Notebook 02-variables-types-structures

[KevinMurphy806]

I think this notebook lays out the different kinds of variables very well. I think that there could be more in depth information on how to use structures such as dict() or list() since they are used substantially throughout the rest of the course. Having the big blocks of code broken up by the comments is good but there are still sections that get very complicated quickly such as the 'Systematic operation on all elements of periodic_table' cell.

[KeithPorazzo]

Adding on to this, I think that a very quick, 10 minute quiz or so in lab just asking students to recall each of the variable/structure types and show an example of each will encourage them to take the time to really understand exactly what each type does and what it is used for. Mastering these concepts out the door will be key to a deeper understanding of the syntax later. A lot of error messages that hung students up through out the semester was simply not understanding that something was a string when they wanted it to be a value or vice-versa. The grade for the quiz can be easily tied into the lab grade.

[dealmeidavf]

Thanks for the inputs. I will try to have a fake quiz in class and have students answer some questions so they gauge their own level of knowledge with variable types.