Python for Everybody

Excellent introduction to basic Python code, with a focus on parsing strings and data structures, connecting with data sources, and database basics.
This five-course program was my first Python MOOC. The other, also taken on the Coursera.org platform, was the two-course "An Introduction to Interactive Computing" course from Rice U. Both of these were excellent. While they were both designed for beginners, they focused on very different things. The U. Mich. course focused on writing code to extract information from files, connecting with data sources on the internet, and organizing data in databases, all on an introductory level. The Rice U. course, on the other hand, focused on building simple games. Thus, the U. Mich. course taught us how to parse text strings and dictionaries, while the Rice U. course taught us how to create and use classes of objects. There was surprisingly little overlap between the two, and I feel very lucky that I found both courses and stuck with them to completion.

The teachers for both courses were excellent, albeit very different. There is no one best way to teach well, and they proved that. Hats off to all of the teachers of both schools.

The lecturer is quite good and deals a great way to teach us. A huge thanks to him and Coursera for this opportunity. I have learnt a lot of ways till now about python and yes, this course is true that "Python for everybody". Anyone can get benefited through this course. The teacher not only knows his material, but has a lot of experience working with first time programmers and so knows what errors they are likely to make and what questions they are likely to ask and addresses them all. He is fun to listen to, unlike others. I have taken where the teachers were reading and got the intonation all wrong--very distracting. This one wasn't like that by far. He was interesting and even funny at times. The only issue I have is that if you are auditing the class, it isn't as nice an experience. You can't submit quizzes to see if you got them right and all your coding problems are marked wrong. You can still do the coding and the website will error check and all, but you won't get the pass/fail grade to be sure you got it right. I worked through all the materials, including reading the chapters in the book in just four days. I'd say there is about 2 to 4 hours of work per "week" expected. So, great course, but Coursera has become more interested in making money than in those of us who must only audit. It is not worth my time to chase up financial aid for something I'm working through so quickly. I'd rather spend the time working on a portfolio for future work than to bother about all that. Many thanks!

Excellent introduction to basic Python code, with a focus on parsing strings and data structures, connecting with data sources, and database basics.

This five-course program was my first Python MOOC. The other, also taken on the Coursera.org platform, was the two-course "An Introduction to Interactive Computing" course from Rice U. Both of these were excellent. While they were both designed for beginners, they focused on very different things. The U. Mich. course focused on writing code to extract information from files, connecting with data sources on the internet, and organizing data in databases, all on an introductory level. The Rice U. course, on the other hand, focused on building simple games. Thus, the U. Mich. course taught us how to parse text strings and dictionaries, while the Rice U. course taught us how to create and use classes of objects. There was surprisingly little overlap between the two, and I feel very lucky that I found both courses and stuck with them to completion.

The teachers for both courses were excellent, albeit very different. There is no one best way to teach well, and they proved that. Hats off to all of the teachers of both schools.

Outstanding way to learn Python!
First, let me say that I didn't do the capstone (I kept things cost lite) but I did complete all of the non-capstone classes.

These are an exceptional series of classes, and do a phenomenal job of introducing Python in a way that's slow enough to be understandable, but fast enough to feel like you're accomplishing things. Especially in the third and fourth class you get to the point where you can use Python for more than just basic programming and do things that can be career-relevant.

The instructor is also exceptionally engaging and makes the classes fun! So much thanks to Charles Severance, you do a great job! Though I skimmed a lot of the extra material, it's great to have it there as well, and hearing from people in the industry is great.

All in all this series of classes is among the best I've taken!

Excellent and easy to follow. Not trying to prove how smart he is...
The problem with many MOOCs is that the instructor gets full of himself and tries to convince us how smart he/she is. Dr. Chuck was absolutely not like that, I found myself wishing he would have one of his Office Hours in my area so I could participate. The course pacing was excellent, the covered material was useful and to the point. No extra material which would just cloud the subject, all to the point. A great starting point for a student new to Python. Wish he had done this when I was learning C back in the 70's! The interviews with "names" were interesting, I especially love the one with Andrew Tanenbaum, the books on his desk are on my shelf from my MS days. Brought back lots of great memories, one of the few textbooks which actually was funny and fun to read.

The lecturer is quite good and deals a great way to teach us. A huge thanks to him and Coursera for this opportunity. I have learnt a lot of ways till now about python and yes, this course is true that "Python for everybody". Anyone can get benefited through this course. The teacher not only knows his material, but has a lot of experience working with first time programmers and so knows what errors they are likely to make and what questions they are likely to ask and addresses them all. He is fun to listen to, unlike others. I have taken where the teachers were reading and got the intonation all wrong--very distracting. This one wasn't like that by far. He was interesting and even funny at times. The only issue I have is that if you are auditing the class, it isn't as nice an experience. You can't submit quizzes to see if you got them right and all your coding problems are marked wrong. You can still do the coding and the website will error check and all, but you won't get the pass/fail grade to be sure you got it right. I worked through all the materials, including reading the chapters in the book in just four days. I'd say there is about 2 to 4 hours of work per "week" expected. So, great course, but Coursera has become more interested in making money than in those of us who must only audit. It is not worth my time to chase up financial aid for something I'm working through so quickly. I'd rather spend the time working on a portfolio for future work than to bother about all that. Many thanks!