PSA: The library downtown has a free Python workshop that's actually helpful

I was at the main library on 5th Street yesterday to print something, and I saw a sign for a 'First Steps with Python' class in the community room. I peeked in and it was packed, like 20 people all on laptops. The instructor wasn't just talking at them, she had them typing code right away to make a little text-based game. It looked super basic, just printing lines and using simple 'if' statements, but everyone was actually doing it. I hung around for a bit and noticed they had volunteers walking around to help when someone got stuck. It made me realize how much easier it is to start when you're in a room with other people trying the same thing, instead of just watching a video alone. The next one is in two weeks and I'm thinking of going, even though I've tried online tutorials before. Has anyone else been to a local class like that and found it better than learning solo?

3 comments

3 Comments

carr.willow2mo ago

My local community college does a similar thing, but they break you into groups of three after the first hour. You have to solve a coding puzzle together on one laptop, which forces you to talk through the logic. It made the whole 'if statement' thing click way faster than when I was just copying code from a tutorial.

the_anna2mo ago

Wait, they only give you one laptop for three people?

derek93925d ago

Yeah that sounds rough. One laptop for three people is brutal.