Episode 28: 10 Things We Wish We Knew

Has it already been a year of learning and teaching Python for Kelly and Sean? In this episode, our co-hosts talk about the things they wish they knew a year ago to make their Python journey even better.

10 Things We Wish We Knew Before We Started Python

1. Don't Be Afraid of the Unknown


2. There's Never Going to be Enough Time


3. Reading Error Codes


4. Simple and Slow beats Complex and "Correct"


5. Read a little. Code a lot.


6. Projects Really Work


7. You Have to Teach To Someone


8. Reach out to the Python Community


9. Don’t Let Imposter Syndrome Get You


10. You Don’t Have to Answer Every Question

Support Teaching Python

Links:

• Teaching and Learning with Jupyter — This handbook is for any educator teaching a topic that includes data analysis or computation in order to support learning. It is not just for educators teaching courses in engineering or science, but also data journalism, business and quantitative economics, data-based decision sciences and policy, quantitative health sciences, and digital humanities. It aims to provide an entry point, and a broad overview of Jupyter in education. Whether you are already using Jupyter to teach, you have found learning materials built on Jupyter that piqued your curiosity, or have never heard of Jupyter, the material in this open book can empower you to use this technology in your teaching.
• CodeGrades — CodeGrades are eight cumulative steps for learning how to code. They're a programming version of time-proven techniques like music grades, belts in martial arts or lifeguard certification. Level up by applying the knowledge and skills needed for each grade to your own fun, interesting and challenging coding projects.
• Welcome to #ElectronicHalloween 2019…Muah Ha Ha!! « Adafruit Industries – Makers, hackers, artists, designers and engineers! — It is no secret that we love Halloween at Adafruit. What better time to show off your awesome wearable project or set up a super spooky yard display? Because we can’t hold our excitement to one day, we celebrate #ElectronicHolloween for the whole month of October.
• Amazon.com: DJI RoboMaster S1 Intelligent Educational Robot STEM with Programmable Modules Starters Bundle: Electronics — The S1 seamlessly combines competitive gameplay with and math and physics knowledge to make learning more fun than ever! Enjoy a wealth of teaching resources, practical knowledge, which can be applied during competition.
• Amazon.com: Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World eBook: David J. Epstein: Kindle Store — Plenty of experts argue that anyone who wants to develop a skill, play an instrument, or lead their field should start early, focus intensely, and rack up as many hours of deliberate practice as possible. If you dabble or delay, you’ll never catch up to the people who got a head start. But a closer look at research on the world’s top performers, from professional athletes to Nobel laureates, shows that early specialization is the exception, not the rule.
• Test & Code 89: Improving Programming Education - Nicholas Tollervey — Nicholas Tollervey is working toward better ways of teaching programming. His projects include the Mu Editor, PyperCard, and CodeGrades. Many of us talk about problems with software education. Nicholas is doing something about it.
• PyperCard - Easy GUIs for All — PyperCard 0.0.1-alpha.4 documentation — PyperCard is a HyperCard inspired Pythonic GUI framework for beginner programmers.

  What does that mean?

  PyperCard makes it quick and easy to create software with a modern user interface to use on your Windows, OSX, Linux, Android or iOS devices.

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