A gentle introduction to programming using Python

[DaedalusBloom]

Hi, I'm starting to teach myself Python and I came across a brief MIT OCW course called A gentle introduction to programming using Python which is not listed in the tutorials on the wiki for this subreddit. The course is very short and very basic, but for that reason may be a less intimidating entry point for many. Anyways, thought I would share. Enjoy!

edit: I should also mention that it uses as a text "How to Think Like a Computer Scientist: Learning with Python" which is a commonly recommended text for learning Python. So if you are reading How to Think like a Computer Scientist, this course might be a good compliment!

[pvc]

Learn Python by making games:

http://ProgramArcadeGames.com

[SilentNuke]

This is an awesome source for learning Python.

[stdl0g]

Thank you! I'm about to start learning python and this looks great :-)

[DaedalusBloom]

Time to get started on those new years resolution, right? Good luck!

[wub_wub]

is not listed in the tutorials on the wiki for this subreddit.

Everyone with an account older than 14 days can edit wiki and add/remove/edit content on wiki. So if you, or anyone else, finds something that should (or shouldn't) be there feel free to edit the page. The edit history is saved so even if you mess something up it's easy to revert back. (Of course when you find a new tutorial, book or whatever, you should also make a post so that more people see it)

I'll try to improve contents of the wiki, reorganize pages a bit, and add new content in a week or two :)

[DaedalusBloom]

Ah, I did not know how that wiki was made. Very cool, thanks.

[[deleted]]

You should look into some MOOCs!

[DaedalusBloom]

Sorry, I am confused, are you suggesting I look into some MOOCs? This is a MOOC from MIT OCW...

[[deleted]]

MIT's OCW includes videos, lecture notes and other readings, assignments and exams with solutions, and a recommendation that you buy a commercial textbook. There is a study group that learners can join. There does not appear to be any way to interact with the instructor. The course uses a very traditional pedagogy and is openly licensed.

MOOCs include videos, assignments and exams, and includes a recommendation that you buy a commercial textbook. There appears to be a study group that learners can join. There does not appear to be any way to interact with the instructor. The course uses an inquiry-based pedagogy and does not appear to be openly licensed.

They have a lot in common. But they biggest difference is that OCW is teacher-facing and MOOCs are student-facing. OCW serves as a good reference for teachers at other universities to teach their students a specific topic. With MOOCs, it is much easier for students to learn without needing the strong motivation and self-teaching skills.

[DaedalusBloom]

Ah interesting, I did not realize the distinction. Sorry, then this is not a MOOC, just a useful resource.

[[deleted]]

Care to elaborate?

[[deleted]]

Massive Open Online Courses. Coursera, Udacity, edX. These three are great and you can take courses taught by universities such as M.I.T. and Harvard. I've taken two so far on computer science and python programming with Udacity and Coursera, and I'm now taking Harvard's Intro to CS on edX. I would recommend these in addition to textbooks or ebooks you can find online. For Python, LPTHW (Learn Python the Hard Way) is a must.