I keep reading article after article and survey after survey, on how Python keeps growing in popularity as a programming language. So, why is that the case? And, should you learn Python?
Let’s start off with some of the reasons why Python is popular:
Python is easy to learn.
Python is used in a wide variety of applications.
Python is easy to program with, yet very powerful.
Python code can be written a few styles, including OOP and functionally.
Python has a HUGE set of libraries/modules that can be dropped into your Python programs, speeding up the development process.
A few comments:
Python’s core strength, is that it’s a general purpose language. As such, it is used in many different fields, such as: Ai and machine learning, server automation, web development, data sciences and more. This flexibility of use in the real-world, is a key reason why Python’s popularity keeps growing.
Should you learn Python?
Short answer: Yes. You have nothing to loose, and everything to gain learning Python. It’s a great first programming language, given Python code is so easy to read. Yet Python still can express pretty advanced programming concepts relatively easily.
… For those of you who don’t know how to code yet, many of the programming concepts and techniques you find in Python, you will also find in many other languages like JavaScript, Java, C++, C#, Kotlin, PHP, Ruby, Swift and many others. So in effect, when you learn Python, you will be learning much about just about every modern programming language!
How about Python jobs?
There are lots of Python jobs, and in many fields. So having Python as tool in your nerd-toolbelt, will just make getting well paying jobs that much easier.
Conclusion
I teach a few languages, and have written commercial code in 9 programming languages. There is a reason I choose Python as one of only 3 programming the languages I teach.
If you like to learn quickly, then you will love how easily and quickly you will learn Python with my popular Python course.
There is a growing awareness in the value of vocational education. For many students, college and university may not be their best choice, so it makes sense prepare them with valuable in demand skills.
With that in mind, it’s safe to say that coding and programming, is the 21st century vocational skill.
StudioWeb’s unique curriculum
A vocationally capable code curriculum is hard to find. In fact, I haven’t found any other than StudioWeb.
This is probably because to create an effective set of courses, that teach both practical coding skills and theory, the courses (and software) has to be created by someone who:
Has teaching experience and skill.
Has commercial experience writing code.
Is an accomplished presenter and author.
Seven years ago, when I first designed the software and course structure for StudioWeb, I was able to pour into it my years of experience teaching code, creating courses, and writing commercial software. I believe this combination, was a key reason why StudioWeb’s curriculum has proven to be so popular with students and teachers.
In the video below, I go over my top 7 web design teaching tips for teachers. Here are the bullet points:
1. Use the spiral teaching method
2. Self paced learning is best
3. Encourage students to use online training resources
4. Web Design software is NOT important
Now that coding is widely recognised as a core skillset that students should learn, schools around the world are looking for code curriculums.
Too many code courses!
There are plenty of code courses out there, but unfortunately, the vast majority are created by coders who have no teaching skill, or experience. For adult students, you can get away with that, but when it comes to middle school and high school students, you need a set of courses created by experienced teachers.
What makes a great coding course for middle school and high school students?
It comes down to a few things:
The lessons have to be video based.
The video lessons have to be a reasonable length, otherwise students will quickly get bored.
A code teaching platform should provide instant feedback, and other incentives to engage students.
Code courses should breakdown concepts into small chunks that students can learn.
A teaching platform should provide flexible lesson plans and other materials teachers need.
Most of all, the courses have to fun!
Why use web design to teach code?
I am now going into my 7th year of working with schools to teach code, and I’ve seen great success with coding courses based on the coding languages of web design:
The web design languages teach 3 different TYPES of computers languages: markup, styling and programming.
Web Design can be taught on any type of computer. Compare this (for example,) to Apple’s Swift, you need to have expensive Apple hardware. Whereas with web design, you can teach it on Chromebooks, Windows, Macs, Linux computers and tablets!
Free web design code editors – so many to choose from! In fact, you can teach web design just using a simple text editor … every computer has one!
Web design is visual …. students see their work come alive on screen.
Web design is real! Watch student engagement skyrocket when they see their code do real things.
For schools and teachers who want to give their students an amazing coding experience, there is no better way than using the web design languages.
Full disclosure:
StudioWeb provides a fun interactive training platform and curriculum designed with the help of many teachers and their students across the US, Canada and places around the world.
“Hi, I have to teach a web design class but I don’t know much about code. Can you help?”
We sure can! Many teachers have come to us not knowing much about code, and so StudioWeb has been developed over the last 7 years, to be easy to use … even for teachers who don’t know code.
The most popular of our courses are the foundations languages used to build all websites and web apps:
HTML
CSS
JavaScript
Between the hundreds of video lessons, 1000 quiz questions (+ code challenges), and the 57 projects … you will have more than enough material to keep your students busy and engaged.
“… Students really enjoy the courses in part, because they quickly see that they are writing real code. The fact that the lessons are funny, helps a lot too!”
Phone and email support are free, and you get to speak to the course creator directly!! Feel free to contact us, and we will help you get your web design class up and running quickly.
