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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Introduction to Computer Programming by University of London

4.1
stars
866 ratings

About the Course

This MOOC provides you with the foundational skill set required to write computer programs. If you are interested in learning how to write interactive, graphical programs from an introductory level in a real programming language, this is the course for you. You will begin by learning the basics of editing and running programs. Then you will learn how to create 2D graphics using shapes and coordinates. Finally, you will learn how to create interactive graphics that you can control with the mouse. You will even solve a set of interactive puzzles using your coding skills in the Sleuth game which has been created especially for this course. The course uses the Javascript language and the p5.js library....

Top reviews

BS

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Very challenging (which is good!) But at times.. hard to follow. Definitely establishes the most basic skills that a programmer needs: Patience, Problem-solving, Research, Flexibility, and Flow.

DR

Invalid date

Muy buen curso.

Aprendes las bases necesarias para dibujar en un canvas. Lo demás se puede investigar directamente de la página de referencias de p5.js

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226 - 250 of 292 Reviews for Introduction to Computer Programming

By Jeff M

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Jan 18, 2024

I'm a beginner when it comes to Computer science. I found that the introduction to Computer Programming course is NOT designed for beginners. The first week of the course lacks an introduction to vocabulary and terminology. I find myself constantly stopping to research what the heck they were talking about. Also, the instructors have missed a few KEY instructions when explaining certain things. I got stuck for DAYS because it wasn't working until I went to save my progress at the end of the second day and noticed something finally changed in the preview. It was a lot of wasted time that could have been avoided if the instructor had simply said, "once you have made your edits to the code, hit "save" to view the changes in your preview." Another example is the 'tweet analysis' assignment that instructed me to "uncomment to run the program and re-comment it before moving on to the next one." That apparently had nothing to do with tweets or twitter or anything even remotely similar. There was little to no explanation and once again a lack of understanding the terminology caused a delay of 2 days. I found myself trying to eliminate errors that popped up at the bottom of my page. The instructor didn't have those on his screen so I assumed that was the reason I wasn't seeing a "tweet" or a twitter page. When I still wasn't getting anywhere on the second day, I finally reached out to a friend for help. Turned out all I was supposed to do was backspace "//" and hit save. It took me 2mins to complete once I understood the assignment. The course content and instructions need to be improved in my opinion. Or else don't take the course unless you're already familiar with terminology and have some basic understanding of code editing. Update: I have arrived at the introduction to SLEUTH where the FIRST line in the video is, "I have already opened the sleuth app on my computer. you can find sleuth at the top of your coursera page..." NO I CANNOT BECAUSE IT IS NOT THERE! Honestly, what the heck is going on? This is so frustrating and discouraging. They talk about how we need to code in a state of flow but how can I possibly flow if you don't have everything where you say it will be. Figure it out and get it together. PLEASE! P.S. I don't know if this is a Coursera thing or the course itself but there is no way to reach out to the instructor or other students to discuss things. I took a course on Udemy.com and I was able to play and pause with the spacebar, contact the instructor who got back to me within 24 hours and I was able to post a question on the discussion board and other students helped me. we were even able to direct message each other instead of being completely public on the discussion page. It is a shame these features are not offered here.

By Theofilos J B

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Nov 20, 2020

this course is certainly illuminating and a good introduction to programming. my main criticism of the course is that there is a lack of clear direction in a number of the exercises. All too frequently in this course to complete an exercise you are required to utilize a new skill that has not been covered in any of the videos or readings, this can be quite frustrating and time consuming as it is not necessarily easy to find the answers to certain questions by oneself. the instructors seem to want to chalk this up to coders must be autodidactic, still this is extremely frustrating as there is no professor to give clear answers when they are needed. as a result you will frequently spend far more time than is necessary trudging through an exercise that should take just a few minutes, don't understand why they can't just explain new topics more thoroughly in the videos.

By Alexi S

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Dec 29, 2022

This course does teach the basics of how to read/write in Javascript and gives a basic understanding of programming, however the layout of the entire course is a mess. The final assignment you're required to complete to get your certificate is due 1 week after you start and is located in week 1(even though this is described as a 3 week course). To add to this weeks 2 and 3 contain most of lessons you need to go through before attempting the final assignment, the cherry on top is most of these lessons aren't very specific or outright tell you to figure it out on your own. All of this makes it a nightmares trying to complete the final assignment, by the end it felt like I had just got lucky and guessed my way through instead of understanding what I was supposed to do.

