Teaching Python Programming with Strype

A novel tool to teach and learn python programming

Strype is a brand-new tool developed by researchers from the KCL-Programming Educational Tools group at King’s College London to facilitate the learning of Python programming. The team, as part of the Computing Education Research Centre activities, is offering two in-person workshops for schoolteachers and school-level educators to explore Strype and get first-hand insider knowledge about this exciting new tool. Visit our website for more information and to sign up for one of the workshops being held in November and December this year.

Learning a new computer language is often a challenging task for learners. Block-based programming languages, like Scratch, were specifically designed to help beginners with their first steps into coding. These visual programming languages allow you to create programs by dragging and dropping blocks, thereby helping you to understand the basic concepts and building blocks of coding, while shielding you from the hassles of syntax errors and indentation. However, these languages lack flexibility and are not typically used beyond an education setting.

Python, on the other hand is a powerful text-based programming language that is widely used in different contexts around the world. Python allows not only functional, but also object-oriented and procedural programming, rendering it very useful in many applications, including data science and machine learning applications. Python is also a popular programming language for education in England¹. Yet, when you’re new to programming, it can be easy to make syntax and indentation errors, which create problems in the code that can be hard to spot, therefore resulting in a frustrating learning experience.

Strype is a new frame-based Python programming environment running in a web browser that is freely accessible to all and helps learners progress and avoid frustrations. Through its unique frame-based editor, Strype combines some of the advantages of block-based and visual programming languages, while maintaining the text-based features that make Python so flexible. Effectively working as a bridge between the two types of programming, Strype keeps the ability to drag and drop frames and use keyboard shortcuts, while allowing learners to type in statements freely, thereby allowing more advanced and in-depth programming.

Frames in Strype are designed to prevent grammatical errors and maintain code structure integrity, which means that you can type in statements without having to struggle with many of the typical syntax errors or worrying about indentation. For example, the frame-based editor automatically completes paired symbols like parentheses or quotations. Instead of spending time overcoming these frustrating stumbling blocks, new learners can concentrate on solving the actual problem at hand. The confidence gained in the process creates an environment where new learners can effectively explore the complexity and flexibility of Python. At the same time, through being exposed to the proper syntax learners can absorb these aspects implicitly, which will help with the transition into Python.

The Strype developers, Dr Pierre Weill-Tessier, Dr Neil Brown and Professor Michael Kölling, are offering two in-person workshops on Monday 25^th November and Tuesday 10^th December at King’s College London. Participants will engage in pedagogical discussions and explore hands-on programming examples that can be used directly in the classroom. The workshops are free to attend, and refreshments will be provided. For more information and details on how to apply, please visit our website.

¹After the reboot: computing education in schools