Technology Programming

Introduction to Programming: Build Your First Computing Skills

Learn the core ideas behind coding with Professor Mark Davis in a practical, beginner-friendly American-style course.

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Quick Course Facts
18
Self-paced, Online, Lessons
18
Videos and/or Narrated Presentations
5.9
Approximate Hours of Course Media
About the Introduction to Programming: Build Your First Computing Skills Course

Introduction to Programming: Build Your First Computing Skills is a beginner-friendly course that introduces the essential ideas behind modern Technology and the foundations of coding. You will learn how programmers think, how computers follow instructions, and how to begin writing simple programs with confidence.

Start Learning Programming With Practical First Steps

  • Build a strong foundation in Introduction to Programming without needing prior experience
  • Learn the core ideas behind coding with Professor Mark Davis in a practical, beginner-friendly American-style course.
  • Develop problem-solving habits that help you approach Technology and code more effectively
  • Gain hands-on experience with core concepts like variables, loops, functions, and debugging

Learn the core building blocks of programming, from syntax and logic to debugging and small project creation.

This course is designed to help you move from curiosity to capability by explaining what programming is, why it matters, and how it powers everyday Technology. You will explore how computers execute instructions, how to choose a first programming language, and how to think like a programmer by breaking problems into smaller, manageable steps.

As you progress, you will practice writing expressions, working with variables and data types, and using strings, numbers, and basic operations to make code do useful work. The course also covers conditionals, loops, lists, collections, functions, scope, parameters, and return values so you can begin organizing code in a clean and logical way.

You will also learn how to read error messages, debug your code, test assumptions, and handle input and output in practical ways. By the end, you will build a small program from start to finish and understand the next steps in your programming journey. After completing this course, you will think more clearly about Technology, write your first programs with confidence, and be ready to continue learning with a solid programming foundation.

Course Lessons

Full lesson breakdown

Lessons are organized by topic area and each includes descriptive copy for search visibility and student clarity.

Foundations

3 lessons

Lesson 1: What Programming Is and Why It Matters

18 min Preview
Programming is the process of giving a computer clear instructions so it can perform tasks, solve problems, and automate work. In this lesson, students learn what programming is, how it differs from u…

Lesson 2: How Computers Execute Instructions

18 min
This lesson explains what it means for a computer to execute instructions . Students learn the basic path from a program to machine action: code is read, translated if needed, broken into steps, and c…

Lesson 3: Choosing a First Programming Language

16 min
In this lesson, students learn how to choose a first programming language based on their goals, learning style, and available tools. Professor Mark Davis explains the differences between beginner-frie…

Problem Solving

2 lessons

Lesson 4: Thinking Like a Programmer

20 min
In this lesson, Professor Mark Davis introduces the mindset behind programming: breaking a problem into smaller parts, spotting patterns, and turning vague goals into clear steps a computer can follow…

Lesson 5: Breaking Problems Into Smaller Steps

18 min
In this lesson, you’ll learn a core programming habit: breaking a big problem into smaller steps . Instead of trying to solve everything at once, you’ll practice turning a goal into a clear sequence o…

Core Syntax

3 lessons

Lesson 6: Writing Your First Expressions

20 min
This lesson introduces the core idea of a programming expression: a piece of code that produces a value. Professor Mark Davis shows how to read and write simple numeric expressions, use operators like…

Lesson 7: Variables and Data Types

20 min
In this lesson, Professor Mark Davis introduces the building blocks of programming: variables and data types. You will learn how programmers store information, why names matter, and how different kind…

Lesson 8: Strings, Numbers, and Basic Operations

18 min
This lesson introduces the three building blocks of everyday code: strings , numbers , and basic operations . You will learn how programs store text and numeric data, how to tell them apart, and how s…

Control Flow

2 lessons

Lesson 9: Conditionals and Decision Making

22 min
In this lesson, students learn how programmers make software choose between different paths using conditionals. We focus on the core idea of if statements, comparison operators, and how programs evalu…

Lesson 10: Loops for Repeating Work

22 min
Loops let a program repeat the same set of steps without copying code over and over. In this lesson, you will learn why repetition matters, how to use a loop to run code multiple times, and how to cho…

Data Structures

1 lesson

Lesson 11: Working With Lists and Collections

21 min
In this lesson, students learn how programmers use lists and other collections to store multiple values in one place. They will see how to create a list, read values by position, change items, add and…

Modularity

2 lessons

Lesson 12: Introduction to Functions

22 min
This lesson introduces functions as reusable blocks of code that help programmers organize work, avoid repetition, and make programs easier to read and maintain. Professor Mark Davis explains how func…

Lesson 13: Scope, Parameters, and Return Values

20 min
This lesson explains how programmers make code modular by using scope , parameters , and return values . You will learn how variables can be local or global, how functions receive input through parame…

Debugging

2 lessons

Lesson 14: Reading Error Messages and Debugging

22 min
This lesson teaches a practical way to read programming error messages and turn them into useful clues. Students learn the difference between syntax, runtime, and logic errors, how to locate the line …

Lesson 15: Testing Your Code and Checking Assumptions

18 min
This lesson teaches a practical habit that every programmer needs: test the code you write and question your assumptions . Professor Mark Davis shows how small mistakes can hide in code that looks cor…

Practical Applications

2 lessons

Lesson 16: Working With Input and Output

19 min
This lesson introduces the practical side of programming: how a program receives input , processes it, and sends back output . You will see how keyboards, mouse clicks, and typed text can be used to m…

Lesson 17: Building a Small Program From Start to Finish

25 min
This lesson walks learners through the process of building a small program from start to finish, using a simple example to show how ideas become code. Students will see how to define a goal, break the…

Career Path

1 lesson

Lesson 18: Next Steps in Your Programming Journey

15 min
In this lesson, you will map out what comes after the basics of programming. You will learn how beginners usually move from simple exercises to real projects, how to choose a first language or learnin…
About Your Instructor
Professor Mark Davis

Professor Mark Davis

Professor Mark Davis guides this AI-built Virversity course with a clear, practical teaching style.