[#]: collector: (lujun9972) [#]: translator: ( ) [#]: reviewer: ( ) [#]: publisher: ( ) [#]: url: ( ) [#]: subject: (Teach Python with the Mu editor) [#]: via: (https://opensource.com/article/20/9/teach-python-mu) [#]: author: (Don Watkins https://opensource.com/users/don-watkins) Teach Python with the Mu editor ====== Mu makes it easy to learn how to write Python code. ![Hands on a keyboard with a Python book ][1] Teaching kids to code is very popular in schools. Many years ago, in the days of the Apple II and [Logo][2] programming, I learned about turtle graphics. I enjoyed learning how to program the virtual turtle and later helping students to do the same. About five years ago, I learned about [Python's turtle module][3], and it was the segue to my Python journey. Soon, I started using the turtle module to teach students Python programming basics, including using it to create interesting graphics. ### Get started with Python's turtle module On a Linux or macOS computer, you can just open a terminal, enter the word `python`, and you'll see the Python shell. If you are using a Windows computer, you will need to install Python first by going to the Python website and [downloading][4] the latest stable version. Next, import the turtle module into Python with `import turtle `or `import turtle as t`. Then you can start having some fun creating turtle graphics. ### Meet Mu In the early days of my Python adventure, I used [IDLE][5], Python's integrated development environment. It was much easier than entering commands into the Python shell, plus I could write and save programs for later use. I took some online courses and read many excellent books about Python programming. I taught teachers and students how to create turtle graphics using IDLE. IDLE was a big improvement, but at PyConUS 2019 in Cleveland, I saw a presentation by [Nicholas Tollervey][6] that changed the way I learned and taught Python. Nick is an educator who created [Mu][7], a Python editor specifically for young programmers (and even older ones like me). Mu can be installed on Linux, macOS, and Windows. It's easy to use and comes with excellent [documentation][8] and [tutorials][9]. On Linux, you can install Mu from the command line. On Ubuntu or Debian: ``` `$ sudo apt install mu-editor` ``` On Fedora or similar: ``` `$ sudo dnf install mu` ``` Or, you can use Python to do the install. First, ensure you have Python 3 installed: ``` `$ python --version` ``` If that fails, try: ``` `$ python3 --version` ``` Assuming you have Python version 3 or better, install Mu using `pip`, the Python package manager: ``` `$ python -m pip install mu-editor --user` ``` Then you can run Mu from the command line or create a shortcut using: ``` `$ python -m pip install shortcut mu-editor --user` ``` Mu is installed by default on the [Raspberry Pi][10], which is a great plus. In the past couple of years, I have introduced students to the Raspberry Pi and Python programming using the Mu editor. ### How to teach Python with Mu Mu is a great way to show students how easy it is to get started with Python. Here's how I teach my students to start using it. 1. Open the Mu editor. ![Mu editor][11] (Don Watkins, [CC BY-SA 4.0][12]) 2. Enter `import turtle` to import the Turtle module, so you can get the turtle moving. My first lesson is drawing a simple square in Python code. ![Mu editor][13] (Don Watkins, [CC BY-SA 4.0][12]) 3. Save this program, making sure that the file name ends in .py. ![Saving program in Mu][14] (Don Watkins, [CC BY-SA 4.0][12]) 4. Run the program. Running even a simple program like this is energizing—it's fun to see the graphical output of a program you wrote. ![Running Python program in Mu][15] (Don Watkins, [CC BY-SA 4.0][12]) ### Beyond the basics After this simple lesson, I explain that there are some ways to simplify and expand on the basics the students have learned. One is creating a simpler turtle object, `import turtle as t`. Then I introduce a `for` loop as another way to draw a square with the turtle. ![for loops in Python with Mu][16] (Don Watkins, [CC BY-SA 4.0][12]) Next, I show how to create a `my_square` function as another way to draw a square. ![my_square function][17] (Don Watkins, [CC BY-SA 4.0][12]) Later, I expand on this concept by introducing other turtle module methods, including `penup`, `pendown`, and `pencolor`. Soon, my students are developing more complex programs and iterating on them. ![Mu editor][18] (Don Watkins, [CC BY-SA 4.0][12]) I am always eager to learn, and I would love to know how you are teaching Python in school or at home. Please share your experience in the comments. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- via: https://opensource.com/article/20/9/teach-python-mu 作者：[Don Watkins][a] 选题：[lujun9972][b] 译者：[译者ID](https://github.com/译者ID) 校对：[校对者ID](https://github.com/校对者ID) 本文由 [LCTT](https://github.com/LCTT/TranslateProject) 原创编译，[Linux中国](https://linux.cn/) 荣誉推出 [a]: https://opensource.com/users/don-watkins [b]: https://github.com/lujun9972 [1]: https://opensource.com/sites/default/files/styles/image-full-size/public/lead-images/python-programming-code-keyboard.png?itok=fxiSpmnd (Hands on a keyboard with a Python book ) [2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logo_(programming_language) [3]: https://docs.python.org/3/library/turtle.html [4]: https://www.python.org/downloads/windows/ [5]: https://docs.python.org/3/library/idle.html [6]: https://ntoll.org/ [7]: https://codewith.mu/en/download [8]: https://codewith.mu/en/howto/ [9]: https://codewith.mu/en/tutorials/ [10]: https://www.raspberrypi.org/blog/mu-python-ide/ [11]: https://opensource.com/sites/default/files/uploads/mu-1_open.png (Mu editor) [12]: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ [13]: https://opensource.com/sites/default/files/uploads/mu-2_square.png (Mu editor) [14]: https://opensource.com/sites/default/files/uploads/mu-3_save.png (Saving program in Mu) [15]: https://opensource.com/sites/default/files/uploads/mu-4_run.png (Running Python program in Mu) [16]: https://opensource.com/sites/default/files/uploads/mu-5_for-loop.png (for loops in Python with Mu) [17]: https://opensource.com/sites/default/files/uploads/mu-6_my_square.png (my_square function) [18]: https://opensource.com/sites/default/files/uploads/mu-7_beyond-basics.png (Mu editor)