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Homeschool Spark/Introduction to Python Programming
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Introduction to Python Programming

Learn the building blocks of programming so you can easily learn any computer programming language!
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Programming Concepts

The concepts taught in this course help students thoroughly understand programming logic and will prepare them for advanced python concepts or further study in other programming languages.

Course Description

Would you like to learn computer programming, but you've been frustrated by courses or books that give you too much - or too little information - leaving you feeling hopelessly lost?

I've taught computer programming for many years and have found the most effective approach is to teach the tools one by one, giving exercises or assignments that allow students to practice each new concept until mastered. As the student learns, he or she gradually builds larger, more complex programs. While this may not be the most glamorous technique - it works! Students gain confidence as they truly understand how to use the programming tools.

Each assignment has an accompanying video that reviews my solution. The solution videos should be viewed after completing your assignment to the best of your ability.
A printable pdf checklist is included to chart your progress in the course.

In this course, you'll learn:
  • How to use a basic code editor (the free Wing IDE)
  • Variables, variable types, and conversions
  • Conditional statement (if, elif, else)
  • Boolean Logic
  • Repetition using for and while loops, nesting loops
  • Lists (similar to arrays in most other languages)
  • String processing
  • Random number generation
  • Functions
  • 15 programming assignments are given. For each assignment, there is a video showing my solution for that assignment.
  • The assignments are text-based (no graphics or gui). This keeps the focus on learning the language and programming logic, building a strong foundation for more advanced programming.

Contents

Section: 1 Introduction

1. Introduction to the Course, Course Checklist PDFs
Preview
2. Install Python and the Wing IDE on a Windows System
3. Install Python and the Wing IDE on a Mac
4. Using a Raspberry Pi Computer for the Python Course
5. Basic Instructions on Using the Wing Editor

Section: 2 Variables, Input, Types, and Type Conversions

6. Variables in Python
7. Getting Input From the User, Converting Variable Types

Section: 3 If Conditional Statements, Boolean Logic, Math Precedence

8. Introduction to the If Statement
9. Boolean Logic
10. Creating a Compound If Statement
11. Using Nested If Statements
12. Precedence of Math Operations
13. Boolean Operator Precedence

Section: 4 Lists and For Loops

14. Introduction to Python Lists
15. Creating a For Loop, the Wing Debugger
16. More For Loop Practice, Loops & Lists
17. Operations With Python Lists
18. Additional List Operations
19. Sorting and Reversing Lists
20. Nested For Loops

Section: 5 Random Numbers and Strings

21. How to Generate and Use Random Numbers
Preview
22. Manipulating Strings in Python

Section: 6 While Loops

23. How to Create a While Loop
24. Using a Boolean Variable to Control a While Loop
25. More on While Loops

Section: 7 Python Functions

26. Introduction to Python Functions
27. Passing Arguments to a Function
28. Returning Values From a Function
29. Using Functions With Named Arguments And Default Values
30. Modularizing Code With Functions
31. Dog-Human Age Calculator Assignment Given Using Functions
32. Variable Scope, Global And Local Variables
33. Rock, Paper, Scissors Assignment Given Using Functions

Section: 8 Tic Tac Toe: Text Based Example of Creating a Larger, More Complex Program

34. Tic Tac Toe Program Introduction and Overview
35. Tic Tac Toe Board Setup
36. Tic Tac Toe Player's Move
37. Tic Tac Toe Player Loop
38. Tic Tac Toe Computer's Move (Random Selection)
39. Tic Tac Toe: Check For a Win or a Tie
40. Tic Tac Toe: Improve The Computer’s Playing Logic (If Statements)
41. Tic Tac Toe: Improve The Computer’s Playing Logic by Testing For a Win
42. Tic Tac Toe Final

Section: 9 Programming Assignment Solutions and Explanations

43. Assignment 1 Solution: Variables, Input, and Print
44. Assignment 2 Solution: Simple If Statements
45. Assignment 3 Solution: If Statements With Boolean Operators
46. Assignment 4 Solution: Branching Story With If Statements
47. Assignment 5 Solution: Simple Math Calculator
48. Assignment 6 Solution: Intro to Lists
49. Assignment 7 Solution: Student Test Scores
50. Assignment 8 Solution: Madlib
51. Assignment 9 Solution: Players Scores
52. Assignment 10 Solution: Random Sentences
Preview
53. Assignment 11 Solution: Pig Latin
54. Assignment 12 Solution: Race/Contest Simulation
55. Assignment 13 Solution: Tip Calculator
56. Assignment 14 Solution: Dog-Human Age Calculator
57. Assignment 15 Solution: Rock, Paper, Scissors