[Year 12 SofDev] Python Resources For Senior Classes

[John Weedon]

Hello Jack,
There are a few good textbooks suitable for senior secondary students.
I started with Michael Dawson's 'Python Programming for the absolute 
beginner'. It's a good intro. to basic programming but doesn't teach 
'problem solving' as well as John Zelle's text 'Python Programming: An 
introduction to Computer Science'. The title of Zelle's book may sound 
too heavy for 16 & 17 year old but Zelle's introduces the whole process 
of problem solving and Python syntax in a series of easy to read worked 
example. He uses multiple choice question, True/False questions, 
practical discussion issues and then well graded problems for coding 
related straight back to the textbook at the end of each chapter. The 
text comes with a CD with all worked examples.

I've looked closely at the Nutshell text but found Zelle's book much better.

The Python Challenge run by Sydney Uni. is well worth involving your 
students. James Curran is the bloke in charge. The teaching resources 
provided by the uni. are very good and it's free. You get a certificate 
for the students if you pay the $11 registration fee per student. If the 
student pay the fee they feel a much higher commitment to the 5-week 
challenge. It's graded for students of differing abilities. Sydney uni. 
run a mid-year teacher inservice course (4-days) for introductory and 
advanced teachers which is very good value.

You can get Zelle's book ISBN 1-887902-99-6 much cheaper on amazon.com 
than buying through local suppliers.

Hope this helps.
John Weedon
Maitland Christian School

Jack Matthews wrote:
> Hi
>
> I have been teaching PHP but have decided to teach Python next year as 
> I think it is a better programming language for beginners.
>
> Does anyone have some good Python resources they could send me.  
> Things like Small programming tasks, assignments, tutorials, websites, 
> Moodle courses etc.
>
> I ordered Python in a Nutshell and will start reading soon (I thought 
> nutshell meant small but....no).
>
>
> Would be a big help.
> -Jack Matthews
>
> :: www.setschoolsfree.com
>
>
>
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