[Edu-sig] An outline I'm using

[Douglas S. Blank]

Here's another data point: robotics. We've just released our version 1.0=20
of Python Robotics (see http://emergent.brynmawr.edu/wiki/index.cgi/Pyro=20
). I wasn't sure if Python would be fast enough to do "real" robotics,=20
but after building and testing, we found that we can get 10,000 updates=20
a second without OpenGL and 1,000 updates a second with it. Basically,=20
that's too fast as the hardware can't respond that quickly. Of course,=20
as we add more functionality (vision, neural networks, etc) it does slow=20
down a bit :)

But Python isn't just another language to do robotics: it has serious=20
consequences for allowing us to teach upper level artificial=20
intelligence and cognitive science courses (for example) to non-computer=20
science (and cs) students. We're designing a new computer science=20
curriculum around these ideas. We also do all of our real research with=20
these Python tools as well. The flexibility that Python provides allows=20
us to try things we would have never dreamed using just C++.

Here's a paper on the Python Robotics project:

Blank, D., Meeden, L., and Kumar, D. (2003). Python robotics: An=20
Environment for Exploring Robotics Beyond LEGOs. ACM Special Interest=20
Group: Computer Science Education Conference, Reno, NV (SIGCSE 2003).=20
Preprint: http://dangermouse.brynmawr.edu/papers/sigcse-03.pdf

and one of the curriculum design ideas:

Blank, D. and Kumar, D. (2002). Patterns of Curriculum Design.=20
Proceedings of Informatics Curricula, Teaching Methods and best practice=20
(ICTEM), Florian=F3polis, SC Brazil.=20
http://dangermouse.brynmawr.edu/papers/BlankKumar.ps

(it doesn't mention Python explicitly, but it is the facilitator=20
supporting these motivations).

If you want to share your presentation when you get it finished, it=20
would be a nice resource to have available.

-Doug

Kirby Urner wrote:
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> Here's an outline I'm using to help prepare for a talk I'm giving on
> Python in Education in July of this year at OSCON (Open Source Conferen=
ce),
> which is here in Portland, Oregon this time.
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> I'll be using PowerPoint of course, as well as Python in GUI shells
> (e.g. IDLE and PyCrust, maybe PythonCard if I can learn it in time).
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> The outline below doesn't actually map out my talk -- it's more for
> background, to guide my information gathering.
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> In the actual presentation, I'll have more focus on some specific uses =
of
> Python (e.g. Python + Povray).  Of course I'll have some screen shots
> (e.g. from PyGeo) to show what kinds of stuff goes on out there.
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> Kirby
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> =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
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> Status Quo
>   Graphing Calculators
>   What languages now used?
>      Java, C, Scheme...?
>   Where is Python used?
>      Current uses of Python
>         Add-ons and Bindings (e.g. NumPy, Blender...)
>      Currently available publications/resources (inventory)
>         (especially those used/usable in school setting)
>   History:  CP4E initiative (DARPA etc.)
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> Trends
>   Laptops/PDAs
>   Classroom configuration & technology
>   Homeschooler demographics
>   Teacher training (trends in)
>   Projected uses of Python
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> Curriculum Needs
>   What's needed?
>      More information about status quo + trends
>      More lesson plans for hands-on Python
>         K-12  (middle, high), homeschool
>         College/Junior College/Adult Education
>   Programming in different subject areas
>      Computer science (college level)
>      Programming as high school elective (AP comp sci)
>      Science/Engineering and programming
>      Math through Programming
>          expanding "numeracy" to mean more familiarity
>          with programming (promising door: cryptography)
>      Art:  programming and visual arts
>          (e.g. povray, animation), music etc.
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>   Role of the web? (as source of curriculum)
>   Problem of cheating (solutions?)
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> Showcase Phase
>   Web sites
>   Applications/modules
>   Public presentations / talks
>   Published Articles
>   Success Stories
>   "Learn From" Stories
>   CDs?  DVDs?  Books?
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> _______________________________________________
> Edu-sig mailing list
> Edu-sig@python.org
> http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/edu-sig
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--=20
Douglas S. Blank,         Assistant Professor
dblank@brynmawr.edu,            (610)526-6501
Bryn Mawr College,   Computer Science Program
101 North Merion Ave,       Park Science Bld.
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010  dangermouse.brynmawr.edu