science education research. It is highly recommended to run through as much of this as you have time for.
Code WOF
Code WOF
Practice your problem decomposition and puzzle solving skills in Python in the excellent site: CodeWOF.
CodeWOF goes from beginner to intermediate and is great programming practice. It has cool short puzzles to solve and immediate feedback.This short video will help you get started using CodeWOF.
From the basics of how it works and what the problem types are to more advanced topics around string slicing, functions and dictionaries.
Watch this to get you started on one of the best practice resources for Python Programmers in the world.
Extension exercises for super keen programmers
Extension exercises for super keen programmers
57 Fun (and Unique) Python Project Ideas for Beginners in 2023
This website is used as a recruitment tool for Google and Microsoft! Tackle some real brain-bending problems in Python and maybe even get on the global leaderboards.
The ultimate challenge for programmers.
The Home of competitive programming. Use the "Train" section to try out some of the questions from past NZ and international competitions.
Free to register and use programming courses at the University of Canterbury. We highly recommend the "Programming Contest Problem Archive"
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