[Edu-sig] Python for Teachers (last call)

[kirby urner]

Last chance to sign up for 'Python for Teachers', one of a few still
below 10 and therefore eligible for cancellation in the next couple of
days.

If you were thinking to join us, just haven't gotten around to
registering, today would be a good time.

About 'Python for Teachers':

Developed from my earlier 'Python Briefing', 'Python for Teachers' has
been presented in abbreviated form to our local PPUG (Portland Python
Users Group) [0], and to a gathering at Linus Pauling House, Dr. Mario
Livio joining us, author of the recently published 'Is God a
Mathematician?' [1]

After PPUG, Chris F. wrote:  "Thanks for the VPython talk at PDX
Python.  I realize you had to skim, but the content was really
interesting.  I wish I'd had teachers like you.  Good luck at PyCon."

Dr. Livio liked my use of Akbar font and had no problems re 4D vs. 4D
vs. 4D (one of the slides, very technical).

I'm doing another presentation of 'Python for Teachers' on March 17,
and will be submitting it to OS Bridge before deadline (what Portland
is doing instead of OSCON this year).

Then of course I'm on tap to actually teach the stuff (pythonic math)
in April, through Saturday Academy.

"Pythonic math" as I teach it comes equipped with a new kind of
spatial geometry -- with some connections to Wolfram's stuff (i.e.
cellular automata studies), even more to Bucky Fuller's (where my '4D'
comes from in 4Dsolutions.net -- the meme I was talking about with Dr.
Livio, and also the 'rbf' in rbf.py).[2]

A lot of the content is quite familiar however, just recast for 21st
century tools (beyond calculators, per last year's Chicago talk).[3]

A lot of the same content will be useful to adults, so one of the
questions we explore is how to adapt technical content for different
age groups and walks of life -- using audience-appropriate stories of
high mnemonic value is key.

Our problem though (and marketing challenge), is Pycon attracts
programmers, not math teachers.

I'm saying there's not a huge difference, once you consider "computer
language = machine logic" (per Iverson), and factor in XP (pair
programming etc.) i.e. everyone is a math teacher, especially in open
source communities that encourage sharing among peers.

The content is semi-numerical and algorithmic (per Knuth) and
legitimate fodder for K-12 mathematics curricula.

Why I target K-12, and *don't* call it "computer science", is spelled
out in detail on math-thinking-l this month.[4]  It's where most
analysts consider the pipeline to be broken, i.e. students turn away
from STEM subjects even before getting to college.  CS is an obscure
elective if offered at all, whereas math (what's broken) is considered
mandatory.

High school is the big turn off.  What shall we do about it?  In
Portland, we're coming up with some answers:

http://mathforum.org/kb/message.jspa?messageID=6626933&tstart=0 (SQL
with VPython etc.)

Most "schoolish math" teachers have either never heard of FOSS or
simply don't use it, and the stuff that they teach is controlled by
those with little to no computer skills, even in math and science.

"Bridging the Digital Divide" has become a battle cry to address this
situation, but just dumping affordable commodity hardware into the
schools doesn't address questions about curriculum. What shall we do
with this embarrassment of riches?

Anyway I knew from the top this wouldn't be an easy niche to fill (no
budget for a Flying Circus blimp), what with the Spanish Inquisition
and all that rot, what? <--- Monty Python voice.

Kirby
4D

[0]  http://coffeeshopsnet.blogspot.com/2009/02/glass-bead-game.html
(write up of meetup with Livio)
[1]  http://mail.python.org/pipermail/portland/2009-February/000625.html
(Michelle's write up of PPUG)
[2]  http://coffeeshopsnet.blogspot.com/2009/02/more-inside-story.html
(more re our battle for hearts and minds)
[3]  http://showmedo.com/videos/?author=1851
[4]  http://mail.geneseo.edu/pipermail/math-thinking-l/2009-February/001293.html

============

Me urging Dr. Chuck to sign up, a CS prof at U Mich I've been working
with for his O'Reilly book on the Google App Engine, which I'm also
promoting (consider this free advertising):

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: kirby urner <kirby.urner at gmail.com>
Date: Sat, Feb 28, 2009 at 6:28 AM
Subject: Re: Updated Version of the Documents
To: Dr. Chuck


Greetings sir,

Welcome back from South Africa, where I too have had many adventures.

You should register for the workshop if you haven't yet, March 26
afternoon.  We only have 7 signed up (not the only small group) and
there's talk of cutting those that don't reach 10 in the next couple
days.

Kirby

Cc: edu-sig (last chance to boost enrollment folks -- might have to
admit Pycon isn't the right venue for 'Python for Teachers').  I'll
put something else out on Chipy as well.  If you have a blog, and want
to promote, this is your chance.

On Sat, Feb 28, 2009 at 5:02 AM, csev <csev at umich.edu> wrote:
> Kirby,
>
> I am finally back from South Africa with a decent network connection.
>  Thanks for all of your help and comments.
>
> I will make sure that you get your book and compensation.  I don't know the
> mechanics or when it happens - but I will follow through to make sure it all
> happens.
>
> I will be seeing you at PyCon - what day is your workshop?
>
> /Chuck
>
> On Feb 23, 2009, at 5:30 PM, kirby urner wrote:
>
>> Thank you Dr. Chuck, it has been a pleasure working with you and I
>> enjoyed our correspondence.
>>
>> Please note the name credit in the source (home.py) in this Google App
>> Engine:  osgarden.appspot.com
>>
>> I was pleased to use PyFontify, un-Tk'd by Just van Rossum with a
>> repurposed py2html to get the colorized source on the fly, for
>> historic reasons if not because there aren't other more elegant
>> solutions (we've seen some at PPUG -- Portland's very active and
>> talented Python user group).
>>
>> As the token high school teacher looking for something to use in K-12,
>> I have to say you opened my eyes to a lot of esoteric history and
>> background I might not otherwise know, plus your making everything be
>> in terms of an httpRequest and httpResponse, with Python "between the
>> ears" was very compact, helped me in subsequent curriculum writing for
>> clients, including Providence (corporate training) and Matsu District
>> (Alaska footprints).
>>
>> Note that I also work with adult aged learners and I didn't see
>> anything that'd be a turn off for them, though in person I use more
>> colorful language than O'Reilly books do (per slides), and for the
>> same "Head First series" motives (i.e. mnemonics matter).  Probably
>> it's the same in your classes.
>>
>> For purposes of reimbursement my mailing address for O'Reilly Media is:
>>
>> 4D Solutions
>> 3745 SE Harrison St.
>> Portland, OR  97214
>>
>> I perhaps will run into you at Pycon?  My 'Python for Teachers'
>> (workshop) promises to be rather intimate.  We'll have the
>> internationally recognized Tizard professor from Kingston (I think it
>> is -- my colleague from last year), Steve Holden, chair of PSF (we
>> hung out last OSCON), and a few others.  We'd love to have the benefit
>> of your wisdom and insights.
>>
>> Thanks again for including me (with a name credit).  I take great
>> professional pleasure in getting to work with O'Reilly, one of the
>> most reputable publishers in the business.
>>
>> Sincerely,
>>
>> Kirby Urner
>> 4D
>>
>> "everyone is a car in 'Cars', even the bug on the windshield" -- KU to
>> Kathy Hyzy
>>
>> "everything is a python in Python" -- 4D mnemonic
>>
>> "__missing__ rib" -- Jason Kirtland (
>> http://discorporate.us/jek/talks/defaultdict/ )