Using Prop comedy to describe data structures in Python.

As a Python Community Coordinator at Research Platform services, I have heaps of competition online for the attention of Researchers interested in learning how to code. I mean check out this link:

http://www.codeconquest.com/blog/the-50-best-websites-to-learn-python/

50 Best? Then how many bad ones are there?

Now this isn’t a bad thing for our community isn’t it, as we have a myriad of ways to learn Python that can be accessed pretty much anywhere.

But why bother coming to our Intro to Python trainings at Resplat? (besides the free tea)

Truth be told, conceptualizing what is going on behind your lines of code can be a bit challenging at first (It definitely was for me). I am very much a visual and kinaesthetic Learner, I like to see the concepts I am learning, touch them, and actually use them in real life, which is a bit hard to do with computer programming. So I thought to myself…. What could we do that the internet can’t do? How can we visualize and manipulate Python data in the real world? While I was brainstorming, I was sitting on my bed, staring at my wardrobe……

and I realized…….

My shoe rack is a list()! So I brought it in to show the class:

Now this isn’t the only visualization, I have also given these data objects backpacks full of methods, and turned my shoe rack into a dictionary as well.

We got to use my shoe dictionary along with if statements to let the computer pick out what shoes I should wear. Here is one of the uh… more interesting examples:

jon_wants_to_run = True runners_full_of_eels = True if jon_wants_to_run == True: if runners_full_of_eels == True: print("%s will do..." %jons_shoes["for pretending to be Rafa"]) else: print("Better put on my %s." %jons_shoes["for running"]) else: print('*thinks about eels*')

Output:

'Tennis Shoes will do'

Consequently, I had to change into my tennis shoes halfway through the class, because I wanted to run, but my runners had eels in them. thats what I get for running in lakes i guess?

So long story short Why are we better than the internet at teaching you Python?

Because we can show you real life analogs representing what is going on behind the scenes in your computer.

But wait there’s more!

You will also get to practice your python skills, with our lovely and talented Team Leads helping you complete every challenge

But wait there’s even more! We are tirelessly working replacing all the text in our modules with memes, and I personally love horrific puns and use them all the time in class.

Exhibit A:

(meme made at imgflip.com)

But wait there is even more than Memes and Puns!

Our services don’t end with the class, you will be joining our community where we can continue to help you grow your Python skill set for research and wherever your career takes you!

Be it meetups, extension courses in Python modules, or just getting to know your fellow colleagues hustling the research game. So…

Are you ready to work smarter and not harder?

For more details on our training events follow the Python community at @Resplat, @GeoGarber and @kflekac