CourseraPythonFree courseBeginner levelCertificate

An Introduction to Interactive Programming in Python

This two-part certification course is designed to help students with very little or no computing background learn the basics of building simple interactive applications. Part 1 of this class will culminate in building a version of the classic arcade game "Pong".

4.9

554 reviews

Created by: John Greiner

Produced in 2013

What you will learn

Statements, expressions and variables.
Functions, logic and conditionals.
Event-driven programming.
Canvas, drawing and timers.
Lists, inputs and the basics of modeling motion.

Quality Score

Content Quality

Video Quality

Qualified Instructor

Course Pace

Course Depth & Coverage

Overall Score : 98 / 100

Course Description

This two-part course is designed to help students with very little or no computing background learn the basics of building simple interactive applications. Our language of choice, Python, is an easy-to learn, high-level computer language that is used in many of the computational courses offered on Coursera. To make learning Python easy, we have developed a new browser-based programming environment that makes developing interactive applications in Python simple. These applications will involve windows whose contents are graphical and respond to buttons, the keyboard and the mouse.

Beginner Level

Time: 6h 40m

Pros

Cons

- Two-part split makes it much easier for beginners to break into Python programming.
- A total of 30 hours of course material creates a comprehensive learning experience.
- By focusing on building a game from the ground up, application of the course feels more intuitive and enjoyable than more theoretical teaching methods.
- Course focuses on peer grading, which can be inconsistent.
- Part 1 focuses more on programming in general than the deeper aspects of using Python specifically.
- Project-focused learning will not suit students who excel in theoretical environments.

Instructor Details

John Greiner

4.9 Rating
554 Reviews

John Greiner has been teaching Computer Science at Rice University since 1997. While focusing on introductory computer science, he has also taught many algorithms, theory, and systems courses. He is active in curricular development and policy as well as outreach to high school students. John earned a Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon University and a B.A. from Rice University.

Reviews

4.9

554 reviews in total

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By Rafa Bo on 4/25/2019

The exercises gradually build up in difficulty while allowing students to apply new concepts in a natural and gentle pace.

By Alla Barry on 4/25/2019

Every little detail of this course was designed to made the learning fun!! IF there is a thing such a best instructor's award, these instructors should have it!!

By Margaret Murphy on 4/25/2019

You can go from knowing nothing about Python to building some simple, fun games (in guided steps), including mini-projects to build simple versions of Pong, Blackjack, and Asteroids.

By Arseny Mikhalev on 4/25/2019

Totally recommended! You will learn not just basics of programming in Python but each time you create game or something, so you have real application of what you learn, not just theory.

By Raul Sebas on 4/25/2019

It's a new me after the course... as Scott Says, I kind of feel dangerous with Python now.

By Shannon Jacobs on 4/25/2019

Perhaps the MIT course has a broader foundation, but this Rice course created more interesting artifacts. The Python coverage was roughly similar.

By Dustin Helliwell on 4/25/2019

The class starts off with very approachable concepts that build a good foundation for the rest of the class. Any one who puts the time in and is willing to work hard will excel in this class.

By Amisha Bhanage on 4/25/2019

The clas was very well organized and flow was working well to learn concepts by videos, test your knowledge by quiz and then apply the newly learnt concepts with Mini Projects.

By Abhishek Srivastava on 4/25/2019

The content is fantastic, the teacher are awesome. Both Joe Warren, and Scott Rixner offer invaluable insight into event-driven programming using Python.

By Bryan Goette on 4/25/2019

The quizzes were tougher than I expected and if I didn't have the prior Python knowledge I could see the Mini-Projects taking longer than you'd expect.

By Manos Theodosis on 4/25/2019

The content is extremely stimulating. The videos are broken into manageable segments (never more than 15 straight minutes) and the quizzes actually require some testing to get them right.

By Peter Paaske Juul on 4/25/2019

I thought the course quite ambitious when I saw at first that I was expected to code an Asteroids clone after eight weeks, but it turned out to be quite possible.

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