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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Programming for Everybody (Getting Started with Python) by University of Michigan

4.8
stars
229,642 ratings

About the Course

This course aims to teach everyone the basics of programming computers using Python. We cover the basics of how one constructs a program from a series of simple instructions in Python. The course has no pre-requisites and avoids all but the simplest mathematics. Anyone with moderate computer experience should be able to master the materials in this course. This course will cover Chapters 1-5 of the textbook “Python for Everybody”. Once a student completes this course, they will be ready to take more advanced programming courses. This course covers Python 3....
Highlights
High quality instructor

(1484 Reviews)

Introductory course

(4203 Reviews)

Top reviews

AB

Aug 23, 2020

Great introduction to Python and programming as a whole. Everything is broken down making it easy to understand. Had zero programming experience before and this class made it easy and fun to get into.

YN

Oct 14, 2017

This course is organized and explained very well. It is moderately challenging, and I recommend it to get interested in Python. The teacher and the assistant staff are very good. I enjoyed the course.

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76 - 100 of 10,000 Reviews for Programming for Everybody (Getting Started with Python)

By Sayed a S

Oct 22, 2022

Hello, I am Sayed Abbas Shah from Pakistan. I get enrolled in this course through financial aid. I enjoy this course too much and the way Mr. chuck deliver the lecture was too fun. I love this course.

By George L

Feb 29, 2016

Excellent for a beginner!! Professor Severance follows a very smooth and efficient method of teaching that reduces anxiety and increases passion for learning!! Recommended to anyone starting Python!!!

By Jeff W

Sep 7, 2017

Coming at this with no experience in coding at all, this course was extremely difficult. I think the most difficult part of this class was following the videos. The reason is because real world uses weren't given very often. I struggled with motivation nearing the end of this course because the examples in the videos focused on the "what" the code does and not so much the "why." Because of this, the usefulness of some of the discussed functionalities in python are still unknown to me. To remedy that, I would recommend the exercises in the videos reflect what will be done in the assignments, at least to some degree. I couldn't help but get hung up on what "zork" had to do with anything (among a few other examples), or why I would ever need to find the largest letter in a phrase like "hello world." In fact, I think my biggest struggle going through this course was fighting thoughts like, "what am I going to use this for?" I would like to see more content related to solving real world problems, even if it's just in the bonus content.

Overall, while it was very difficult, I really do recommend this course to others, and in fact I already have recommend it to two of my friends. The instructor seems like a really awesome guy, he's easy to listen to, and overall he's the kind of teacher than any student would love to have.

By L S

Jan 3, 2020

NB: I audited this course so did not get feedback on assignments. If you are a true beginner, and have no programming or computer experience whatsoever this course is for you. Dr. Severance explains the concepts VERY well using great metaphors and he's quite engaging. However, he takes an incredibly long time to do this and uses many many words and there are many mostly irrelevant videos. If you have any coding experience at all, you might find it better to download python and the free book (which is written in the same engaging style using the same conceptual metaphors) and go at your own pace. The book is really really fabulous and you don't have to listen to the lectures at 1.5 speed waiting for something useful.

By Annachiara K

Aug 15, 2017

If you have taken a C++ course in your life, it will take a 4-5 hors to finish this class. More exercises would compensate the low path of the course.

By Serova R

Mar 9, 2021

Очень маленький курс для своей цены, задания практически полностью копируют то, что было сказано в видео и делаются очень быстро, курс проходится за один вечер, хотелось бы более интересных задач и больше задач

By Abd K

Mar 24, 2022

I took this course and I had really little python programming experience. This course is below basic, i skipped all the videos and managed to pass all the assingments. So I am not going to rate the lecturers because to be fair I haven't watached any of his videos. I really completed this course in around two hours(only doing the assingment).. so it tells you a lot about the quantity of materials this course has to offer... , and the assignments are like this:

some are: 10 questions 4 answer chocieses tests - which are ok but what's funny is that they are graded and I don't think they are worth it.. programming excerses: you will need to write short programs. the longest one will take you 5-10 minutes if you have some experience (reallly basic experience) in coding.

if you really combine all of the exercises(and i mean if you comine all of the exercises) they would be the equivilant of 1/2 of a howework assignment 1 at university that would be just an introductroy assignmernt that will check your ability to write basic code in the python programming langauge before moving on to next assigments that will actually require some work...

The amount of study material is a joke, I haven't read any exepct for one section . it was given as a 10 min to ready but it's really takes like half a minute.

This is not a university level course not even close.. I'm not even sure if this couse is even worth1/20 of what a university course is like (and 1/20 really might be too genrous it could be like 1/40 as well or worse) and that really sums of most what i want to say. So far I have done only this course , but gudging by this one I don't think completing this specializing will prepare you to become anwhere near a qualified python programmer...

overall this course whole course should be like unit 1 of 12 of a university course and introductoty assignement number 0.5. It should cost something like 1$.

