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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Problem Solving, Python Programming, and Video Games by University of Alberta

4.2
stars
221 ratings

About the Course

This course is an introduction to computer science and programming in Python. Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to: 1. Take a new computational problem and solve it, using several problem solving techniques including abstraction and problem decomposition. 2. Follow a design creation process that includes: descriptions, test plans, and algorithms. 3. Code, test, and debug a program in Python, based on your design. Important computer science concepts such as problem solving (computational thinking), problem decomposition, algorithms, abstraction, and software quality are emphasized throughout. This course uses problem-based learning. The Python programming language and video games are used to demonstrate computer science concepts in a concrete and fun manner. The instructional videos present Python using a conceptual framework that can be used to understand any programming language. This framework is based on several general programming language concepts that you will learn during the course including: lexics, syntax, and semantics. Other approaches to programming may be quicker, but are more focused on a single programming language, or on a few of the simplest aspects of programming languages. The approach used in this course may take more time, but you will gain a deeper understanding of programming languages. After completing the course, in addition to learning Python programming, you will be able to apply the knowledge and skills you acquired to: non-game problems, other programming languages, and other computer science courses. You do not need any previous programming, Python, or video game experience. However, several basic skills are needed: computer use (e.g., mouse, keyboard, document editing), elementary mathematics, attention to detail (as with many technical subjects), and a “just give it a try” spirit will be keys to your success. Despite the use of video games for the main programming project, PVG is not about computer games. For each new programming concept, PVG uses non-game examples to provide a basic understanding of computational principles, before applying these programming concepts to video games. The interactive learning objects (ILO) of the course provide automatic, context-specific guidance and feedback, like a virtual teaching assistant, as you develop problem descriptions, functional test plans, and algorithms. The course forums are supported by knowledgeable University of Alberta personnel, to help you succeed. All videos, assessments, and ILOs are available free of charge. There is an optional Coursera certificate available for a fee....

Top reviews

AN

Oct 2, 2021

excellent course. The syntax analysis was rather hard at times but it gave a more systematic approach to programming. What gained over programming skills is actually efficiency in programming.

IN

Sep 27, 2022

This course helps a lot in understanding the algorithms of programming. Moreover, the way of learning is helpful to understand other languages other than python.

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26 - 50 of 75 Reviews for Problem Solving, Python Programming, and Video Games

By Martin T

Jul 9, 2021

Awful. Pointless semantic analysis exercises and hardly any actual Python programming. Very disappointed.

By S V

Jul 14, 2021

Mostly irrelevant stuff. Very little of actual programming.

By Ondřej P

Apr 19, 2021

bad tests

By Arvin S

Dec 16, 2021

This course takes you from a beginner and develop you to become to an intermediate level. I advise whoever wishing to start this course to practice a lot with WING IDE once your course start you wont have the leisure to practice. If you are a beginner allocate 4-5 days per week. Don't give up, there is always a solution to the problem you will get. Week 5,6,7 might be the most difficult after that its quite easy. You will have 2 super gentle ladies replying to you in the forum. They will guide you. Only thing i think will help future students is if we could have link to external resources for each week. Some time it happens we cant follow a tutor then what follow is difficult to understand. Looking at the same video 100 times wont change anything. We just need a different tutor with with different teaching techniques. Overall i am vey happy and gladly recommend this course.

By Eric T

Jun 8, 2021

This course was exactly what I was looking for, I needed an intro to programming within video games but all the other courses I have taken did not go into the concepts in depth. I really liked how they broke down the creation of description, algorithms, and test plans within each version of the games we made. Without someone there to assist you it can be difficult and I spent way too long on certain parts because I had to go to the forum or trouble shoot online. But I do appreciate it in a way, all the things I struggled on I will not forget and being able to trouble shoot online is a necessary skill when it comes to coding. Great intro course, I would definitely recommend it to someone looking to get into the gaming industry.

By Jeremy K

Aug 4, 2022

Found this to be a very thorough introduction to Python and quite different from other programming courses I have participated in. I liked the way the course focussed on creating successively more complex versions of the applications and introducing the required skills as necessary. The emphasis on syntax and semantics was quite heavy but it did provide a good insight into how the interpreter functions. I found the explanations of object oriented techniques such as namespaces and classes to be a lot clearer than those I have been exposed to be previously in books and other courses. I appreciate how well the course was organized and clearly a lot of effort was put into the structure and delivery. Thank you.

