Textbooks?

[Ben Allfree]

I also taught a programming course for beginners and used Python. Although 
there is no text book that is as good as the online resources, it forces
students to participate actively by getting involved with the actual tools
and community. And I think that is of great benefit.

Also, there are several texts that cover basic programming principals, and I
think it's a good exercise to let the students translate those into Python
requirements as they learn about the language. (i.e., what is a loop good
for...ok now go figure out how to write one in Python).


> -----Original Message-----
> From: python-list-admin at python.org [mailto:python-list-admin at python.org]
> On Behalf Of P Gentry
> Sent: Friday, May 02, 2003 11:37 AM
> To: python-list at python.org
> Subject: Re: Textbooks?
> 
> Steven Hodgen <steven at twitch.net> wrote in message
> news:<oproar1sjtx3zh5c at news.mindspring.com>...
> <snip>
> > However, Java is not a great language for beginners.  Python, on the
> other
> > hand, is ideal.  If I can find a textbook that is even ok, I may
> consider
> > changing, since the language is so much better for students at this
> level.
> > Doesn anyone know of a book like this?  Ideally, it would have examples
> and
> > excercises, and perhaps even a web-site with other instructor and
> student
> > resources.
> 
> <snipped my education vent -- you should thank me!>
> 
> If you need a pre-canned course-in-a-textbook I think you're SOL in
> regards to Python.  Then again, if your students have ready access to
> the web from your classroom, you have a wealth of resources to satisfy
> varied interests and abilities after the students get on their feet
> with Python.  And remember, almost by definition, all Python code is
> open source!  Some teachers are uncomfortable with this style of
> "teaching", but I have seen it work quite well, especially in classes
> with a wide range of student abilities.  What's really needed is a
> thorough class outline with materials, exercises, and tests to get new
> Python teachers off to a running start and a reassuring comfort level.
> 
> Any how, here's some links that may help in your decision.  And ask
> your current crop of students what they would have liked from the
> class.  I realize all too well how much work for you putting together
> a class will likely be if you choose to go with Python, but besides
> the language you would have one of the friendliest, most
> willing-to-help communities around!
> 
> Assume you've tracked down all the leads from here
> http://www.python.org/sigs/edu-sig/
> 
> This high school uses Zope and How To Think Like a Computer Scientist:
> Learning With Python (an iso CD image available) I've watched the site
> for several years and recommend it  -- this may be someone to contact
> http://www.isd197.org/sibley/cs/icp/
> 
> O'Reilly Network - Technologies used in schools and methods of
> learning or teaching a technology.
> http://www.onlamp.com/topics/python/education
> 
> Python in education
> http://users.ox.ac.uk/~sann1276/python/
> http://users.ox.ac.uk/~sann1276/python/handbook/
> 
> Who teaches Python?  especially good for enthusiastic help
> http://www.ibiblio.org/obp/pyBiblio/schools.php
> http://www.ibiblio.org/obp/pyBiblio/problems/  -- don't be put off by
> the dead links
> 
> Especially if you have Linux available in the classroom, most distros
> (and Red Hat in particular) include quite a few built-in examples of
> "real" Python code at work - not to mention the availability of Py-gui
> frontends that students can play with.  It takes real programming to
> put together even a catalog of mp3's that can be accessed with a gui.
> 
> Zope may be useful as an "advanced project" of the real world sort,
> and something the students can show off
> http://www.zope.org/
> 
> BitTorrent  an unlikely project resource that students may already be
> familiar with (written in Python!)
> http://bitconjurer.org/BitTorrent/
> 
> Algorithm Education in Python  another project resource?
> http://www.ece.uci.edu/~chou/py02/python.htmlVirtual Reality Utilities
> (2.5)
> http://www.recveb.ucsb.edu/vrut/tree/toc13910.htm
> 
> GFESuite Python Tutorial and Programming Guidelines  tutorial and
> project material
> http://www-md.fsl.noaa.gov/eft/rpp/doc/onlinehelp_RPP21/Python.html
> 
> Some other books to look at:
> Core Python Programming
> http://starship.python.net/crew/wesc/cpp/
> 
> Python lessons on line:
> http://www.DickBaldwin.com/
> 
> Learn to Program Using Python
> http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0201709384/102-7120074-
> 6023301?vi=glance
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