#CSK8 Podcast - A podcast for computer science educators

In this episode I unpack my (2020) publication titled “Intersections of popular musicianship and computer science practices,” which discusses potential implications of hardware and software practices that blur the boundaries between music making and computer science.

Click here for this episode’s show notes.

How to Get Started with Computer Science Education

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00:00 Intro

00:19 Abstract

01:16 My single sentence summary

02:13 Paper introduction

03:17 Hardware practices

04:08 Circuit-bending

06:36 Hardware modifying

08:56 Coding practices

10:04 Creating and modifying music software

13:56 Composing and performing music with code

16:28 Coding practices in music education contexts

17:01 Questioning the value of practices at the intersection of multiple academic disciplines

21:02 When are music practices?

23:19 Connecting practices

26:16 Lingering questions and thoughts

26:25 How might scholars and educators from both domains work together to develop a new interdiscipline?

27:10 What other intersections work well with CS?

28:33 Outro

In this interview with Monica McGill, we discuss the nuances of identities in relation to conversations around equity, the importance of having many pathways in CS, designing games for purposes beyond pure entertainment, codeveloping CS courses with students, how researchers and K-12 practitioners can use CSEdResearch.org, our thoughts on bridging the gap between research and practice, opportunities for the field to continue to grow, the influence of outside forces on K-12 education, and so 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

01:08 Monica introducing herself

01:22 Monica's journey through CS education

04:12 What the field of CS is struggling with right now

08:58 What an ideal CS education program looks like

12:36 What Monica wishes more CS educators understood about game design

15:51 Games and mental health

16:15 How games impacted Monica's understanding of experience design

20:31 If Monica could wave a magic wand...

21:36 What is CSEdResearch.org?

26:25 Monica's wish for research

29:30 How Monica iterates on her abilities

31:10 How Monica prevents burnout

34:09 Recommendations for improving equity and inclusion

36:42 Something Monica could use help with from a listener

37:20 Thoughts on the future of CS education

41:58 The bigger picture of CS education

46:07 How to connect with Monica

46:46 Outro

In this episode I unpack Chongo, Osman, and Nayan’s (2021) publication titled “Impact of the plugged-in and unplugged chemistry computational thinking modules on achievement in chemistry,” which investigated achievement outcomes between a chemistry unit in three groups: 1) chemistry classes integrated with Scratch projects, 2) chemistry classes integrated with both unplugged and Scratch projects, and 3) chemistry classes with no focus on computational thinking.

Click here for this episode’s show notes.

How to Get Started with Computer Science Education

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00:00 Intro

00:27 Abstract

01:55 My single sentence summary

02:51 Caveat

03:20 Paper introduction

04:53 Literature review

05:48 Design

07:23 Findings

11:12 Lingering questions and thoughts

11:15 Was PBL the reason why the plugged-in group scored higher?

11:46 What would we find if we investigated the impact on interest to further study the subject area?

12:08 How would the findings change with different chemistry units?

12:31 Why do you think a combination of plugged-in and unplugged activities scored lower than plugged-in only?

14:12 Outro

In this episode I unpack Lewis’ (2017) publication titled “Good (and bad) reasons to teach all students computer science,” which problematizes common rationales/myths for teaching computer science in K-12 schools.

Click here for this episode’s show notes.

How to Get Started with Computer Science Education

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00:00 Intro

00:29 Abstract

01:13 My single sentence summary

01:44 Chapter introduction

04:19 Can programming teach students to think logically?

08:06 Can programming help students develop persistence?

10:58 Can programming help students learn science and math?

13:23 Can programming provide students emotional value, agency, and motivation?

14:51 Can computer science learning help students understand the world around them?

15:44 Can teaching students computer science help fill jobs?

16:32 Can diversity improve the tech industry?

20:22 Can K-12 computer science help students feel like they belonging in computer science courses in college?

21:00 Can K-12 computer science help students compete in computer science courses in college?

22:39 Lingering questions and thoughts

22:52 What are some other arguments for teaching computer science that we should debunk and stop using as a field?

23:31 Outro

In this episode I unpack Scott and Elliott’s (2020) publication titled “STEM diversity and inclusion efforts for women of color: A critique of the new labor system,” which uses the metaphor of sharecropping to problematize the new labor system around STEM education and careers.

Click here for this episode’s show notes.

How to Get Started with Computer Science Education

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00:00 Intro

00:22 Abstract

01:13 My single sentence summary

01:44 Paper introduction

03:00 Background

05:13 Sharecropping and efforts on diversity in computing

08:00 Constraints due to unquenchable debt

08:42 Differential effects

11:18 Lingering questions and thoughts

12:09 Whose interests are being served by the push for CS education?

