Python for First time Coding Teachers

This workshop is a hands on introduction to Python in the classroom. Participants will be guided through a learning sequence that covers the fundamental programming concepts such as variables, loops and if statements and then apply this knowledge to solve 3 computational thinking problems.

(The second workshop in this series is Computational Thinking in Python.)

Python is an interpreted text based general purpose programming language and is also the only professional programming language that was designed with beginners in mind; it is intuitive and easy to use.

The workshop is targeted at teachers of Years 7-10. 

By the end of the workshop, participants should be able to:

• Describe and illustrate key concepts like data types variables, loops and if statements
• Apply loops and if statements to create programs that draw shapes as well as programs that do mathematical computations (times tables and factorisation)
• Use native python string functions to manipulate text and perform capitalisation, concatenation and various other string formatting operations
• Use the random function to create dice games and guessing games
  

About the presenter 

Sanjin Dedić has a B.Eng in Mechatronic Systems majoring in Robotics and Computer Vision and spent several years working industry as an Engineer. He then retrained as a teacher and taught Systems Engineering and Digital Technologies at a secondary level. Recently he has been developing a series of technology programs for G.A.T.E.WAYS (gifted and talented education) covering everything from coding, robotics, applied mathematics and microcontrollers. These programs have been delivered to students in Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra and Queensland. As a head of eLearning at Techxellent he has combined his technological expertise with his educational experience to create innovative teacher training programs and resources.