yego.me
💡 Stop wasting time. Read Youtube instead of watch. Download Chrome Extension

Welcome to Intro to Computer Science! | Intro to CS - Python | Khan Academy


3m read
·Nov 10, 2024

Welcome to KH Academy's intro to computer science course in Python! Let's learn more about what this course has to offer.

In this course, you'll learn the fundamentals of programming, from variables to conditionals, loops, functions, and data structures. We'll introduce the concepts in the Python programming language, but these Concepts will be applicable to any other programming language you might use in the future. You'll learn how to break down a problem, from user requirements to a working prototype, and how to read, extend, and modify an existing piece of code.

Throughout the course, we'll explore different applications of programming so you can see the diverse range of problems that programming can be used to solve and find a motivation that you personally connect with. You'll template a web page, design a recommendation engine, simulate natural selection, build a game, analyze data, and much more as you build a portfolio of projects that showcase your work.

Programming is endlessly applicable to other disciplines. It can help you solve problems, answer questions, or automate tasks that might otherwise take days to calculate manually. Plus, in the modern workforce, an increasing number of jobs require or at least benefit from programming backgrounds. From marketing to public health to UX design, understanding how programs work can help you navigate the technology you use every day. You'll start to develop an intuition for how apps you use might be built and better recognize their limitations and biases, so you can become a more responsible, critical, and effective user of technology.

The problem-solving skills you learn here can also help you excel in other subjects. Plus, programming is just cool! As a programmer, you get to apply your creativity every day to build new and exciting things. This course assumes zero prior programming experience, so if you think you know nothing about computers, then this course is built for you. And if you do have some prior programming experience, this course is built for you too.

We targeted a high school level when we built this course, but it's also suitable for motivated middle school learners, and it's a great option for adult learners looking to up their skills. This course comes with a built-in web-based development environment, so you can get coding from minute one. Each new concept starts with a code reading exercise where you learn to trace program execution. Then, you can apply that concept in a scaffolded, step-by-step programming challenge where you extend an existing program to solve a problem.

Our platform gives instant feedback and hints along the way, so you can always make sure you're making forward progress. Every unit ends with an open-ended project, so you can apply your creativity and see where it takes you. We include video lectures, program design worked examples, and tons of interactive example programs you can run, modify, and experiment with in line. Plus, you have access to our amazing community of learners who can answer questions and offer inspiration. So check out some of the amazing projects other learners have built in our program gallery or showcase one of your own.

I started out working as a software engineer on products like Google Maps, Xbox, and even the Khan Academy site you might be using right now. But I've also spent a lot of time in computer science classrooms, and through those experiences, I've learned that, one, there's a disconnect between a lot of CS curricula and the practical skills that students will need outside of the classroom, and two, there are a lot of misconceptions that discourage people from pursuing CS.

I wanted to make this course centered in relevant, real-world problems, so we can see the why of each concept in context. I wanted to illustrate the many different ways to use programming, so we can reach a diverse set of learners, no matter who you are or what you want to create. And I wanted to represent that programmers build things for humans and with humans, so we can see that computer science is an inherently human-centered and collaborative discipline.

But no need to listen to me; when you can explore our intro to computer science Python course for yourself. So if you're ready, let's dive in!

More Articles

View All
Distillation curves | Intermolecular forces and properties | AP Chemistry | Khan Academy
[Instructor] In this video, we’re gonna dig a little bit deeper into distillation, and in particular, we’re gonna learn how to construct and interpret distillation curves. So let’s say we’re trying to distill roughly 50 milliliters. That is 50% methyl a…
Ratios on coordinate plane
We are told that a baker uses eight cups of flour to make one batch of muffins for his bakery. Complete the table for the given ratio. So they’re saying that for every batch, he needs eight cups of flour, or he needs eight cups of flour for every batch. …
ATP synthase | Cellular energetics | AP Biology | Khan Academy
In this video, we’re going to talk about what is arguably my favorite enzyme, and that is ATP synthase. You might be able to predict from its name what it does: it synthesizes ATP. Now, you’ve probably seen it before. We saw it when we looked at respirat…
Why & How Capitalism Needs to Be Reformed
I see populism as people rising up to reject their leadership. Now, it’s a bad thing. Yes, that they’re not willing to accept the results. I agree with your definition. I agree with your definition. And then also at the same time that that’s happening, t…
So, you're a lone wolf?
For a long time, I’ve been identifying myself as a loner. I saw myself as someone who functions better and is also happier when in solitude. I wore this label proudly and even named my channel after my self-proclaimed loner status. I aspired to be as soli…
Wines for a Dragon Kevin O'Leary's Interview with Renowned Wine Expert Natalie MacLean
Kevin O is best known as the prickly Merchant of Truth on CBC’s Dragon Den as well as on ABC’s Shark Tank. He’s also built a software company that was acquired for more than $4 billion and now runs OIR Funds, an investment firm with assets of more than $1…