Mailman 3 February 2005 - Edu-sig

Re: [Edu-sig] 3d goggles -- any recommendations
by Laura Creighton 09 Feb '05

09 Feb '05

I think, but am not certain, the Glasgow Science Centre has cheap 3-D glasses. http://www.glasgowsciencecentre.org/ Laura

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satacad python pdx
by Kirby Urner 08 Feb '05

08 Feb '05

Hi folks -- this is some more legwork around the Python class I'm about to start, in the capacity of instructor (I of course do Python classes as a student as well -- like at Pycon or OSCON or like that). I'm being somewhat thorough in showing what this looks like from the inside, in hopes of inspiring others to consider similar strategies, e.g. teaching Python with some other language, while focusing on some knowledge domain (math in this case). I'm not saying all these strategies should be adopted across the board, just that you might get some good ideas following my progress. For starters, find out if your community offers a similar infrastructure for offering academic enrichment outside of normal schooling. It'll likely be university-based or university-connected. Consistent with the goals of CP4E, we need to get Python in the hands of many more students than just the CS majors. Posting to the J Forum appended. Kirby -----Original Message----- From: Kirby Urner [mailto:kirby@4DSOLUTIONS.NET] Sent: Monday, January 03, 2005 8:25 PM To: JFORUM(a)PEACH.EASE.LSOFT.COM Subject: [Jforum] Urner rejoins, intro Greetings J-ists -- I was subscribed some time ago, as maybe the archives will disclose, and now I'm back, in part because I'm scheduled to teach a computer course starting this Saturday, and I intend to focus on both J and Python. Here're some details: --- Explore topics in mathematics by writing and modifying programs in a contemporary computer language. A goal of this class is to help you gain proficiency as a programmer, while delving into number theory, group theory, chaos and fractals, cryptography, 3D graphics and more. A primary tool will be Python, an object oriented, uncluttered, general purpose language. For contrast and mind expansion, the J language will also be introduced. Instructor: Kirby Urner, with a BA in philosophy from Princeton University , is a computer programmer and educator. He has developed computer literacy products for McGraw-Hill and is a former high school mathematics teacher. --- I'm not a black belt J programmer, but do have some appreciation for it, APL being my first love as a language (Princeton had APL workstations scattered around campus in the 1970s, wired to the IBM 370 mainframe). Here's a web page I published as a result of my explorations in J awhile back: http://www.4dsolutions.net/ocn/Jlang.html I'm somewhat rusty at this point, and I think reading posts on the J list will be a good way to help me limber up a bit. I'll also paw through the archives a bit to find out what's been going on. Kirby NOTE: I'm cross-posting this to edu-sig (@ python.org), where I'll be doing some archiving about this course as well. As a rule of thumb, I will *not* cross-post between these two lists (I know how annoying that can be). -------------------------------------------------------------------------- For information about the J Forum see http://www.jsoftware.com/j_forum.htm

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Python control of a PC interfacing equipment
by Pramode C E 06 Feb '05

06 Feb '05

Hello, The Phoenix project aims to bring low cost PC based experimental Physics education to the classroom - read about it here: http://linuxgazette.net/111/pramode.html Regards, Pramode --------------

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re: Naming in Python
by Arthur 03 Feb '05

03 Feb '05

I wrote - >Any opinions as to whether the following is an insight, or the kind of >pseudo-incite I tend to realize I have had when I sober up in the morning? >That the "readability" of Python is built-in to the structure of the >language in a largely non-obvious way, and has little to do with white >space significance, surface level syntax, etc. >Python is a "naming" language. The interpreter is working with assigned >names of objects more directly and more significantly than in other >languages (of which I am aware). As a programmer, one is conversing with >the interpreter by way of these names, as names and objects are closely >bound. And it therefore seems intuitively sensible to make names >significant, because in fact they are significant at a low and technical >level. >As opposed to C, for example. Which sort of laughs of you for going to the >trouble for adding extra keystrokes to placeholders. >Or something along these lines. I'll sink to commenting on my own post. Not the first time. Sobering up - I still think the observation has real substance. Though it is only an insight to the extent that it is non-obvious. I guess that depends on who you are and where you are coming from. It took me a while to get here. Art

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the Python Visual Sandbox
by Simon Burton 02 Feb '05

02 Feb '05

>From the PyCon abstracts: #21. Intuition and Python Programming - the Python Visual Sandbox Michael Weigend / Holzkamp-Gesamtschule Witten, Germany When you write a Python program, search for semantic errors, proof the correctness of a function or just talk about programming, you use intuitive models of information processing. An intuitive model is a mental concept which is simple and self evident and needs no further explanation. Usually these concepts can be visualized. Intuitive models can be useful or they can be misleading. Sometimes they are unconscious. The Python Visual Sandbox (PVS) is a collection of interactive multimedia applications ñ usually games, especially designed for programming novices. They contain more than a hundred animations which represent intuitive models including typical misconceptions. The purpose of the PVS is two fold. First of all it is a research tool to find out, what intuitive concepts Python programmers use in different contexts. Secondly it is a learning device which can be integrated in lesson plans. This contribution focuses on the learning/teaching aspect. holy cow! Simon. -- Simon Burton, B.Sc. Licensed PO Box 8066 ANU Canberra 2601 Australia Ph. 61 02 6249 6940 http://arrowtheory.com

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Huh?
by Arthur 01 Feb '05

01 Feb '05

Continuing thoughts on one guy's cognitive relationship with Python. That there is in addition to the day-to-day Python, the occult Python, of __getattr__ and __metaclass__, and wicked games to be played with introspection - all as essential to me as the surface level ergonomics. Or otherwise put, how could it otherwise feel *real* if there was not a layer to it that was less accessible, but one felt assured, more powerful. Kind of like being awake. Art

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Another comment on readibility.
by Arthur 01 Feb '05

01 Feb '05

For Programming Python 2nd edition Page 107 """ As we've seen, unlike C there is no "main" function in Python - when we run a program we simply execute all the code in the top-level file, from top to bottom. """ The compiler is reading exactly as we do. Writing to accommodate the compiler, is, as a by-product, writing to accommodate a human reader. Obvious enough. But it seems worth saying because its easy to lose sight of these obvious factors that are probably more at the root of making Python a comfortable environment/experience than all the listcomps and the like put together. And once again decorators are, in my mind, an exception. Reading down - something is being transformed, before it exists. Not meaning to imply that exceptions to rules are not sometimes well justified. Especially when they are well identified as such. Which I happen to think decorators are. No beefs, really. Just observation. Art

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RE: [Edu-sig] re: Naming in Python
by Arthur 01 Feb '05

01 Feb '05

> From: Anna Ravenscroft [mailto:rev_anna_r@yahoo.com] > On Jan 30, 2005, at 18:25, Arthur wrote: > > > > > > >> -----Original Message----- > >> From: Kirby Urner [mailto:urnerk@qwest.net] > >> > >>> Maybe a break-out session on Wittgenstein at PyCon ;) > >>> > >>> Art > >> > >> Well, at least you and I should talk, maybe over a beer. > > > > Beer. > > > > I'll have to try to remember my ID ;) > > > > Look forward to it. > > > > Art > > > I vote for an "Open Space" on Wittgenstein at PyCon. There are a few of > us interested in this... or at least let us know when you're going for > the beer... ;-) Not sure we are allowed to vote ;) And I think we need to find a Python angle. Did Wittgenstein anticipate Python? Does Python obsolete Wittgenstein? Maybe a beer would be best. Students buy. That's me, for one. Art

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