By Tony F

Mar 22, 2019

This class served as not only my introduction to Python, but to programming in general. For whatever reason, programming can seem like a daunting task to people, including me. However, Professor Severance had a casual, yet confident attitude that made each week feel like an approachable game that happens to be very useful. I didn't expect to have a great time watching the lectures, but I did. Obviously, I'm not very advanced yet with programming, but it seemed to me Professor Severance was great at anticipating faulty habits or inclinations and nipping those in the bud for us beginners. He has well-constructed examples to explain his points without making them overly complex. In short, I think the title of the course is apt; it does a good job at making Python understood by everybody who is interested to learn. Thanks for the solid foundation!

By Salma M

Jun 25, 2024

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Dr. Chuck and Coursera for the "Python for Everybody" course. Dr. Chuck is a brilliant instructor whose teaching style makes it incredibly easy to absorb the material, even for someone with no prior experience in Python. His lectures are clear, engaging, and well-structured. I was able to pass every test with ease, which is a testament to Dr. Chuck's exceptional ability to deliver complex concepts in an understandable manner. I look forward to attending more of his lectures in the future. Thumbs up to Dr. Chuck for arranging such an excellent course with outstanding tests. Long live Dr. Chuck!

By David M

Sep 8, 2019

Great course! I always thought of programming as a too-difficult-and-complex thing for me; now I want to learn more. Thank you Dr Charles Severance for explaining everything in such an affordable way.

By Nimit R

Aug 19, 2018

Very well explained the concepts of programming in the context of Python and that too with good fun. Love you Chuck

By mohammed t

Jan 9, 2022

The course was great but not all the things that I'll need is in this course so I have to go on YouTube and learn more. But Anyway the course was helpful

By Chigozie. J A

Mar 31, 2023

I am writing this review with deep regret for my wasted efforts trying if you do not have intermediate python experience, don't waste your time starting this course, because it was not designed for the beginner.

It is my opinion that the course material and graded tasks structure and rules are more advanced than what should be posed to entry-level python learners.

the instructor promised the course would be simple and easy to follow, but then each task was out of the scope of simple exercises.

I have taken google courses on Coursera, and I will still take some more, but I will have to quit this at this point and regret the time I have wasted on exercise 3.1

when there is no direct feedback on the course, the least problem you want to create is leaving the learner with an obstacle he cannot find a way to navigate.

By Jacqueline C

Nov 25, 2022

Completed all assignments and quizzes as well as the extra work for the Honors certificate. Instructors refuse to grade Capstone assignment so I can get the certificate even though it is done correctly. It appears University of Michigan is using instructors who don't read the assignment instructions or who do not understand what they are grading. Awful experience. Only way to contact is through message board and the reply time is several days. I would have given a lower rating if I could. I do not recommend this Specialization to anyone and will NEVER take another course for University of Michigan.

By Shaikh S I

Dec 9, 2020

Definitely will not suggest this as there is no help centre which will actually guide you through an issue. I didn't even complete week 2 because these videos don't really teach you about what the commands mean. You'll be better off learning python from a proper teacher. I'm sorry to say that coursera in general is a pretty bad site for learning. Hopefully things get better.

By Mauricio V

Oct 2, 2016

Very simple, very slow. For someone with programming experience it is a drug, for someone new to programing (I am thinking my son) not very captivating.

By Aayush D

Dec 7, 2018

Too easy of a course, completed in a day without much effort... And didn't really get as much out of it as I thought I would.

By Bipulendu H

Apr 13, 2016

It does not worth a penny to spend time in this course.

By Misha S

Feb 18, 2019

Time wasting & rubish

By Safkat A S

Sep 18, 2024

If you’re new to programming and looking for a friendly introduction to Python, "Programming for Everybody (Getting Started with Python)" is a great place to start. This course, led by the approachable and engaging Dr. Charles Severance, is designed to make learning programming as smooth and enjoyable as possible. What’s Good: Perfect for Beginners: This course is aimed at complete newbies, so it starts with the basics and builds up from there. It’s easy to follow, even if you’ve never coded before. Hands-On Learning: You’ll get to practice what you learn right away with fun assignments and quizzes. It’s all about getting your hands dirty and actually writing code. Awesome Instructor: Dr. Severance is a great teacher who explains things in a simple, clear way. His videos are engaging and he breaks down tricky concepts into bite-sized pieces. Helpful Community: There’s a great forum where you can ask questions and get help from fellow learners. It’s nice to have a place to turn when you’re stuck or need a little extra guidance. A Few Things to Note: Pace Might Be Slow for Some: If you have some programming background, the course might feel a bit slow. It’s perfect for beginners, but if you’re looking for something more advanced, you might need to look elsewhere or supplement with extra material. Occasional Tech Glitches: Some students have run into minor technical issues with the course platform, like video playback problems or interactive exercises acting up. These are usually fixed quickly, but it can be a bit annoying when it happens. Limited Instructor Interaction: While there’s a lot of community support, direct interaction with Dr. Severance is limited. More personalized feedback would be a nice addition. Final Thoughts: Overall, "Programming for Everybody (Getting Started with Python)" is a fantastic starting point if you’re new to coding. It’s friendly, engaging, and gives you a solid foundation in Python. It might not dive deep into advanced topics, but it sets you up well for further learning. If you’re just starting out, this course is definitely worth checking out!

