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Introduction to Python: A Guided Beginner Course

Small steps. Useful code. Growing confidence.

Welcome to Introduction to Python. Learn to read, run, change, and explain small Python programs, one guided notebook at a time.

No programming experience needed. Bring your curiosity. Mistakes are part of learning.

Start your first lesson Get set up in 5 minutes

For instructors: adopt or adapt · Install locally

Beginner-friendly About 12 guided hours Learn at your pace

welcome.ipynb
In [1]:
name = "Ama"
hours = 12
print(f"Hi {name}, {hours} hours to Python!")

What will this print? Make a guess, then run it.

Out:Hi Ama, 12 hours to Python!
Every lesson works like this: predict, run, then explain.

A friendly place to begin

  1. Read and predict

    Take a small example. Think about what it will do before running it.

  2. Run and explore

    Open the notebook in Binder, change one value, and notice what happens.

  3. Test and explain

    Compare your result with your prediction. Explain what you learned in your own words.

Your notebook is your practice space

Read lessons and copy examples here. Use each lesson’s Run in Binder button to write and run Python in your browser, with no account needed. Save a downloaded copy of your work before closing Binder. See other ways to practice.

Your learning path

Start at 00 and work through the lessons in order. The early lessons build confidence with values and decisions; later lessons bring those ideas together in a small, guided project.

On each lesson page, choose Mark this lesson as done to track your progress here. Progress is saved only in this browser, is removed when browser data is cleared, and is not a grade.

Values and decisions Logic, loops and data Functions to project

Module 11 is a light look at where Python can go next. The final project stays small and uses the core skills you have practiced. Read the course map for the full progression and learning outcomes.

See Python run, one step at a time

Try these optional explorers when you reach the matching lesson. Edit the Python, predict what will happen, then use Run and visualize and Next step to follow the code, variable values, and output.

No account is needed. Python loads when you first run an explorer, so an internet connection is needed and the first run may take a moment. These are optional practice, with no extra submission.

Optional companion textbook

Python Foundations by Isaac K. Nti is available on Amazon. Purchasing the book is optional; the lessons, notebooks, and interactive explorers remain freely accessible.

Download the textbook companion files (ZIP). The OER's Zenodo DOI identifies the repository archive and included files, not a separate publication of the book.

Help is part of learning

Notebook basics · Troubleshooting · Using AI responsibly · Project expectations

Beginner glossary · Accessibility and access options

These open educational resources are available for instructors to reuse and adapt. Teaching guide · Licensing and attribution

Cite this OER on Zenodo · Archived version 1.0.1. The archive includes the learning resources and textbook companion files; it is not a separate publication of the textbook.

Grading guidance · Mid-course check-in · Optional peer learning · Optional stretch prompts

Instructors can adapt these supports to replace existing practice or reflection, not add assignments. Stretch prompts are never required for full credit.

This author-maintained OER is not an official university course or credit-bearing offering. Its OER learning outcomes describe the materials, not institutional catalog requirements. Author affiliation does not imply institutional endorsement. See licensing and attribution for reuse terms and exclusions.