[smj-edison]

I think it's fair for the projects, since when you first write code you're learning to think like a computer. Their AI policy is it's fine to ask it questions and have it explain concepts, but the project assignments need to be done without AI.

The one requirement I think is dumb though is we're not allowed to use the language's documentation for the final project, which makes no sense. Especially since my python is rusty.

Since you mentioned failure to figure out what better teaching methods are, I feel it's my sworn duty to put a plug for https://dynamicland.org and https://folk.computer, if you haven't heard about them :)