Course Spotlight: how to set up an Introduction to Python course

Mastering Python Programming in Business

Designing an introductory programming course tailored for business applications requires a blend of foundational knowledge and practical application. We spoke with Edward Hartono, an assistant professor in Management Information Systems at the Alfred Lerner College of Business & Economics, part of the University of Delaware. He told us about his approach to teaching Introduction to Programming in Python, offering valuable guidance for educators aiming to balance technical skill development with real-world business applications.

Course Objectives and Structure

Edward Hartono’s course focuses on building programming skills in Python. The primary learning objective is to make students comfortable writing code and tackling various programming challenges confidently. “I want to make sure that they have a strong foundation so that they can confidently use programming skills in more advanced classes and real-world applications, like when they do an internship" Hartono explains.

Assessment Strategy and Assignments

Hartono emphasizes the importance of regular practice through frequent assessments. His course includes an assessment in every class, amounting to several throughout the term. "I believe practice makes perfect. If they just do all of the assignments, they'll get something out of it," he notes. These assessments are primarily formative, focusing on smaller bits and pieces of knowledge. However, towards the end of each module, Hartono assigns more comprehensive tasks that pull together all the learned concepts, serving as summative assessments.