This course aims to introduce beginners to programming in Python, starting at square zero. By the end of this course, learners should not expect to be programming wizards; rather, they should expect to have a solid foundational understanding of how Python works to pursue further knowledge in more specific areas of programming, such as natural language processing, web development, or general programming.
Welcome to Python Foundations!
And if this is your first class on OpenClass, welcome to OpenClass!
This class aims to introduce learners with zero programming experience to the Python programming language.
To temper your expectations, you should not expect to be a programming wiz by the end of this class. That can take years of practice.
But, by the end of this class, you should expect to have a solid foundation of how Python works. With this knowledge, you should be well-prepared to pursue more specific areas of programming that are of interest to you, such as Natural Language Processing, data science, web development, or general programming.
Here's how the class will work
This class is comprised of six units:
- Python Basics
- Control Flow
- Types
- Iteration
- Object-Oriented Programming
- Modules
Each unit is comprised of lessons, quizzes, review assignments, and projects:
- Lessons are intended to be short and focused. This is where we will teach about a topic.
- Most lessons will be associated with a short, 3-question mastery quiz, that will unlock immediately upon going through the lesson. The purpose of these mastery quizzes is to make the lessons more engaging and allow you to assess your current understanding of the material. The difference between a mastery quiz and a normal quiz is that if you fall short of a certain mastery threshold, you will be given an opportunity to review feedback and change any of your answers for half points back.
- Each unit includes a cumulative review assignment to reinforce all of the concepts taught in the unit's lessons. These review assignments include both coding questions and free response questions, and aim to provide you with a low-stakes environment to master fundamental concepts.
- Most units conclude with a project to practice the concepts taught in the unit's lessons. These projects are optional and ungraded, but we highly recommend that you give them a try. After all, practice makes perfect!
While each later unit builds upon knowledge presented in earlier units, the first lesson of each unit is unlocked to start. While we recommend completing them in the order that we teach them, we also want this class to serve as a resource for learners with some experience in Python to expand their knowledge in any area of their choosing.
