[Edu-sig] Python MOOC (massive open online course)

[kirby urner]

On Wed, Mar 6, 2013 at 7:56 AM, John Posner <jjposner at optimum.net> wrote:
At the nytimes.com site, I came across a reference to this Python course
in the comments to Thomas Friedman's latest column:

http://blog.topfreeclasses.com/2012/12/an-introduction-to-interactive-python.html

Does anyone have any direct knowledge of this (or any other) Python MOOC?

-John

===

My friend David Feinstein, a Cal Tech trained applied mathematician of
considerable talent, recently did Coursera's Python and had many positive
things to say about it.  If you know David, you know he does not give
praise easily or lightly.  He's usually critical.  He has high standards.

He appreciated the learning curve, and it probably helps a lot that he's
come to respect Python-the-language.  He liked how commenting on other
students' work is a part of what it takes to advance with one's cohort and
officially complete the course, with a ranking (percent score).

David's motive is he has some interesting software that helps judges reach
consensus on a ranking of projects (think of science fairs), even where no
judge will have directly seen or assessed all the projects.  By projecting
various summary visuals, judges caucus (negotiate) and play "what if"
games.  I hope to introduce him to Edd Dumbhill of O'Reilly as some of this
thinking might help with our OSCON talk judging/scoring process.

I have not personally had time to do a MOOC.  My job is to teach Python
using distance education infrastructure, but our offering has a cost and a
different set of criteria, so would not fit the category "MOOC".  Many
models of service delivery are out there.

Kirby
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