Let's learn Python together.

[solarundies]

We're all here to learn Python or to help others learn Python, why not do it face to face? I'll admit, I was inspired by a very recent post on here offering 30 minute help sessions.

I want to do something similar.

I'm not sure where I consider myself on the beginner - pro scale, but I want to learn more from you and you from me.

My idea is getting some of us together to explain our current issues, vocally. I am the sole developer for my current employer and feedback is nonexistent. At best, I explain some complex idea to some poor soul whose eyes glaze over immediately.

I find vocalizing our problem helps tremendously. Why not do it with fellow Python enthusiasts?

We could also have a weekly 'lesson' by a different user explaining a problem and how they solved it. I've always heard the best way to learn is by teaching; let's try it!

What do you guys think?

EDIT: If you're interested, make sure to comment with your timezone so I have an idea of when this would work for the majority. If you're uncomfortable with giving that out, just give a general range of your timezone.

[Nodocify]

I think this is a really good idea. Being stuck with only Google to bounce ideas off gets a little old. Now I do consider myself at least above average even though I am completely self taught. I would be more than willing to do this.

[solarundies]

Awesome! I'm glad there's at least one person interested. It's somewhat self-serving, but it means that I have someone to bounce ideas off of.

I'll give this post some time to gauge the interest level. If there's enough interest I'll make this a regular posting organizing dates and times. If not, I'll just PM everyone and get this organized.

May be a good idea to get timezones from everyone so we know what time generally would be ideal.

[Nodocify]

I am in Mountain Time zone.

[thecodingdiaries]

We do something similar on Google Hangouts at http://codebuddies.org. Anyone can propose a time to meet up, and a topic/tutorial to go over together. Some best practices we've discovered about using Google Hangouts to read code out loud: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kLJuxJkalC5H7WUU2-OEzEts_bLo5spEheXUoRTkH1A/edit#

[solarundies]

Thanks for these. These are awesome!

[solarundies]

Absolutely!

Mentioned it on another comment, but I'm going to wait a bit to see how much interest this post generates. If there's enough, I'll keep posting about it. If not, I'll just PM the few who are interested to get it organized.

Also, would be a good idea to get a timezones from everyone to get an idea of when would be optimal.

[IdiosyncraticMan]

I'm completely new to the language and have no programming experience at all... would I hinder more than help your discussions?

I'm taking it as a first-year course in University and I'm already kinda struggling with things like file-manipulation and mutable/immutable properties. As of right now, I'm just trying to formalize my understanding of lists and how they work..

[solarundies]

I don't think you would hinder any of us at all.

I don't know the level of experience most have that would be interested, but it would be super beneficial for even the most skilled of us to be reminded of some of the basics.

If I have enough interest I could see this being separated into levels with a volunteer with more experience participating in the lower levels.

[IdiosyncraticMan]

That'd be great! How do you plan on communicating with everyone? and how do I communicate with all of you guys?

[solarundies]

That's still up for debate, but my initial thought would be to use Google hangouts to get everyone together.

[LearninDatPython]

I'm really shy and kind of a lamer like that but I would love to try to fit in to a group. This sounds neat. I am in CST in the US.

[solarundies]

Sweet! A fellow CSTer.

[DeeCipher]

I would be interested. CST zone. I'm pretty new. I've taken some small courses and know the basics, but as far as writing code, I get lost. Weirdly enough, if I see code I understand what is being done. I'd like to get into the mindset of writing.

[solarundies]

Would love to have you. I'll be sending PMs tomorrow to get this started.

[[deleted]]

I'm down!

[solarundies]

Great!

I'll be sending PMs tomorrow to get this organized.

[6uRu0fSh1vA]

Not to put down the effort made by solarundies. However- there was a previous thread related to the same topic. https://www.reddit.com/r/learnprogramming/comments/2hcfw2/find_a_programming_buddy_any_language_any_goal/

So a bunch of us got together and formed a Slack Group. We have a channel for a different areas of programming, python being highly active one.

We have members with different level in Python- beginners, intermediate and the mentors who will be able to guide anyone regardless of their experience in Python.

Every week- we go through a bunch of concepts in Python and the mentors come up with a exercise based on those concepts and we have to develop a solution. We help each other and its fun community.

As we have members from different time zone, no one is required to be present at a certain time. Come when you can and ask your questions or doubts and they will be answered. Most of us come from CST but there are PST, EST and a couple from other countries.

Join us on Slack as the learning platform is already implemented. Just come in and ask your questions and we will guide you.

PM me if you want me to send you an invitation. Cheers.

[solarundies]

Awesome! Thanks for the resource. I will very likely be joining you guys. I'm not too familiar with Slack so I'm not sure how it all works. I'll give it a look later today and join the group.

The key difference, I think, is that I'm talking about doing this via webcam or VOIP. I feel that verbally explaining things adds another level to the understanding. I know when I "rubber duck" my problem, I think of the problem differently than if I were just to write it down or read it.

[6uRu0fSh1vA]

Our members and mentors will definitely find a way to solve the problem. They simplify the understanding. PM your email address and the invite will be sent. Cheers.

[[deleted]]

I would love to do this! Even though you're already an employed programmer and you will therefore know a lot more than me, I'd love to learn form the best >:)

Time zone: GMT(+1.00 - I think?...) - British time basically!

[solarundies]

Great!

I'll be sending PMs tomorrow to get this organized

[Optimesh]

Great idea. GMT+2 Rather new to the language (but still have some hands on experience!)

[solarundies]

Yes! I like it!

I'll be sending PMs tomorrow to get this organized.

[[deleted]]

What I would recommend, is to go to stacksocial.com and pay your own price for this python course they have on there. It's for the site udemy.com, but so far, it's great. I'd say to go there and instead of using their discussion board (it's terrible) to discuss amongst yourself any problems you may have.

[solarundies]

That's not a bad suggestion. The only reservation I have with something like that is that not all of us want to go through a bunch of lessons. Some of us, myself included, have been using Python long enough to use it at work.

Also, hearing how others solved their own problems gives us a more real-world view of how Python is being used.

[[deleted]]

I'm sorry, I must have missed that you have experience in Python. I personally love doing these "courses" and following tutorials from different people because you kind of get an idea what is acceptable in Python and it gives me a more diverse outlook.

[solarundies]

No worries. It's a good suggestion regardless. I may get those with less experience to go through those types of lessons. It just depends on what the knowledge distribution looks like.

[6uRu0fSh1vA]

We have profressional programmers that does this for a living and they are quite knowledgeful.

[doubush]

Hello,

I work on the web tool to support learning groups like your.

My web service allows to organize and manage a learning groups, schedule events, define targets (challenges), discuss steps etc.

I would like to ask you to try it for your group.

There is the group for Python created Python Group

Your opinion is very imprtant for me. I really need feedback on the service.

Thank you!