In this interview with Melissa Rasberry, we discuss making educational lemonade out of lemons, using technology to collaborate in virtual learning communities, how people are learning differently through online communities, CS for All Teachers, suggestions for using different social media platforms to connect with other educators, and much more.

Click here for this episode’s show notes.

How to Get Started with Computer Science Education

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00:00 Intro

00:51 Melissa introducing herself

01:07 How Melissa got into CS education

05:22 Advice that has really resonated with Melissa

07:06 Something that Melissa no longers believes about education

13:15 How technology allows teachers to connect with each other

16:28 What led to Melissa exploring virtual learning communities

21:57 Scholarship that inspired Melissa

24:37 What has surprised Melissa while conducting research

30:09 An idea for a community that didn't go well

33:12 What is CS for All Teachers?

34:30 How does Melissa recommend teachers connect with others?

38:11 Considerations to think through when selecting a platform

42:54 How COVID has impacted Melissa's thoughts on virtual learning communities

45:23 How Melissa tries to prevent burnout

48:01 How Melissa iterates on her abilities as an educator/researcher

51:34 Recommendations for improving equity and inclusion

56:53 What Melissa wishes there was more research on

01:01:06 My biggest takeaways having conversations across the field

01:03:17 How to connect with Melissa

01:04:21 Outro