By Dustin R

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Sep 18, 2019

Very good course, maybe a touch more challenging than the absolute beginner would be able to navigate. The Sleuth application is good in concept, though the reading and videos in the same lesson do not provide adequate explanation of all cases. It should be stressed that in order to get a passing grade, the user doesn't need to attempt ALL of the Sleuth application until after further course material. Also, some of the more advanced cases in the Sleuth application could use a bit more guidance and provide examples. The second to last lesson was particularly challenging to figure out, and I've worked in software development for several years now.

By Ivan V

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Nov 24, 2018

The content itself is good, but it's very disorganised. Not sure if it's coursera's fault or the course's but you'll see different deadlines for practice problems depending on the platform (web/mobile), all assignments are due for the first week and when I asked on the forums I got a completely generic answer from one fo the moderators.

Other than that, the videos are very good, well explained and a nice gentle introduction into programming itself and into a programmer's mind. Still recommended, but could use improvements on the presentation.

By Emmanuel M

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Apr 16, 2020

The course is starts in medias res, it plunges you directly into the subject matter, no-frills. The chosen language is also fascinating as it is processing and you work with basic graphics. There is however an issue with the "exam" (which is a programming game). Once finished you get the diploma even if the game is in the second week. In fact, it becomes evident soon after that you're not supposed to finish it immediately, but only with the notions which will be introduced on week 3. The issue is still not fixed.

By Jay B

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Jun 2, 2019

They introduce all the assignments and assign them in week one. It stays red until you complete it and appears under week one in the menu. I struggled (though it wasn't that hard once you get started) all the way through every assignment thinking the entire assignment portal (called sleuth) was just the week one assignment.

When i finished what I thought was week one, it gave me the certificate. So in short, be clear that the Sleuth assignments correspond to certain content each week!!

By Deleted A

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Jan 3, 2021

The professors are so good, But I have faced some problems including the problem that I do what the professor exactly do with brackets but it didn't follow my edits and commands, I don't know if that because he used Mac in his videos or because of the new version of Brackets. That's why I Unenrolled because I couldn't keep on learning. Although they explained so well with no application to me.

By Marcello B

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Feb 25, 2024

Un ottimo corso per imparare le basi semplici della programmazione. L'unica pecca é che per quelli che come me non sanno l-inglese sarebbe ancora meglio se i video fossero doppiati per dare modo di concentrarsi meglio su quello che fanno i professori e non sul leggere i sottotitoli. Comunque un ottimo metodo per imparare cose nuove. Consiglio

By julia r

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May 10, 2020

Sleuth should be at the end of week 3, OR it should be at the very least be made clear that you can jump ahead and do week 2 & 3 to learn what you need to know to go back to Sleuth. Otherwise it was pretty good for beginners. Wish there was more support from teachers/ moderators.

By Howard P (

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Feb 17, 2023

The material is easy to understand. The reason I can only give 3 stars is that the assignments are not very clear. Sleuth assignments are very confusing. If you decided to take this course, make sure to check the discussion forum.

By Turi T

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Oct 7, 2020

I liked the course content, but not the course layout. The "exam" were due only a few days after I signed up and before the material had been covered. It was confusing to say the least.

By Huu T P N

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Aug 23, 2021

The challenging course and interesting design and very enthusiastic lecturers. However, lack of instructions and ambiguity of tasks make the course hard to follow.

By MD.Ualiur R R

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Jul 26, 2020

I didn't like the course. I don't understand the merit of the homework that I needed to perform. Though I completed the course to complete the specialization.

By Sandro C

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Feb 17, 2023

Last assignment was okay, but time consuming in a way that there were many repetitive tasks. It was not logically different, just required boilerplate.

By M s

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Dec 21, 2020

Sometimes questions are too blur to understand. Since the scoring is done automatically, I recommend you to carefully read the question, and folum.

By Dylan G

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Mar 6, 2022

most likely had potential but i cant rap my head around the sketch and co course assignment, select folder does not work

By Nialish M B

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Sep 6, 2019

Assignments are good.But there should be more teaching material required which helps us to complete our assignment.

By Jacob M H

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Feb 6, 2020

The course was taught well, however the weeks were scheduled incorrectly. Week 1 should have been week 3.

By Gianna R O

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Feb 8, 2022

The instructions on the tasks need to be more clear. If you like to read and solve things, it's good.

By dee c

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Dec 17, 2021

The course would be enjoyed more by those really interested in Graphics Designing.

By Gariman S

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Aug 9, 2020

I feel the course wasn't well organised and not much interactive.

By JIGNESH P

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Aug 31, 2020

In this course need a improvement much needed improvement.

By Baljot S

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Apr 8, 2022

Could use more insruction for sleuth

By Shrunal

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May 21, 2021

misleading assignment date