Content Update: Introducing Khan Academy’s new Intro to Computer Science course with Python

The Khan Academy team is excited to announce the release of our new Intro to Computer Science course, which teaches the fundamentals of programming in Python. This course is packed with innovative features and engaging content, making it an ideal addition to beginner computer science classrooms. Here’s why this course is a game-changer for both educators and learners.

What’s New and Unique?

Our new course introduces students to programming through a series of projects that demonstrate the exciting ways programming can be applied to real-world problems. From building recommendation engines, to modeling infectious diseases, to templating web pages, students will build a diverse portfolio of projects that address relevant, real-world issues. Each unit presents a new theme like simulations, data science, or game design, so that every student can find a motivation they connect with.

Drawing from a decade of industry experience, this course focuses on the practical problem solving, collaboration, and program design skills that students will need outside of the classroom. It spirals in debugging strategies, code readability conventions, and design patterns, so that students learn not only how to write code that works, but how to write quality, future-proof code that can be used by others. The course also includes a rare program design video series, where students work alongside a professional software engineer as they break down problems, define user requirements, and develop working prototypes.

How This Course Supports Learners

Our modular programming challenges are designed to meet students at their individual learning edges, providing scaffolded instructions and continuous, automated feedback to ensure all students can progress without getting stuck. In addition, each challenge offers several open-ended extensions to spark students’ curiosity and push their knowledge even further.

Our instructional materials inline tons of interactive example programs that students can run, modify, and experiment with to develop a deeper understanding of each concept. Our CS community allows learners to seek help from expert volunteers, get inspired by others, and showcase their own creations in our program gallery.

Why Educators Should Consider This Course

Khan Academy’s Intro to Computer Science course is designed to get students coding from the very first lesson. Our custom web-based development environment provides all the necessary tools for writing, running, and debugging code, eliminating the need for time-consuming setup. This seamless user experience works across devices, allowing students to continue their learning on laptops, tablets, or mobile devices, whether they’re in school or at home.

Educators will also benefit from our extensive library of practice materials that build students’ skills incrementally. Each new concept begins with a code reading exercise that helps students trace program execution and translate requirements into code. Then, students apply the concept in a scaffolded programming challenge, and finish with an open-ended project that encourages creative exploration. Every challenge and project also includes bonus extensions that provide additional opportunities for practice and group discussion.

By integrating this course into your curriculum, you can provide students with the foundational skills they need to excel in computer science and beyond. Engage your students with real-world applications, foster their problem-solving abilities, and prepare them to become responsible digital citizens. Khan Academy’s Intro to Computer Science course with Python is your new go-to resource for teaching coding in an engaging, interactive, and efficacious manner. Get ready to inspire the next generation of programmers!

For any questions or assistance with signing up for the course, feel free to reach out to our support team. We're here to help!

Kim
Sr. Computer Science Content Creator
Khan Academy