Hi, Unfortunately, family commitments keep me away from the Python Ireland meet-ups during the week. :-(
[If it wasn't for my kids, I'd never get out]. That said, I'm very much interested in usage of Python within the 3rd level setting and would like to contribute to the conversation. I teach Python to 3rd level undergrads at IT Carlow, mainly to two groups. The first group is 3rd year Computer Games Development students on their "Web Development and Databases" module. These students have spent 2 years learning ASM, C, C++ and C#... Python comes as a refreshing change. :-) I also cover Python in the 4th year of the Software Development/Engineering degree where (again) it is used within a Web Development setting as well as a vehicle to cover other assorted technologies. Some of these students have used "similar" such technologies before (mainly PHP), and have a mix of languages in their background... C, C++, Java, C#, and so on. Among other materials, I use my latest book (Head First Python, http://oreilly.com/catalog/9781449382674/) with both of these class groups. The University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada (http://web.cs.toronto.edu/Page4.aspx) uses this book from the Pragmatic Programmers (http://pragprog.com/titles/gwpy/practical-programming) as an introductory undergraduate text book. Some of the authors of the book also teach at the University. It's a general introduction to computing science and uses Python for its code examples. The University of Advancing Technology, Tempe, Arizona, USA (http://www.uat.edu/majors/default.aspx) uses my other O'Reilly book (Head First Programming, http://oreilly.com/catalog/9780596802387) with *all* of the undergraduate IT courses (currently 9 separate class groupings). Python is used as the "first language" with these students, making HF Programming a perfect fit. The staff there are great supporters of Python at 3rd level. Obviously, I believe Python to be an especially good fit at 3rd level. I've taught Perl, Ruby and (now) Python within this setting, and Python is by far the easiest to work with (this is my 2nd year covering it in detail). Student reaction to it is always very positive and encouraging. (I've been teaching scripting languages to undergrads for over a decade). I hear the same moan every year: "Why weren't we shown this in 1st year?!?!". Most of my co-workers think I'm quite mad... and they then struggle to teach Java (and its like) to 1st years, while constantly wondering why doing so turns over 50% of 1st years off programming for life... so figure! Regards. Paul. On 7 January 2011 21:08, Julie Pichon <[email protected]> wrote: > Hi folks, > > I remember hearing during one of the meet-ups last year that there was > sort of a workgroup or people-interested-in-the-topic of Python in > Universities and in third level education in general. Is this still > going on or currently on stand-by? What were/are the general thoughts > and ideas on the topic, is there any place where I can find more > information? Anyone involved in this that I can talk with at the > meet-up on Wednesday? :) > > Thanks & happy new year, > > Julie > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Python Ireland" group. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > [email protected]. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/pythonireland?hl=en. > > -- Paul Barry, w: http://paulbarry.itcarlow.ie, e: [email protected] Lecturer, Computer Networking: Institute of Technology, Carlow, Ireland. (More at: http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/au/3677) -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Python Ireland" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/pythonireland?hl=en.