By ghamdan A

Dec 17, 2023

I recently completed the educational course, and I must say it exceeded my expectations in terms of its usefulness for beginners and its positive impact on crafting an impressive CV. The course is structured in a way that caters to individuals with varying levels of familiarity with the subject matter. As a beginner, I found the content to be incredibly accessible and well-paced. The instructors did an excellent job of breaking down complex concepts into digestible modules, making it easy for me to grasp fundamental principles. One of the standout features of the course is its practical approach. Instead of just theoretical knowledge, the curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning experiences and real-world applications. This not only helped solidify the concepts but also allowed me to develop practical skills that I could immediately apply in a professional setting. The CV enhancement aspect of the course is a game-changer. The instructors provide guidance on how to effectively showcase the newly acquired skills and knowledge on a CV. This is invaluable for someone like me who is entering a new field or looking to transition careers. The course provides templates and tips that helped me tailor my CV to highlight my newfound expertise, making me a more competitive candidate in the job market. Furthermore, the support from the course community and instructors was commendable. There were ample opportunities for interaction, whether through discussion forums, live Q&A sessions, or peer collaboration. This sense of community fosters a conducive learning environment, making the educational journey both engaging and collaborative. In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend this educational course to beginners seeking a comprehensive and practical learning experience. The combination of accessible content, hands-on learning, and CV enhancement guidance sets it apart as an excellent choice for anyone looking to kickstart their educational journey and boost their professional profile.

By Oleksandr B

Apr 6, 2023

I liked this course and did not like it at the same time. Nevertheless, this is a great course! Many thanks and many kudos to Charles Severance!

What I liked:

- It is simple! You really do not need to know either math or have a programming background to complete this course. Therefore, it is really for everybody.

- The course contains a lot of very nice optional materials, which actually keep high engagement with the course.

- VERY detailed explanations, therefore if one does not understand how it works from the beginning, he/she/they can find all detailed explanations and LEARN.

What I did not like:

- Sometimes too many words around the key topic, to approach the essence of the message. Therefore I was sometimes lost in these explanations, while the essence was simple and I could capture it by just doing the exercise. But this is specific of my personal perception.

What to improve:

Probably it is better to use shorter messaging and shorter direct explanations. Nevertheless, the analogies used were fun.

As a conclusion:

If you want to start with Python, I definitely recommend this course. It has incredibly low threshold to understand and complete it, while addressing quite complex concepts in a very entertaining and simple way.

By Samin Y H

Apr 19, 2020

I just loved the instructor!!!

I loved the way he teaches, he taught some deep topics very easily. It was very simplified and examples were so relatable and the way he made me understand the codes, I just started to fall in love with programming !

After this course, I am not only clear with the algorithms and control flow but also I have learned many techniques to easily code.

I have got a free book, with this course, which is the easiest programming book I have ever read!!!

I tried to code by my self after learning a topic, I gave myself some problems and solved by myself which gave me confidence.

In this course I have learned about basic programming, overview of python, hardware and software relations,hardwere overview,variables,conditionals,function,user defined function,loop and control statement and so on.

By John D

Nov 19, 2018

This course is very basic, teaching you fundamental sequential, conditional, and looping expressions of Python. The materials are assembled and arranged very nicely. If you are curious how this course translate to the undergraduate course that can be taken in some best Universities, well this course is roughly like 1/4 of the materials that is covered in an undergraduate Python course. The whole series of five courses here on Coursera probably count towards one undergraduate course in a prestigious school such as Carnegie Mellon University. Though this course is very good, explaining the basic materials very well, this course alone cannot make you a real Python programmer. You probably need to register the whole specialization to have a entry level feel of a Python programmer

By Sartaj J C

Apr 2, 2020

Well Python, though was the first programming language that I ever picked up to learn when I was in my high school, I didn't continue coding in python(regretfully) after finishing cover to cover two books 1) Head First Python by O'Reilly Publications ; 2) How to think like a computer scientist: using python. After a long break I started learning Java when I started studying Computer Science at university and after coding in Java for almost two years and learning a lot of data structures and algorithms and implementing them using Java, I totally forgot how to write Python codes so this was a very good quick, informative and adequate revision. I feel like a Pythonista already. Going to continue the second part of this course too. Thank you !!