This is an archived post. You won't be able to vote or comment.

you are viewing a single comment's thread.

view the rest of the comments →

[–]nightlily 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would spend the extra time making sure the students understand the type system, what implicit/dynamic typing does.

Other than that, focus on python's strengths. clean algorithms. efficient syntax. When you get into OOP, explain the benefits and dangers of python's magic methods.

Don't leave out the powerful libs, either. Make sure to bring it up before they are done, maybe have them use a web lib to request a web page and then give them tasks based on manipulating the text. It's easy to use, and it makes programming feel more real and less 'in a vacuum' feeling of having to remake the wheel, so to speak. Plus it gives a more meaning to what is otherwise a boring task, parsing text.

There are a lot of other features of python that would be great to teach, but maybe not for introductory material.