By 19_061 w A

Jun 23, 2022

Kursus ini memberikan pemahaman mengenai ilmu komputer khusunya pemrograman bahasa python. Selain itu, kursus ini juga mempelajari PVG atau python vidio game, dimana python dan vidio game digunakan untuk mendemonstrasikan ilmu komputer dengan konsep yang lebih menyenangkan, sehingga belajar tidak jadi membosankan namun lebih menyenangkan

This course provides an understanding of computer science, especially python programming. In addition, this course also studies PVG or python video games, where python and video games are used to demonstrate computer science with more fun concepts, so learning is not boring but more fun.

By mahdi a

Apr 2, 2022

I really liked the program. I knew python before starting this course and I could program in it but I always lacked confidence that I might not know some basics. so I started this course to make sure that I have covered all the basic python rules. I am really happy that I did start this program because it deepened my python programming skills and knowledge in addition to computer science basics and it showed me how much I don't know and I need to learn a lot.

By Zahurul I

Jun 10, 2020

Many thanks to the instructional team for offering the course in such a structured way. The details of the design processes and problem-based approach really helped a lot to learn the ins and outs of Python programming without which a solid understanding of the programming would not be possible for me, I believe. Now I am confident that I can dive now more into areas of software engineering/programming. Thanks again to the awesome team.

By 20-047 F F R

Jun 15, 2022

the material is delivered by great and experienced presenters, the material presented is clear and easy to understand, the material presented also uses good visualization so that it helps to understand. The quiz given is also not too difficult, the reading given is also clear and the core material can be understood, unfortunately there is no translation for Indonesian

By Alberto A M

May 16, 2022

It is a challenging course, but at the same time it allows you to learn a lot about the python language and how to develop a project from scratch. I really liked the methodology of practices, trial and error. I simply recommend this course for all levels from a beginning programmer to an intermediate and advanced programmers.

By Subhojit S

Apr 12, 2021

I had a lot of fun in this course. The videos were very clear and easy to understand and the quizzes were helpful in clarifying the concepts further. I loved the programming quizzes, and I normally hate problem-solving questions. Kudos to the team behind this course. I thank them from the bottom of my heart.

By Kateb Z

Aug 14, 2022

wondrfull courses oveslly created by a proffesionall ho know how make you learn i have already take a few courses befor this one and steel a learn a l lot, l hate every minut doing the syntax and semantic analyss but i understand how it help writ a code with less error thanks to all ho make this course

By Diego S

Nov 30, 2021

I enjoyed the course. It's not so easy for beginners but it's not impossible. The professors don't take a long time to answer our questions and this is really good. I think there are too many semantic and syntactic quizzes. They could change that in my opinion. Anyway, it's a good course!

By wulan a

Jun 28, 2022

This course provides an understanding of computer science, especially python programming. In addition, this course also studies PVG or python video games, where python and video games are used to demonstrate computer science with more fun concepts, so learning is not boring but more fun.

By Peter H

Jan 31, 2022

This is a fantastic introduction to python that goes into the grammatical details (lexical, syntactic, and semantic) in a way that no programming course that I have taken has done. You will emerge with both a deep understanding of python and a good foundation in programming practice.

By Alok A (

Mar 8, 2022

Very thorough and detailed explanations for the modules that are a part of the course. Learnt a lot about basics, classes, functions, window displays and foundations to build a gamr using py. The faculty also replied quickly and in a precise manner which helps in solving doubts.

By Iftikhar S N

Sep 28, 2022

This course helps a lot in understanding the algorithms of programming. Moreover, the way of learning is helpful to understand other languages other than python.

By Flávio F

Sep 26, 2021

Easy to follow for people at any knowledge level, and still more in-depth to how everything works than my 3 year programming course was.

By Максим К

Aug 5, 2022

Интересный курс, понравился подход к решению проблем, буду использовать его в будущем! Спасибо! Thank You!

By Khôi Đ M

Dec 15, 2021

Give you a detailed insight of Python programming with various interactive materials. Worth for learning!

By Jennifer M C

Nov 30, 2022

I highly recommend this course. I enjoyed the class and you will learn a lot about python.

By Wesley M V

Apr 14, 2023

Really challenging , it took me between 4 and 6 months to complete the course.

By Rufino M G I

Apr 2, 2022

Test was beneficial in retaining the information needed in each topics

By Suman G

May 25, 2022

Very good syllabus , covering many aspects of python programming