Skip to content

michaelborck-books/pythink-ai

Repository files navigation

PyThink AI: Python Programming Through Computational Thinking

Learn Python by thinking like a programmer, with AI as your guide

🎯 Course Overview

PyThink AI is a revolutionary 12-week Python programming course that transforms how beginners learn to code. Instead of memorizing syntax, students master computational thinking while using AI as an intelligent learning partner—not a crutch.

🌟 What Makes This Course Different?

  • Computational Thinking First: Understand the "why" before the "how"
  • AI as Teacher, Not Ghostwriter: Learn to prompt, verify, and understand AI-generated code
  • Progressive Complexity: Each week builds on proven concepts with no surprises
  • Real-World Focus: Build practical applications from week one
  • Modern Learning: Designed for the AI era while ensuring deep understanding

📚 Course Philosophy

"AI is your learning partner and code assistant. Master the concepts, let AI handle the syntax, but always understand what you're building."

🗂️ Repository Structure

python-with-ai/
├── README.md                    # This file
├── course/                      # Complete 12-week course materials
│   ├── week-01-foundations/     # Each week contains:
│   ├── week-02-decisions/       #   - Lectures (.qmd files)
│   ├── week-03-repetition/      #   - Labs & exercises
│   ├── ...                      #   - Projects
│   └── week-12-visual-interfaces/#   - Assessments & resources
├── course-development/          # Course development resources
│   ├── 1-create-prd.md         # Development workflow docs
│   ├── 2-generate-tasks.md
│   └── design-principles.md
└── ai-integrated-python-course.md # Original course outline

🎓 Course Curriculum

Foundation Phase (Weeks 1-4)

  • Week 1: Computational Thinking & AI Partnership
  • Week 2: Making Decisions in Code
  • Week 3: Repetition and Patterns
  • Week 4: Organizing Data

Building Phase (Weeks 5-8)

  • Week 5: Modular Programming with Functions
  • Week 6: Complex Data Structures
  • Week 7: File Operations and Persistence
  • Week 8: Integration and Code Quality

Application Phase (Weeks 9-12)

  • Week 9: Data Analysis Fundamentals
  • Week 10: Connected Applications & APIs
  • Week 11: Interactive Applications
  • Week 12: Visual Interfaces with GUIs

🚀 Getting Started

For Instructors

  1. Review the course philosophy in ai-integrated-python-course.md
  2. Each week folder contains:
    • Instructor guides with teaching notes
    • Complete solutions
    • Assessment rubrics
    • Resource materials

For Students

  1. Start with Week 1's README
  2. Set up your Python environment (instructions in Week 1)
  3. Choose and configure your AI assistant
  4. Follow the progressive learning path

📋 Prerequisites

  • No prior programming experience required
  • Basic computer literacy
  • Access to an AI assistant (ChatGPT, Claude, etc.)
  • Python 3.8+ installed
  • A curious mind and willingness to think before coding

🛠️ Technology Stack

  • Language: Python 3.8+
  • Documents: Quarto Markdown (.qmd) for interactive content
  • Recommended IDE: VS Code with Python extension
  • AI Tools: Any modern AI assistant (ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot)

📖 Teaching Methodology

  1. Concept Introduction: Abstract thinking before concrete syntax
  2. Progressive Disclosure: New features only after mastery
  3. AI Integration: Strategic use of AI for learning, not bypassing
  4. Project-Based: Real applications reinforce concepts
  5. Continuous Assessment: Regular checks ensure understanding

🤝 Contributing

This course is actively maintained. To contribute:

  1. Review course-development/design-principles.md
  2. Follow the established week structure
  3. Ensure no concepts are used before introduction
  4. Test all code examples with current Python version

📄 License

This project uses a dual licensing approach:

  • Educational Content (lectures, labs, projects, assessments): Licensed under Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0

    • You must give appropriate credit
    • Adaptations must be shared under the same license
  • Code Examples: Licensed under MIT License

    • Free to use with minimal restrictions

See LICENSE for details.

🙏 Acknowledgments

Created by educators who believe in the power of computational thinking and the responsible use of AI in education.


"In the age of AI, the most valuable skill isn't writing code—it's thinking computationally and knowing what code should do."

About

Learn Python by thinking like a programmer, with AI as your guide

Resources

License

Unknown and 2 other licenses found

Licenses found

Unknown
LICENSE
MIT
LICENSE-CODE
Unknown
LICENSE-CONTENT

Stars

Watchers

Forks

Releases

No releases published

Packages

No packages published

Contributors 2

  •  
  •  

Languages