Using Python To Teach Object-Oriented Programming in CS1 (#66)
Dr. Michael H Goldwasser (Saint Louis University) bio; Dr. David Letscher
30min Beginner
categories:
advocacy, education, object orientation
In recent years, Python has made great inroads as an introductory language in computer science education, but few emphasize its object-oriented nature; it is most often introduced with a procedural paradigm. For those teaching object orientation in CS1, Java remains the predominant language.
We suggest that Python is an excellent choice for teaching an object-oriented CS1. Based on our experiences teaching such a course for three years and authoring a textbook ``Object-Oriented Programming in Python'' (http://prenhall.com/goldwasser), we discuss the issues involved in adopting Python for an object-oriented CS1, and the downstream effects on the remaining curriculum.
We suggest that Python is an excellent choice for teaching an object-oriented CS1. Based on our experiences teaching such a course for three years and authoring a textbook ``Object-Oriented Programming in Python'' (http://prenhall.com/goldwasser), we discuss the issues involved in adopting Python for an object-oriented CS1, and the downstream effects on the remaining curriculum.
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