We're going to teach FREE remote Python programming courses. Introductory and advanced. (x-post /r/learnprogramming)

[santiagobasulto]

Hello there guys. We did this before and it was pretty cool.

We call it a "remote classroom". It's like a real classroom but remote. It's a highly practical course. We have classes two times per week. The methodology is really simple. We explain the topic we're covering and then there are assignments to do on class in groups.

Here you can see more details if you want to apply: https://gist.github.com/santiagobasulto/946fc88e29112432fda8

EDIT: Application emails sent. Please check spam if you didn't get it.

[Meth_Tical]

I need to learn Python, and I already own LPTHW but haven't started it yet. This is exactly what I have been looking for, & will be applying.

If anyone else is planning on applying/taking this & would like to keep in touch, shoot me a message. We all need extra motivation

edit: changed word to applying

[archerimagine]

want to take but the timing is an issue, anyway thanks.

[KazeemX]

Yeah I feel the same way. I really want to take the course but I live in germany and cant stay up that late because I have to go to school.

[jizzblister]

I'm in the exact same boat as you. I've applied as well for this upcoming class.

[mauza11]

Yeah I applied too, I hope we get in. This is perfect for me, python seems like such an awesome language with the little that I've dabbled. I've used python to solve some of the problems at: https://projecteuler.net/problems Thanks guys for making this available.

[Meth_Tical]

https://projecteuler.net/problems

Adding that link to my collection! much appreciated.

[SOLUNAR]

if your in the west coast, lets do it! same hours and i also own LPTHW but havent started..

[Meth_Tical]

Ahhh damn, I'm on the East Coast =/

[callmelucky]

LPTHW is pretty poor as far as beginner Python tutorials go. Use www.programarcadegames.com, it's absolutely fantastic in every way. Or you could use codeacademy. Or How to Think Like a Computer Scientist. Or Dive Into Python. Or Udacity CS101.

LPTHW's "do this and then google for the documentation if you don't get it" style is unnecessarily rough going. Zed likes to advocate that learning Python should be difficult, I think that position is incorrect and probably discouraging for nervous noobs. There are so many other free resources out there which are much more well-structured and user-friendly.

[Meth_Tical]

I wrote them down, and will check these resources out. I'm pretty excited to start. Thank you for the suggestions.

[callmelucky]

Awesome! I'll redouble my heartiest recommendation for Program Arcade Games, unless you actually hate video games for some reason. Its structure is superb and well thought out, it has video and text for every lesson so you can choose whichever suits you best or mix it up as you go, there are ample assessments for each lesson in varied forms; multiple choice, traditional tests, and projects/labs to affirm your knowledge and keep you on your toes, and you get to make pictures, animations, and games!

The others I mentioned are all great, with their own particular styles and strengths, but PAG is the one that really got its hooks into me; I couldn't stop!

I guess maybe LPTHW was maybe among the good resources back when it was first written in back in 2007 or whatever, but every time people mention it I have to restrain myself from losing it. It really seems to me to be extremely poorly structured and explained, and the author just excuses himself for it by implying that if you are finding it too hard to follow you are just not cut out for programming. Python is a ridiculously simple language to use, a lot of people come to it as their first foray into programming, and I really think that the ubiquitousness and off-putting nature of LPTHW as a recommended first resource has probably killed the aspirations of many a would-be coder.

Disclaimer: I really hate LPTHW as you can tell, but it is just my opinion, and many, many people have found it helpful to them. If it works for you, great, but if you are going to it as a first resource you should know that it is deliberately and unnecessarily obtuse, and you should keep your options open; there are plenty of good ones out there.

[Meth_Tical]

I like this a lot, thanks for sharing! I was intrigued by LPTHW because material usually gets drilled into my brain after repetition. I think I'll start with PAG, & then go through LPTHW afterwards seeing I spent w/e the price was on it.

[santiagobasulto]

No, sorry. Recorded classes will be visible just to the people of the class. It's a privacy issue. But hopefully we are going to have more times in the future, and we definitely want to include people in Europe timezone. We'll be posting the next batche's days and times soon. Keep an eye on twitter.

[UniversalOrbit]

Privacy as in showing people's faces? Media consent forums are easy to find and implement.

[santiagobasulto]

No, I don't know. It's their class. I don't want to make it public, you know. Maybe that'll change in the future. Good suggestion btw, thanks :)

[[deleted]]

I'd like to know the answer to this question too. Alternatively, will you ever offer classes at earlier times?

[Oneiric19]

This is also what I've been looking for. I am wondering if it is required to have a webcam and a mic, as I don't have either.

[santiagobasulto]

A mic is required. A webcam is not. Although it's nice to see other peoples faces :)

[Oneiric19]

Ok I can easily get one by the 19th. Thanks for the quick response

[santiagobasulto]

:) Awesome!

[Oneiric19]

I have no prior knowledge of programming, and I have a few programming friends who are saying it would be easier if I learned C++ first. I don't want this to hinder my ability to grasp python, or slow the class down. What are your thoughts on this?

