Python Step by Step: Learning with AI

📚 An innovative programming textbook that embraces AI as a learning partner. Master Python by learning how to think computationally and direct AI to help you build solutions.

🎯 Overview

This book represents a fundamental shift in how we teach programming in the age of AI. Instead of treating AI as something to avoid, we embrace it as a powerful learning partner. Students learn to think computationally, design solutions, and direct AI to help implement their ideas.

Key Philosophy: "You're the Architect, AI is Your Assistant"

• Concept First: Understand patterns before syntax
• AI as Explorer: Use AI to discover and understand
• Mental Models: Build deep understanding, not just working code
• Progressive Partnership: Evolve from AI explaining concepts to AI implementing your designs

📖 Book Structure

Part 0: Your AI Learning Partnership

• Chapter 0: Understanding Your AI Partner ✅

Part I: Computational Thinking (Weeks 1-4)

• Chapter 1: Input, Process, Output ✅
• Chapter 2: Remembering Things (Variables) ✅
• Chapter 3: Asking Questions (Input) ✅
• Chapter 4: Making Decisions (If Statements) 🚧
• Chapter 5: Doing Things Over and Over (Loops) 📝
• Weekly Projects: Fortune Teller, Mad Libs, Number Game, Rock Paper Scissors

Part II: Building Systems (Weeks 5-8)

• Chapter 6: Creating Your Own Commands (Functions)
• Chapter 7: Organizing Information (Dictionaries)
• Chapter 8: Saving Your Work (Files)
• Chapter 9: When Things Go Wrong (Debugging)
• Weekly Projects: Temperature Converter, Contact List, Journal App, Quiz Game

Part III: Real-World Programming (Weeks 9-12)

• Chapter 10: Planning Before Coding
• Chapter 11: Working with Data
• Chapter 12: Connecting to the Internet (APIs)
• Chapter 13: Making Things Look Nice (GUI Basics)
• Weekly Projects: To-Do List, Weather Checker, Budget Tracker, Drawing App

Part IV: Your Journey Forward

• Chapter 14: You're Ready for Projects!

🚀 Getting Started

Prerequisites

• No programming experience required
• Access to an AI assistant (ChatGPT, Claude, etc.)
• Python installed on your computer
• Enthusiasm to learn!

Building the Book

This book is built using Quarto. To build locally:

# Install Quarto first (see https://quarto.org/docs/get-started/)

# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/yourusername/python-step-by-step-ai.git
cd python-step-by-step-ai

# Preview with live reload
quarto preview

# Build all formats
quarto render

# Build specific format
quarto render --to html
quarto render --to pdf
quarto render --to epub

Output Formats

• 📱 HTML (interactive web version with dark mode)
• 📄 PDF (professional typography for printing)
• 📖 EPUB (optimized for e-readers)

🎓 For Educators

This book is designed for a 12-week introductory programming course. Each week includes:

• Conceptual learning with AI exploration
• Hands-on exercises with 5-level progression
• Weekly projects that reinforce concepts
• Reflection and journaling prompts

The 5-Level Exercise System

1. Concept Recognition - Identify patterns without coding
2. Prompt Engineering - Learn to communicate with AI effectively
3. Pattern Matching - Find concepts in complex code
4. Model Building - Create mental models and visualizations
5. Architect First - Design solutions before implementation

Teaching Approach

• Weeks 1-4: AI as Concept Explorer
• Weeks 5-8: AI as Implementation Assistant
• Weeks 9-12: AI as Code Producer (following student designs)

🤝 Contributing

We welcome contributions! Please see CONTRIBUTING.md for guidelines.

Areas for Contribution

• Additional exercises and projects
• Translations
• Accessibility improvements
• Teaching resources
• Bug fixes and improvements

Style Guide

• Tone: Conversational, encouraging, reality-based
• Code: Simple, clear, extensively commented for beginners
• Exercises: Follow the 5-level system
• AI Examples: Show overcomplicated AI code first, then simplify

📁 Project Structure

python-step-by-step-ai/
├── _quarto.yml          # Main Quarto configuration
├── index.qmd            # Book preface
├── intro.qmd            # Introduction
├── chapter-*.qmd        # Chapter files
├── projects/            # Weekly project files
├── assets/              # CSS, JavaScript, images
├── templates/           # Chapter and exercise templates
├── _extensions/         # Quarto extensions
├── notes/               # Development notes
├── tasks/               # Task management
└── references.bib       # Bibliography

📝 License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.

🙏 Acknowledgments

• Built with Quarto
• Inspired by educators embracing AI in the classroom
• Based on research in AI-assisted learning and constructionist pedagogy
• Special thanks to all contributors and early adopters

📬 Contact

• Issues: Bug reports and feature requests
• Discussions: Teaching experiences and ideas
• Website: https://pythonstepbystep.ai (coming soon)

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"In the age of AI, we're not teaching students to write code. We're teaching them to think computationally and direct AI to bring their ideas to life."