Teaching with Python

At Wartburg College we have been using Python extensively in our curriculm since 1998. We have found it to be a near-ideal first language and a useful tool throughout the curriculum. You can find out all about Python at http://www.python.org. This page has links to some of my materials.

Python as a First Language

Paper presented at 13th Annual Midwest Computer Conference, March 1999. This position paper presents the case for Python in CS1 and CS2 courses.

Teaching Computer Science with Python

HTML version of a workshop I presented at SIGCSE 2004. sigcse-slides.pdf is a PDF file of the slides, and sigcse-handout.pdf is a handout with 4 slides per page.

Simple not Simplistic: Squeezing the most from CS1 with Python

HTML version of a talk I presented at CCSC Fall 2003. ccsc-slides.pdf is a PDF file of the slides, and ccsc-handout.pdf is a handout with 4 slides per page.

Python Programming: An Introduction to Computer Science

I have written an introductory CS textbook using Python. It is published by Franklin, Beedle & Associates. If you are interested in reviewing or adopting this textbook, contact Jim Leisy at FBA.

Here are some resources associated with the book.

Review Copy Review copies are available from the publisher Sample programs Browseable directory of sample programs code.zip Downloadable zip file of all program examples graphics.py The simple graphics module used in textbook examples graphics22.py Older (non-threaded) version of the graphics library. Use this one only if the version above causes problems in your environment. Graphics Reference (HTML) Browseable reference documentaion for the graphics package Graphics Reference (PDF) Downloadable/printable documentation for the graphics package

Related Links:

Python Language Homepage

John Zelle, Ph.D.

Wartburg College Department of Math/CS/Physics

Wartburg College