Getting your web design class up and running is easy with StudioWeb.
The steps are:
We set up your StudioWeb classroom(s), where each student gets their own user ID.
Teachers give students their IDs, and they log in and start with the HTML course.
As your students watch the videos and answer quiz questions, the StudioWeb software tracks their progress auto generating grades for you by course, chapter and even the lesson!
You have the option to assign them projects that we provide. The projects start on ch3 of the HTML course.
We have a total of 57 projects between the HTML,CSS and JavaScript courses. Each project bound to a chapter in a course.
We provide an easy to use grading rubric for the projects. Even teachers who don’t know code, can accurately assess student work with help of the grading rubric. Using the projects is optional, since the StudioWeb auto grading is very accurate.
It is practically impossible for students to get stuck on a lesson, given how the StudioWeb app and courses are designed. But, if ever a question should come up (and you don’t have an answer,) the course creator (Stefan) will be able to answer questions the same day.
… I make it a point to be in contact with teachers. I am able to do this since we get so few questions!
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Everyone knows that kids should learn to code for a variety of reasons. Here are just a few:
Opens up possibilities for future jobs
Develops problem solving skills
Develops logical thinking skills
… As such, we are starting to see the growth of coding camps for kids.
Schools are slowly introducing coding
Often times, schools have limited time and resources, and as such, it will likely be many more years until coding is part of core curriculum in many schools.
Parents around the world are taking the initiative to give their kids a headstart, and are enrolling them in code camps. These camps take place either during the summer months, or throughout the school year, after regular school hours. Many entrepreneurs are stepping up to meet this growing need.
What are the skills required to start a code camp?
Typically, if you are to teach code, you need a person who knows how to write code, and who knows how to teach as well. Not a common skillset, and not that easy for the average person to learn both skills.
Code camp owners have a few options: build these skills (which is a daunting task for most,) or hire a teacher/developer. But both options presents its’ own problems. Another solution is to use StudioWeb, a system that allows just about anyone to successfully manage a code class.
StudioWeb allows teachers to facilitate a code classroom
After 7 years of refinements, the StudioWeb app and code courses, allows anyone to lead a coding classroom. With StudioWeb, teachers don’t need to know the languages (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python), they don’t need to design the course lessons, the quizzing and student projects. With StudioWeb, you literally have a turnkey tool that automates the classroom.
… Among the many features, StudioWeb generates accurate grades, usage reports, and even awards badges and certificates that students can print and mount. All handled by the StudioWeb web application, and is practically effortless to manage. Teachers love it. Especially teachers who don’t know code!
Advantages of starting a code camp:
No coding skills required with StudioWeb.
Great for stay-at-home moms!
Very small startup cost, since most students will have a laptop, or the camp will only need to supply inexpensive Chromebooks and inexpensive headphones.
Easy to get people excited to sign up to a camp.
If you would be interested in setting up a code camp, feel free to contact StudioWeb.
I was reading an article on Yale University’s research with socially assistive robotics, that help to teach kids. The main points I got out of the article:
Robots learn and adapt to individual student need.
Students are motivated when the learning process is turned into a game. A little competition is very motivating for many students. Otherwise known as gamification.
When students work one-on-one with a robot, they are not afraid to answer questions, since all the students are busy working with their own robots.
The robots look like fun toys.
This is interesting to me, because the StudioWeb app and curriculum, has been developed with an awareness of the above lessons.
StudioWeb’s experience reflects Yale’s:
StudioWeb’s software shares similar traits (if you will) with Yale’s socially assistive robots. StudioWeb is a gamified app where students learn to code, as they unlock levels, earn badges and score points. Students work on their own computers, at their own pace, and so they don’t have to worry about social pressures.
This August will mark our 7th year since StudioWeb first entered the classroom with our clear-cut, easy to use curriculum on web design.
We have helped many teachers and schools, make the coding languages of web design (HTML, CSS and JavaScript,) both fun and easy to learn.
We learn, to help you teach
It has taken a willingness to listen to teachers and students, visits to classrooms, and persistence to get StudioWeb to where it is today. With practically a 100% renewal rate, teachers of all web design skill levels, find our solid course curriculum and software, an invaluable teaching aid.
… In fact, having StudioWeb in the classroom is almost like having your own teacher’s assistant, who happens to be an expert at teaching web design!
There are about 100 elements that when combined, make StudioWeb’s courses so effective. But, after speaking with many teachers, I’d say the top features they mention are:
Instant feedback in the quizzing and code challenges.
Built-in powerful hinting – students can never get stuck.
Accurate auto grading by course, chapter and even the lesson!
There is so much more that makes StudioWeb so effective (student projects, 360 optimized video lessons, realtime tracking) … but in the end, all that matters is that your students will learn how to write code, and build websites they can proudly show their friends and family.
… Nothing motivates students like seeing their work produce real results!
If you would like to learn more or try a demo, please feel free to visit StudioWeb.com
