Python Workshop at AIAT

-Patchaiyappan, Durai and Tamil

A five-day Python workshop was conducted at AIAT College with the support of experienced software engineers from C3STREAM Land Design IT Industry. Each day, a different software engineer handled the session and introduced the students to Python through simple explanations, practical examples, exercises, and hands-on activities.

The Five-Day Learning Journey

Day 1: Introduction to Python basics, including syntax, variables, data types, strings, and simple data processing examples.

Day 2: Introduction to loops and Python collections, including lists, tuples, sets, and dictionaries, with examples of repeating tasks and organizing data.

Day 3: Introduction to using Python to control a movable machine, detect obstacles, change direction, move about 20 centimetres to the right, and continue towards its destination.

Day 4: Introduction to Python functions and how they divide large programs into smaller, reusable, clear, and efficient sections.

Day 5: Introduction to Python file handling, including creating, opening, reading, writing, and managing files, followed by exercises to assess five days of learning.

Learning Python Through a Movable Machine

From Theoretical Learning to Experiential Learning

The workshop created a shift from learning programming only through definitions and written examples to learning it through practical experience. By using Python to control the Finch Robot, students could immediately observe the results of the instructions they had written.

From Following Instructions to Logical Problem-Solving

The students moved from simply following the trainer’s instructions to thinking about how a machine should respond to a real-world situation. Activities such as detecting an obstacle, changing direction, and continuing towards a destination encouraged them to develop logical thinking, decision-making, creativity, and problem-solving skills.

The trainers encouraged the students to ask questions freely. They listened patiently, responded positively, and clarified the students doubts. This created a safe and supportive learning environment where students were not afraid to make mistakes or seek help.

I also observed the value of commitment. The trainers used their professional knowledge and industrial experience to connect Python concepts with real-world applications.

The students worked together in groups, discussed their ideas, supported one another, and participated actively in the activities. Instead of learning individually, they learned as a team. The cooperation between the trainers, students, and the college created a strong sense of collective learning.

Reflections from Participants

Saranya, It was a valuable learning experience. During the workshop, I learned the basics of Python, including variables, data types, operators, conditional statements, loops, functions, and simple programs. The hands-on practice sessions helped me understand the concepts more clearly. The trainers explained each topic in a simple and interactive way, making it easy to follow. I also learned how Python can be used in different fields such as data analysis, automation, artificial intelligence, and scientific research.

This workshop improved my programming knowledge, logical thinking, and problem-solving skills. It also increased my confidence in writing basic Python programs. Overall, the workshop was informative, practical, and motivated me to continue learning Python and apply it in my academic and future career.

Haripriya, Participating in the five-day Python Programming Workshop was an enriching and enjoyable experience. Before attending the workshop, I had only limited knowledge of programming. Through the sessions, I gained a clear understanding of Python fundamentals such as variables, data types, operators, decision-making statements, loops, functions, and basic coding techniques. The practical exercises helped me improve my coding skills and understand how to solve problems step by step. The workshop also showed me how Python is used in real-world applications, including software development, data science, machine learning, and automation.

One of the most valuable aspects of the workshop was the opportunity to practice coding and learn from mistakes. It improved my logical thinking, analytical ability, and confidence in programming. Overall, the workshop was a rewarding learning experience that inspired me to continue exploring Python and develop my technical skills for future academic projects and career opportunities.

Sivamani, I was also impressed by the AIAT faculty and workshop facilitators. They explained concepts clearly and patiently, making it easy for students to understand and actively participate. The workshops were highly interactive, and students genuinely enjoyed the learning experience.

Anbarasi, I had not learned Python properly before, and when I tried to study it on my own, I found it quite difficult. This Python workshop helped me understand basic functions and syntax more clearly. It also made it easier for me to write  basic programs and identify and fix errors. The workshop was very helpful for my learning. Thank you, Amarnath Sir, for including the Python workshop in the workshop schedule and providing us.

Santhosh, In this workshop I have learned basics to mid-level of python programming and I had a great practice learning experience using robot automation (Finch) and exposure at AIAT.

Reflections from the Trainers

Duraisamy: I taught children how to create a Python function, give it a name, and call it to perform a task.  Teaching them made my own understanding clearer and stronger explaining it simply brought new clarity to what I already knew.

Tamil: The Python workshop for school children was a fun and valuable learning experience. The children actively took part in the activities and showed great interest in coding. They learned basic Python concepts and improved their problem-solving and thinking skills. As a coach for the day, I guided and encouraged them throughout the session. Their enthusiasm and willingness to learn made the workshop successful. It was wonderful to see the students enjoy learning and gain confidence in using technology.

Pachaiyappan : During the workshop, I observed that students are willing to learn new technologies if the learning experience is interesting.