Welcome to Intermediate Python Programming - Connected Data Edition an exciting 8 week course where we will learn how to connect data in python. Based on python you already know, strings, lists, dictionaries, and so on, we will connect to the internet, download real time data, send email and text messages, all using python! Every week we will work on another fun aspect of connecting python to live data and systems, and learn how to automate and design programs that talk to each other and make cool things happen. Each module will have an in-depth video explaining the concepts and working through building programs to solve the weekly challenge and examples of concepts. From getting started with python and working on new projects, we will build up the skills to make our own programs and learn new ways to connect with data using code. Weekly modules will cover different topics, and scaffold skills so we are able to build more complex programs and think of new ways to solve coding challenges . The course will focus on fun and interesting examples to help students understand concepts that can be applied elsewhere. Because this is a flex class, students will get detailed videos each week that cover the topic of the week. Students will have a weekly assignment at the end of each module, and are encouraged to share their code or discuss their successes and failures in the classroom. Learning from each other and discussing what works and what doesn't in an important part of programming, no one is perfect right away, and we have a lot to learn from each other as we try to collectively solve challenges. Students are also encourages to comment on each others code or approach to finding a solution. Students will be able to look at how the homework was solved, and will be provided with video feedback on their code. Feedback will be provided so learners can work on improving their coding as we work through the course and build the skills need to learn programming. Module 1: In this first module we look at how to connect to an API, talk about JSON, and grab data on who is in space, kittens, and memes. We explored dictionaries, lists, more dictionaries, and looked at data structures so we can figure out how to grab data and do something with it. Module 2: In module 2 we will explore connected data, build a new space program, and learn how to send text messages (SMS) from python using an API. We will build a connection between our program to receive data from one source and send it out to another. Module 3: In module 3 we will write code to identify IP addresses, build the space station location intercept program, the place and time of future ISS passes for a given location on earth, looking at a large structured data in a JSON API with the makeup API Module 4: In this module we take the ISS location API and connect it to a reverse geolocation API which gives us back the country (and lots of information) about where the ISS is over. We then use a country lookup API to get information about that country. In our second program, we built a real time streaming listening program to download tweets and store them in a database when they happen in real time. Module 5: In this module we take a slight turn and work on something new, our first game module. We will build a JSON file to use as our internal API to power the game using structured data that we assemble. This means that we can build a scaleable adventure game that is easy to expand using a framework in Python to power a complex game. Module 6: In this module, we will expand on the game from Module 5 with a new map, new options, and new types of data. We will integrate API data for the weather, work on some random chat for our computer character, and other connected data features on to our JSON game framework. Each additional module will have more connected data examples!
By the end of the course, students will learn about connected data using python with a focus on JSON, python dictionaries, connecting to data using APIs, and be able to create programs that interact with connected data. In addition, students will learn how to store and manipulate data, and build programs that respond to various conditions. By the end of the course, students should have a good idea of how to program in python with a focus on being able to solve practical problems using programming.
I love teaching programming using fun and interesting examples because it helps students go farther than learning hard to contextualize concepts. Understanding what we are doing and why means that students will be able to apply algebraic concepts (like x+y) having understood examples like (red bike + blue bike) in a way that has context and meaning.
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Hey, I was one of his students. I am here to write a review. He is quite...