Programming 101: An Introduction to Python for Educators (FutureLearn)

Programming 101: An Introduction to Python for Educators (FutureLearn)

Explore the basics of Python. Guided by the Raspberry Pi Foundation, you’ll learn to code your first program. Learn how to program in Python with help from Raspberry Pi. On this course, you’ll explore programming in Python. Guided by the Raspberry Pi Foundation, you’ll discover basic programming concepts, learning how to understand the basics of python syntax and interpret error messages.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see FutureLearn's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

Ultimately, you’ll use your new coding skills to create your first program - which will be able to solve a simple problem.

What topics will you cover?

  • Basic programming concepts such as repetition and sequencing
  • When and how to use a ‘for’ loop, an ‘if’ statement, a ‘while’ loop, and functions
  • Creating your own program to solve a simple problem
  • The basics of Python syntax
  • How to interpret error messages

Learning on this course
You can take this self-guided course and learn at your own pace. On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you'll be able to...

  • Explore basic programming concepts such as sequencing and repetition
  • Identify use cases for 'for' and 'while' loops, if statements and functions
  • Produce your own program to solve a simple problem
  • Interpret error messages, with a knowledge of basic Python syntax

Who is the course for?
This course would suit educators who have no experience of programming in Python.

What software or tools do you need?
To take part in this course you’ll need to download Python, or use an online IDE.
If you need advice about the options for using Python, or instructions for installing it, please review our guidance on Applications for creating Python programs

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Networking with Python: Socket Programming for Communication (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Raspberry Pi Foundation,National Centre for Computing Education

Networking with Python: Socket Programming for Communication (FutureLearn)

Discover how you can create networked applications in Python by using sockets. Supported by Google. Build your practical network application skills and understanding. On this course from the Raspberry Pi Foundation, you’ll learn how to create programs that communicate over the internet.

Mar 6th 2023
3 Weeks
Object-oriented Programming in Python: Create Your Own Adventure Game (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Raspberry Pi Foundation,National Centre for Computing Education

Object-oriented Programming in Python: Create Your Own Adventure Game (FutureLearn)

Learn object-oriented programming principles by creating your own text-based adventure game in Python. Object-oriented programming is a programming paradigm based on objects and data rather than actions and logic. This online course will introduce you to the principles of object-oriented programming in Python, showing you how to create objects, functions, methods, and classes.

Jan 2nd 2023
4 Weeks
Intermediate Python (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of California, Irvine

Intermediate Python (FutureLearn)

Develop your programming skills and learn the dynamic semantics of Python as an object-oriented programming language. Build your Python programming skills. On this six-week course from the University of California, Irvine, you’ll gain basic computer science knowledge to help you become more efficient with Python programming, focusing on the data-science applications of programming concepts.

Nov 29th 2021
5-12 Weeks
Introduction to Data Analytics with Python (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
FutureLearn

Introduction to Data Analytics with Python (FutureLearn)

Learn the fundamentals of using Python for data analysis and develop skills in two of Python’s core libraries, Pandas and Seaborn. Build your data analytics toolkit with Python. We are in the era of ‘big data’. According to a Forbes article published in 2018, around 2.5 quintillion bytes of data were being generated each day globally. On this four-week course, created in collaboration with Tableau, you’ll gain a foundational knowledge of data science for business applications, acting as a launchpad to help you become a successful data scientist.

Oct 25th 2021
4 Weeks
Teaching Programming to 5 - 11 year olds (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Raspberry Pi Foundation,National Centre for Computing Education

Teaching Programming to 5 - 11 year olds (FutureLearn)

Increase your programming knowledge and develop effective lessons to teach programming to primary school pupils (aged 5-11 years). Build your subject knowledge and develop your skills in teaching programming. Programming gives children the opportunity to be creators rather than just consumers of technology. Instead of only using existing programs to complete tasks, children can use the programs they have written themselves to solve problems and develop new ideas.

Jan 2nd 2023
4 Weeks
Programming Pedagogy in Secondary Schools: Inspiring Computing Teaching (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Raspberry Pi Foundation,National Centre for Computing Education

Programming Pedagogy in Secondary Schools: Inspiring Computing Teaching (FutureLearn)

Examine a range of pedagogical approaches suitable for teaching computing in Key Stage 3 (Grade 6–8 in the USA). Transform your teaching by developing your pedagogical approach. In the first two weeks of this course, you’ll be introduced to a range of pedagogical approaches suitable for Key Stage 3. You’ll look at a range of pedagogies aimed at developing your students’ computational thinking skills, from unplugged approaches to PRIMM, and more. You’ll also investigate worked examples and targeted tasks such as Parson’s Problems.

Mar 6th 2023
3 Weeks
Scratch to Python: Moving from Block- to Text-based Programming (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Raspberry Pi Foundation

Scratch to Python: Moving from Block- to Text-based Programming (FutureLearn)

Learn how to apply the thinking and programming skills you've learnt in Scratch to text-based programming languages like Python. Discover how you can transition from block to text-based programming. Block-based programming languages like Scratch make it simple to learn and teach programming. But once you and your students have mastered it, it’s time to move on to a text-based programming language such as Python. This online course will show you how.

Mar 6th 2023
4 Weeks
Building Web Applications in Django (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Michigan

Building Web Applications in Django (FutureLearn)

Learn how to build and deploy web applications using the Django framework in the Python programming language. Discover the basics of the Django web framework. Django is a high-level Python web framework that encourages fast development and a clean, pragmatic design. This informative, four-week course from the University of Michigan will teach you all the basics of the Django web framework, and will show you how Django communicates with a database through model objects.

Dec 14th 2020
4 Weeks
Programming 103: Saving and Structuring Data (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Raspberry Pi Foundation,National Centre for Computing Education

Programming 103: Saving and Structuring Data (FutureLearn)

Learn how to save and structure data in external files, and import files back into your Python programs. Supported by Google. Discover how to save data to use it across multiple runs of your program. On this course, you will learn how to save text and binary files, and how to structure data so that programs can interpret it correctly.

Jan 2nd 2023
3 Weeks
Software Development Basics (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
FutureLearn

Software Development Basics (FutureLearn)

Learn the basics of HTML code, gain expert insights into web development, and decide if the industry is right for you. Kick-start your career in web-based software development. The web design and development industry is growing exponentially and offers several exciting employment opportunities. Many people perceive this field as too complex, assume they won’t understand the material and therefore don’t consider it as a viable job prospect.

Oct 25th 2021
4 Weeks
Django Features and Libraries (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Michigan

Django Features and Libraries (FutureLearn)

Gather all the skills you need in order to build Django-based web applications suitable for use. Learn the ins and outs of Django and how to build web applications. This practical, six-week course from the University of Michigan will give you all the skills you need in order to build Django-based web applications suitable for use by end users.

Jan 11th 2021
5-12 Weeks
Programming Applications with Python: Libraries and Web Scraping (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
FutureLearn

Programming Applications with Python: Libraries and Web Scraping (FutureLearn)

Consider applications for APIs and Python, and explore the purpose of web scraping. Examine Python libraries for web development. This course will introduce you to the popular Requests library in Python. You’ll study how to install the Requests library and get to know how it works. Learning via videos, interactive exercises, and quizzes, you’ll also explore what HTTP requests are and what each of the status codes in HTTP mean.

May 23rd 2022
4 Weeks