MOO...C

[days_unfolding]

I'm turning into the MOOC (massive open online course) queen. I've been taking a (free) MOOC from Adobe about the uses of multimedia in education. I saw some MOOCs about data analysis that require a knowledge of the programming language Python, so I went scrounging for ways to learn Python. There's a class on udacity that is highly recommended, but it costs $99 dollars, and I don't want to spend the money. (Right now, I can't spend the money, but that's another story.) So I found a (free) beginning programming class using Python on Coursera that's starting in February. The class is free, and the University of Michigan is giving it, so it should be pretty good. I wonder, though, how much Python they will cover because I have some basic programming skills, but I'll also get a couple of Python books after I get paid. Right now, I'm working on a proposal for a poster presentation using social network analysis for the upcoming library conference, and I started a class in social network analysis, but didn't finish it, so I'm going to listen to the lectures to be able to write more intelligently about it. That too is free. There's a lot of lively discussion about the impact of MOOCs on education, but they're great for professional development. Dear Internet, have I said lately that I love you? -;)

Comments

Python online

[theerik.livejournal.com]

Hey, I happened to log into LJ this weekend for the first time in... months, at least, and saw this question.

While I don't know about MOOCs, I personally learned Python completely on-line. I strongly recommend http://www.diveintopython.net as a great place to start. (Aha! There's newer version at http://getpython3.com/diveintopython3/.) It's based on the principle of starting each chapter by giving you a new example piece of code that you don't understand, then explaining the language elements used in that example until at the end of the chapter it should make perfect sense. Repeat until you understand everything. :)

No matter how you're learning Python, the online documentation archive is invaluable, though not the best place to start learning. It's at docs.python.org, and is a wonderful resource. If you do start with Python, it's a far better reference than any paper book (searchable!).

Good luck!

Re: Python online

[days-unfolding.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the info! Apparently there are several Python books available in PDF format for free, so I printed one off. I'll check out the resources that you mentioned too. (I posted this question on Facebook too, and all the techies are coming out of the woodwork to give me advice!)