Teaching python to non-programmers

[pete.bee.emm at gmail.com]

Don't underestimate the value of morale. Python is a scripting language. You don't need to teach them very much python to get something working, and you can always revisit the initial code and refactor it for better coding hygiene. 

Someday they might have jobs, and be required to learn things in more of a top down order. ;)

On Thursday, April 10, 2014 8:54:48 AM UTC-7, Lalitha Prasad K wrote:
> Dear List
> 
> Recently I was requested to teach python to a group of students of GIS (Geographic Information Systems). Their knowledge of programming is zero. The objective is to enable them to write plug-ins for GIS software like QGIS and ArcGIS. It would require them to learn, besides core python, PyQt, QtDesigner. So my plan is to teach them core python, PyQt, Qt Designer, in that order. A kind of "bottom up approach". But the students seem to feel that I should use "top down approach". That is, show them how to write a plug-in, then PyQt and Qt Designer and then enough of python so they can handle the above. I don't think, that is possible or a good idea. But I would like to know, if there are any other approaches.
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> Thanks and Regards
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> Lalitha Prasad,