Hi, Greg Wilson is the one to answer, but here is my recollection of the history. (Apologies if I got that all wrong, Greg…)
"Programming with Python” <http://swcarpentry.github.io/python-novice-inflammation> was built with a philosophy to get the learner to achieve something useful, in this case some visualisation, as early as possible in the lesson/workshop. Inspiration came from the Media Computation approach developed by Mark Guzdial (if I am not mistaken), see Porter et al: “Success in Introductory Programming: What Works?” <https://carpentries.github.io/instructor-training/files/papers/porter-what-works-2013.pdf> However, not many people know what that inflammation data is about, and many felt the approach did not work optimally - there is a lot of ‘magic' happening in the beginning - Numpy and Numpy arrays, 2D slicing and plotting all come in the first episode. Greg then set out to develop a lesson that is more along the lines of ’teach concepts, and apply them, in an increasing order of complexity and usefulness’. This became "Plotting and Programming with Python” <http://swcarpentry.github.io/python-novice-gapminder/>. See the design rationale here: http://swcarpentry.github.io/python-novice-gapminder/design/ <http://swcarpentry.github.io/python-novice-gapminder/design/>. This lesson still needs some work to become fully mature (if I am not mistaken). Hope that helps! Lex > On 21 May 2019, at 10:43, Valters, Declan A. <[email protected]> wrote: > > Hi all, > > Does anyone know the origin/philosophy behind the two separate Python core > lessons in the software carpentry workshops: i.e. "Programming with Python" > vs "Plotting and Programming with Python". Understand the latter is aimed at > Jupyter users specifically, and introduces Pandas early on rather the Numpy, > but it also has slightly different content in other ways too. > > Or if anyone has experience in teaching both of them and can offer their > thoughts/feedback? > > (Did spend some time searching the github issues and swc site to see if there > was any fundamental reason/motivation for having the two separate courses.) > > Cheers, > Declan > > > This email and any attachments are intended solely for the use of the named > recipients. If you are not the intended recipient you must not use, disclose, > copy or distribute this email or any of its attachments and should notify the > sender immediately and delete this email from your system. > UK Research and Innovation has taken every reasonable precaution to minimise > risk of this email or any attachments containing viruses or malware but the > recipient should carry out its own virus and malware checks before opening > the attachments. UK Research and Innovation does not accept any liability for > any losses or damages which the recipient may sustain due to presence of any > viruses. > Opinions, conclusions or other information in this message and attachments > that are not related directly to UK Research and Innovation business are > solely those of the author and do not represent the views of UK Research and > Innovation. > > The Carpentries <https://carpentries.topicbox.com/latest> / discuss / see > discussions <https://carpentries.topicbox.com/groups/discuss> + participants > <https://carpentries.topicbox.com/groups/discuss/members> + delivery options > <https://carpentries.topicbox.com/groups/discuss/subscription>Permalink > <https://carpentries.topicbox.com/groups/discuss/Tce92361a8c9f8279-M5f61effb87f6896baac47970> ------------------------------------------ The Carpentries: discuss Permalink: https://carpentries.topicbox.com/groups/discuss/Tce92361a8c9f8279-M0e23b37d71fc08ce03f28e73 Delivery options: https://carpentries.topicbox.com/groups/discuss/subscription
