Clean, dependency-driven organization:
- Part I (1-5): MLPs for XORNet
- Part II (6-10): CNNs for CIFAR-10
- Part III (11-15): Transformers for TinyGPT
Key improvements:
- Dropped modules 16-17 (regularization/systems) to maintain scope
- Moved normalization to module 13 (Part III where it's needed)
- Created three CIFAR-10 examples: random, MLP, CNN
- Each part introduces ONE major innovation (FC → Conv → Attention)
CIFAR-10 now showcases progression:
- test_random_baseline.py: ~10% (random chance)
- train_mlp.py: ~55% (no convolutions)
- train_cnn.py: ~60%+ (WITH Conv2D - shows why convolutions matter!)
This follows actual ML history and each module is needed for its capstone.
- Added educational metadata (difficulty, time_estimate) to all module.yaml files
- Updated convert_readmes.py to read from YAML instead of hardcoded mappings
- Standardized difficulty progression: ⭐ → ⭐⭐ → ⭐⭐⭐ → ⭐⭐⭐⭐ → ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🥷
- Fixed path resolution for YAML reading in book build process
- Eliminated duplication: single source of truth for educational metadata
- Capstone gets special ninja treatment (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🥷) as beyond-expert level
Standardize module endings with motivational section + grid cards:
Added to 4 key modules:
- 01_setup: Foundation workflow mastery message
- 03_activations: Neural networks come alive message
- 06_cnn: Computer vision implementation message
- 09_optimizers: Learning algorithms message
Standard Format:
## 🎉 Ready to Build?
[Module-specific motivational content about what they're building]
Take your time, test thoroughly, and enjoy building something that really works! 🔥
[Grid cards automatically follow via converter]
Progress: 6/14 modules now have consistent endings
- ✅ 01_setup, 02_tensor, 03_activations, 06_cnn, 07_dataloader, 09_optimizers
- 🔄 8 more modules to standardize
Result: Better user experience with consistent motivation + clear next steps
README Updates:
- All modules now use consistent '🔥 Module: [Name]' format
- Removed inconsistent emojis (🧠, 🚀, 📊, 🧱, 🏋️)
- Removed module numbers and descriptive subtitles
- Clean, consistent branding across all 14 modules
Converter Updates:
- Added header cleaning logic to strip module prefixes from chapter titles
- Chapters now show clean names: 'CNN', 'Tensor', 'Setup', etc.
- No emoji or module numbers in final website headers
- Maintains clean, professional appearance
Result: Consistent source files + clean website presentation
✅ Rename all module directories: 00_setup → 01_setup, etc.
✅ Update convert_modules.py mappings for new directory names
✅ Update _toc.yml file paths and titles (1-14 instead of 0-13)
✅ Regenerate all overview pages with new numbering
✅ Fix all broken references in usage-paths and intro
✅ Update chapter references to use natural numbering
Benefits:
- More intuitive course progression starting from 1
- Matches academic course numbering conventions
- Eliminates confusion about 'Module 0' concept
- Cleaner mental model for students and instructors
- All references and links properly updated
Complete transformation: 14 modules now numbered 01-14
Vijay Janapa Reddi