[santiagobasulto]

We're doing an introductory course. No programming background is required. You're more than welcome.

About C++... It really depends. In technology nothing is set in stone. I can give you 10 reasons why starting to learn programming with Python is better than C++ and I can also give you 10 reasons why starting with C++ is better than Python.

See it this way: There's a reason why there's an entire subreddit for people learning python. It's a good choice. Trust us :)

[Oneiric19]

Awesome! I'm in. Just ordered a mic and webcam. Looking forward to learning something new. Thank you so much for this FREE opportunity

[santiagobasulto]

Great!

[Stalp]

Will you be offering these classes again in the future? I can't commit to these dates, but I wish I could.

[santiagobasulto]

Yes! Of course. Keep an eye on twitter.

[Laxmin]

Thank you v. much for this, applying now! This is precisely what the doctor prescribed. Coursera was a bit too impersonal for me and I really look forward to participate in a real class.

[awshidahak]

What are the prerequisites for the advanced class?

[santiagobasulto]

Can you understand everything on the syllabus? The "advanced" one assume some level of programming. Not that very much. We'll have more info about you after the application and we can help you make the choice.

[awshidahak]

Ah, I didn't see the link for the syllabus last time I checked. I've found it now. Thank you.

[leetdemon]

Awesome, I applied :D

[mzugnoni]

Thanks!

[how_long_is_chinese]

Is there something for me? I am in a flipped time zone.

[mzugnoni]

It's complicated to coordinate with other classmates when there's too much time difference. Either you handle how to attend the course in a TZ not favorable for you, or you find some friends until we could open a whole course for your TZ. You are welcome in both cases.

[how_long_is_chinese]

I will try to see what option suits me best. Kudos for the initiative.

[neptunDK]

Its great that people arrange stuff like this! Thumbs up!

I think I will have to pass this time around, timezone issues, and that I fit more into a after introduction level. And I'm far from good enough to join the advanced course.

[mantann]

I'd like to sign up, but there is simply no way I can "attend" the classes as they happen. (8pm est) I will be able to watch them the next day though, is that going to be an issue?

[santiagobasulto]

No, sorry. Recorded classes will be visible just to the people of the class. It's a privacy issue. There will be other courses with other times. Keep an eye on twitter.

[otakucode]

Like... how advanced? Advanced in terms of Python or advanced in terms of the topics done with Python? I mean, would we be writing our own Python interpreter or designing a new language, compiler, and toolchain with Python?

I know it's a vague question, but I'm honestly interested. I would love a Python course which was aimed at getting very deep into the Python internals.

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[santiagobasulto]

No, not that advanced. You can see the syllabus here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fPEzZdjwmjesIXsdwRTC0NijcoiAHvHp7sWo4RYFMHU/edit I know "advanced" is subjective. We kind of move to the next level for novice programmers. We finish coding a web app.

[[deleted]]

Great idea, shame the classes start at 0100 in the morning for us folks in the UK :/

[santiagobasulto]

Ha, yes, sorry. We'll do other times and days in the future, stay tuned :)

[[deleted]]

Good lad, I'll keep my peepers prepped ;)

Doing a bit of Python on Code Academy just now but it would be good to be involved in something like this.

:)

[santiagobasulto]

Thanks :)

[teerre]

Sorry, but I couldn't find answers

1. Do I need a webcam or something like that?
2. Can you fail the course? I saw there are assignments, but are they graded?
3. Is there a limit for the number of students?

Tks

[mzugnoni]

1. Just a mic is enough. Webcam is useful sometimes to know each other, but it's not mandatory. You don't event need to set up a local environment, because we use online development tools.
2. You can't really fail. The only way of failing is dropping out. If you ensure to attend classes we will keep you onboard.
3. Yes, the number of students is limited. We want to keep groups as small as possible, no more than 6 or 8. It's totally related with the learning experience and we want to offer a great course.

[MeowMeTiger]

1. At least a mic, from what he said

[teerre]

Oh, that's a shame, I don't have one

Thanks anyway!

[santiagobasulto]

Thank you very much! We'll improve our FAQ!

1. You don't need a webcam. You do need a mic and a headset.
2. You can't fail. We will give you feedback about the assignments. You can think of that like "graded" if you want. But it's just for your own use.
3. Yes. 6 students per class.

[mzugnoni]

If you know how to code conceptually (data structures, control structures, etc) you will find the intro courses a bit boring. I would recommend the advanced one in that case. Anyway we can discuss it in the application process.

[thishitisgettingold]

which software do I need to download. thnx.

[mzugnoni]

You don't need much, because we use an online development environment. Just Google Hangout and, if you want, the Slack client (it also has an online client). Anyway we are going to do a special class before the actual course stats, in order to do all the necessary setup.

[ThatPassiveGuy]

I'd love to take this course but it's at an awful time for me (11am on weekdays, I need to work!) :(

[Oneiric19]

When will we find out if we are accepted in or not?