Teaching Computing – Building a Chatbot With Python

One of the best ways to make programming engaging for students is to let them create something interactive. A chatbot in Python is an ideal project: it combines coding skills with creativity, and students get the satisfaction of holding a conversation with their own program.

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The Basics

A simple chatbot can be built using:

• Input and output – the program reads what the user types and prints a reply.

• If statements – to choose responses based on keywords.

• Loops – to keep the conversation going until the user types “bye”.

This reinforces the fundamentals of programming while giving an immediate sense of achievement.

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Extending the Project

Once students master the basics, they can:

• Add randomised responses so the chatbot feels less repetitive.

• Create menus and options for topics like jokes, facts, or maths quizzes.

• Use functions to organise the code and keep it tidy.

• Link to files or simple databases to store questions and answers.

This helps them see how larger programs are structured and why planning matters.

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Skills Highlight

• Problem-solving through step-by-step logic.

• Writing and debugging Python code.

• Understanding user interaction in computing.

• Building confidence by producing a program that is fun to test.

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Why It Works in Teaching

Students love seeing code “come alive”. A chatbot is accessible enough for beginners yet flexible enough to stretch more advanced learners. It also shows how computing connects to the AI-driven apps and services they use every day.

Sample Code

# Simple Python Chatbot

print("Hello, I'm ChatBot! Type 'bye' to end the chat.")

while True:

    user_input = input("You: ").lower()

    if "hello" in user_input:

        print("ChatBot: Hi there, how are you?")

    elif "how are you" in user_input:

        print("ChatBot: I'm just code, but I'm running well!")

    elif "joke" in user_input:

        print("ChatBot: Why did the computer go to the doctor? It caught a virus!")

    elif "math" in user_input:

        print("ChatBot: 2 + 2 is definitely 4.")

    elif "bye" in user_input:

        print("ChatBot: Goodbye! Talk to you soon.")

        break

    else:

        print("ChatBot: I don't understand, but I'm learning!")