EDU-SIG: Python in Education
Python continues to make inroads at all levels in education. As a first programming language, Python provides a lucid, interactive environment in which to explore procedural, functional and object oriented approaches to problem solving. Its high level data structures and clear syntax keep the forest in view through the trees.
Other, and oft times more difficult, languages become more accessible once these basics are mastered, while Python itself remains a valuable tool in more advanced professional and business applications. Because Python is both powerful by itself, and plays well with others (including with multiple operating systems) its relevance is not diminished as one's toolbox becomes more heterogenous and specialized.
Edu-sig provides an informal venue for comparing notes and discussing future possibilities for Python in education. Its origins trace to Guido van Rossum's pioneering Computer Programming for Everybody (CP4E), a grant proposal accepted by DARPA, and which provided a modicum of funding in 1999.
Membership includes, but is not limited to, educators using Python in their courses, independent developers, and authors of educational materials. Discussion focuses on Python use at all levels, from beginning to advanced applications.
Note that discussion of features for IDLE is typically best done in the IDLE-dev mailing list (see the IDLE home page).
Resources
Background materials
- pyBiblio
A new portal site for teachers using Python to teach computer science.
- Using Python in a High School Computer Science Program
Experiences with Python in the classroom, reported at the 8th International Python Conference. By Jeff Elkner. (See also an interview with Jeff by Frank Willison for O'Reilly.)
- Dr. John Zelle of Wartburg College advocates using Python as a first language, and provides a paper on that topic at his web site, along with a draft of his Python-based introductory computer science text book, to be published in 2004.
- TeachScheme!
A similar project using Scheme instead of Python; they have 5 years of experience doing similar things.
- Overcoming the prejudice
An essay by Kirby Urner about using Python in the math classroom.
Programming tutorials for non-programmers using Python
Software
- IDLE
An Integrated DeveLopment Environment, for Python in Python; it will be adapted to form the basis for early CP4E courses.
- Alice
A 3d virtual reality system that teaches 19-year olds without prior programming experience to write Python scripts to control interactive 3d experiences.
- CATBox
The Combinatorial Algorithm Toolbox is a commercial textbook with an algorithm collection to be published by Springer. CATBox uses Python.
- Gato
The Graph Animation Toolbox, an LGPL-ed graph animation toolbox. Gato is pure Python/Tkinter.
- PyGeo
Dynamic geometry software in the tradition of Texas Instruments' Cabri Geometry II(TM) and The Geometer's Sketchpad from Key Curriculum Press, but extended to 3D - written in Python using the VPython and NumPy extensions. By Arthur Siegel.
- PovTalk
a Natural Language based 3D scene generator. By Stacey Verner.
- VPython
an enhanced version of IDLE and real-time 3D output for novice programmers.
- Eduml
Educational Markup Language: a Zope Product (GPL) that allows teachers to quickly write non-trivial lessons and quizzes in standard languages (Python, SQL, Latex) on the fly through the web.
- KineticsKit
classes written in Python to simulate the behaviour of a 3D mass-spring-system.
- Do you have additions for this list? Write to urnerk@python.org.
SIG administrivia
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