13:31 Outro

In this interview with Aria Chernik, we discuss student-centered engagement situated within authentic contexts, problems with focusing entirely on capitalistic purposes of education, using critical pedagogies to problematize power dynamics in the classroom, using an open design for learning, the phenomenology of collaboration, creating a space that encourages taking risks in education, 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

00:59 Aria introducing herself

01:14 Experiences in education that continues to impact Aria

03:41 What motivates students to deepen their learning?

08:07 The disconnect between rationales for CS education

09:24 Something Aria no longer believes about education

10:39 What can we do about this problem?

12:01 The role of critical pedagogies

16:28 How Aria learned about critical pedagogies

23:52 When Aria wouldn't use critical pedagogy

27:24 What is open design?

29:23 How to use open design in the classroom

34:28 The phenomenology of collaboration

40:02 How Aria iterates on her abilities

41:59 How Aria prevents burnout

44:21 The need for more research on research

47:01 Some things Aria could use help with

48:54 Trends in CS education

50:43 How to connect with Aria

51:00 Outro

In this episode I unpack Cayari et al.’s (2021) publication titled “Trans voices speak: Suggestions from trans educators about working with trans students,” which provides five suggestions from Trans educations on working with Trans students.

Click here for this episode’s show notes.

How to Get Started with Computer Science Education

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00:00 Intro

00:26 Abstract

01:27 My single sentence summary

02:21 Paper introduction

03:17 Trans students' identities and computer science education

05:08 Five actionable suggestions for working with trans students

05:27 Learn abou the trans community

06:59 Inspect your language and biases

10:03 Represent the diversity of trans people in your teaching

11:25 Promote healthy computing and identity development

14:01 Model allyship

15:50 More resources

16:33 Lingering questions and thoughts

16:48 What questions do you have for the authors?

16:58 What suggestions are we missing?

17:39 Outro

In this interview with James Fester, we discuss using informal learning approaches within formal learning spaces, what makes a learning experience engaging, how James’ experience in the National Parks Service’s Teacher Ranger Teacher program informed how he taught in the classroom, unpacking nuances of project-based learning, debunking common misconceptions of PBL, and so 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

00:58 James introducing himself

02:24 Something James learned writing a book

05:07 An experience in education that continues to impact James

09:06 James' understanding of an engaging learning experience

12:10 Learning to facilitate instead of lecture

20:06 What is project-based learning?

24:28 What PBL looks like in a classroom

28:15 What are misconceptions with PBL?

32:48 When James wouldn't use PBL

36:04 How to learn more about PBL

38:56 What is SEL?

41:27 How James prevents burnout

45:36 What's holding back educators and what can we do about it?

49:35 How James iterates on his abilities as an educator

51:13 What James wishes there was more research on

53:52 How to connect with James

55:42 Outro

In this episode I unpack Menier, Zarch, and Sexton’s (2021) publication titled “Broadening gender in computing for transgender and nonbinary learners,” which is a position paper problematizes the current lack of trans and nonbinary individuals in discourse around gender in CS education.

Click here for this episode’s show notes.

How to Get Started with Computer Science Education

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00:00 Intro00:24 Abstract

01:24 My single sentence summary

02:15 Paper introduction

05:02 Transgender and nonbinary identities

07:36 Transgender and nonbinary population in the United States

08:26 Campus and in the workplace

09:38 Current gender broadening participation in computing efforts

10:59 The importance of broadening gender in computing

13:57 Lingering questions and thoughts

14:03 In what ways might your CS class or discourse be unintentionally gendered or reinforce a gender binary?

14:43 Why is it we only discuss some gender imbalances and not others?

15:39 Outro

In this interview with Khalia Braswell, we discuss the lack of representation in education, improving equity and inclusion in CS education, what Khalia has learned with INTech Camp for Girls, how Khalia iterates on her own abilities, the importance of self care, our thoughts on the future of CS education, 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

00:50 Khalia introducing herself

01:34 How Khalia got into CS education

03:29 What Khalia is researching for her PhD

05:02 What has surprised Khalia in her research

13:20 Recommendations for improving equity and inclusion in CS education

17:30 INTech Camp for Girls

21:12 What has surprised Khalia about INTech

23:09 The future of INTech

26:34 How Khalia iterates on her abilities

30:32 How Khalia prevents burnout

37:25 What Khalia wishes there was more research on

41:57 Our thoughts on the future of CS education

46:11 The disconnect between classroom and industry

49:21 How to connect with Khalia

50:05 Outro