> Hello Mark, 

> My name is Frodo Baggins and I am a student in your
> Tuesday and Thursday 9:30-10:45 Introduction to Computing class. After
> class today I must express that I feel a little lost. I am totally new to
> programming and it feels like we should already know Python. 

  Yes, I rushed and should have just waited on the hours, minutes and
  seconds until the big football game starts problem until the 
  Thursday class!  The last 15 minutes of class should have
  been more laying the groundwork for that with review of Monday
  lab circles example (from lab and book).  See longer note below too!

  SHOULD ALREADY KNOW PYTHON!!!!  Hello.  This class has no prereqs!
  It is assumed you have never programmed before in ANY LANGUAGE.
  The class is to learn programming and learn Python!

  The only thing assumed today was that you saw and typed in some
  Python statements on Monday in lab.  Some of those statements
  you will really understand after doing another two weeks of
  class and your first programming assignment!

  It takes repeated exposure and practice and experience.
  Do NOT be afraid of confusion.  But I will try to slow down and not
  rush!

> I am taking a course to help me with my understanding of Python and 
> reading Chapter 1 as we were instructed. I will continue to read 
> the chapter and take the course to further my understanding of Python, 
> but in class if we could slow down slightly, to explain how we got 
> the answer that would be great. 

  I do not even assume that everyone has the textbook yet.
  By next week, by the END of the 2nd week, everyone should have
  the textbook from bookstore or delivered from amazon or whereever!

  Again, sorry I rushed things today and did not hold off on the 
  handout exercise (Hours, Minutes, Seconds input and Seconds output
  problem) until THURSDAY's class!  My mistake, but no worries.

  Also, there may be a student or two adding the class later this week
who missed lab #1 and class #1.  They should have no problem catching up.

  The more questions you or others ask DURING CLASS too, will be very
beneficial.  VERY HELPFUL for the entire class and the teacher!
             ------------

> Just more of why we are adding in the strings where and why. Maybe after this
> week I could meet up with you individually to help me. I have spoken with
> a few other students and they feel a little concern as well. I appreciate
> your patience. 

  Anytime you need extra help and appointment will be great and helpful
for me as a teacher for knowing which things are confusing.

  The lecture review pages for each class session should HELP you too.
Especially if you read and take notes and try things as you review
a class.  Try things in IDLE and with Python.  Play with examples.
Experiment.  Practice, practice, practice.

> Thanks!
> Frodo 

Hello Frodo,

    Thanks for the feedback.  I will slow down a bit, for sure.  Lots of stuff we did today you will see again and again for the next 3 classes and we will go
into depth covering a few examples statement by statement like the book does.

    And for sure, I will explain HOW we got the answer.  Ran out of time today, and that exercise you did will be covered for another 15 to 30 minutes
on Thursday.  I should have waited until Thursday to start it! Instead of 
looking at the clock and thinking oh my gosh, only 15 minutes left, better 
get that done NOW!

    1. I should have used and I did need 15 more minutes to 
       go over the Monday lab circumference and area circles example (in 
       textbook too),

    2. Quickly review the Tuesday class on Thursday,

    3. Then give out handout ON THURSDAY on number of seconds until start of
       the football game exercise.  And have and give more class time 
       to TRY TO solve  the problem that was handed out.
       First by yourself, then second consulting with others at your table to
       help and be helped and compare your solutions.  And get hints
       from teacher as needed for each table and/or entire class.

    4. Then go over the solution as a class and compare several different
       approaches.
    
    I must remember to remind the class that it has NO PREREQUISITES.
You certainly do not need to KNOW Python or know about programming
to take or be in the class.  I will assume on Thursday that everyone has
one lecture period class experience with Python, which does NOT mean
you understand even what you were presented so far yet!

    Again, everything we did on Monday in lab was covered in the textbook
in depth, but I also am aware that not all students have the textbook yet 
too!  

    Look at the lecture and class review later tonight for today's class.
It should help along with Thursday's class experience.  Generally, you will
understand things only after repeated exposures and after doing labs
and outside class programming assignments.  But give me feedback in class or by email or office visits after class anytime!

    Thanks,

    Mark