course4teen

Before every class

Prepare for class.

Set up once, check you are ready in under a minute before each session, and update the Course Kit when a new one is out. No Git client and no GitHub account are needed.

On Windows? Follow the one step-by-step Windows setup guide for WSL, Ubuntu, VS Code, the Course Kit, and updates.

Am I ready?

The one-minute check before every class

Open Ubuntu (Terminal on a Mac) and run:

cd ~/explore-studio-course
source .venv/bin/activate
python3 check-my-computer.py
  • The summary says Course tools: … (current) and the last line says READY FOR EXPLORE STUDIO.
  • pwd ends with explore-studio-course.
  • Your session's Trail command opens and closes.

SETUP HELP NEEDED? Follow the arrow under each [help] line, or send the summary lines to your teacher before class.

Two folders

Course Kit and your world

  • ~/explore-studio-course: the Course Kit and its .venv. Replaceable.
  • ~/my-explore-world: your own work. Never delete it.

Run lesson commands from ~/explore-studio-course with its .venv active. Save your own work in ~/my-explore-world. On Windows both live in the Ubuntu home folder, never under /mnt/c.

Course Kit

Download and install

Unzip it so the folder is exactly ~/explore-studio-course, then install the course tools once:

cd ~/explore-studio-course
python3 -m venv .venv
source .venv/bin/activate
python -m pip install -r requirements-student.txt
python3 check-my-computer.py

Open the course in VS Code with code . from ~/explore-studio-course. On Windows, the bottom-left corner must say WSL. The Windows setup guide shows how to move the ZIP from Windows Downloads into Ubuntu.

Get a newer Course Kit

Replace the Course Kit, keep your world

When your teacher hands out a newer Course Kit, or your Course Kit version differs from the one above, follow Get a newer Course Kit before class. In short:

  • Move the old folder aside (mv explore-studio-course explore-studio-course-old), unzip the new one, make a fresh .venv, install, and check.
  • Never unzip on top of the old Course Kit.
  • Lesson files you edited inside the Course Kit are replaced. ~/my-explore-world is never touched.
  • Delete the old copy only after the check says READY.

Something looks wrong?

Check your setup before your code

  • If the Trail looks different from the class slides, run the Am I ready? check first. An out-of-date Course Kit or course tools can look exactly like a bug.
  • COURSE TOOLS OUT OF DATE? From the Course Kit with .venv active, run the command below. A plain rerun of the install keeps the old version.
python -m pip install --force-reinstall -r requirements-student.txt

Still stuck? Email [email protected] with the check's summary lines before your session.

Computer requirements

What the computer needs

Python
3.11 or newer
Memory (RAM)
8 GB minimum
Free storage
5 GB minimum
Internet
Stable connection
Microphone
Required
Webcam
Recommended
Headphones
Recommended
  • Windows: Windows 11 with WSL 2 and Ubuntu. Run every course command in the Ubuntu terminal, not PowerShell.
  • macOS: Supported directly, in the Terminal app.
  • Phone, tablet, or Chromebook: Not supported as a primary coding device. A supported computer with a physical keyboard is required.
  • Download check-my-computer.py (36 KB)

    Test a computer before installing the course. Your browser saves the file in your Downloads folder. It never asks for a password or an account.

    Windows: in Ubuntu, copy it home and run it. Replace YOUR-WINDOWS-NAME with your folder name from the ls list.

    cd ~
ls /mnt/c/Users/
cp /mnt/c/Users/YOUR-WINDOWS-NAME/Downloads/check-my-computer.py ~
python3 check-my-computer.py --computer-only

    Mac: in Terminal, run it from Downloads.

    cd ~/Downloads
python3 check-my-computer.py --computer-only

New to the course?

Your first session

Start with the S01 slides and check the class calendar for your session date. Your Zoom link and passcode are sent privately by your teacher, never posted on this website.