#CSK8 Podcast - A podcast for computer science educators

In this episode I unpack El-Nasr and Smith’s (2006) publication titled “Learning through game modding,” which describes two case studies on modifying video games to learn software development and design, as well as programming, artistic, and video game concepts.

Click here for this episode’s show notes.

How to Get Started with Computer Science Education

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00:00 Intro

01:15 Abstract

02:22 Paper introduction

08:24 Case study 1: Game design workshop

10:51 Case study 2: Game design class

14:49 Discussion

18:42 Lingering questions and thoughts

18:46 Why do some coding platforms encourage modding or remix practices while others do not afford such possibilities?

19:24 If modding practices are so great, why not do them all the time?

20:56 Outro

In this interview with Bob Irving, we discuss our emphasis on creative coding/computing for leisure, fostering engagement with coding/CS, improving pedagogy over time, 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

00:41 Bob introducing himself

01:06 How Bob transitioned into CS education

03:59 Bob's recommendations for teachers who are new to CS

10:12 How Bob's experience in other subject areas informed his approach to CS education

13:24 Something Bob first believed when working in education that he no longer believes

16:29 What is an engaging learning experience?

20:28 What a typical class looks like

26:55 If Bob were to design a new class...

33:53 What to communicate to administrators

35:41 What Bob wishes there was more reseaarch on

38:04 How Bob continues to refine his teaching

41:23 Where to get inspirations for teaching

43:46 What the field could explore more of

53:07 Where to connect with Bob

In this episode I unpack Hsu, Chang, and Hung’s (2018) publication titled “How to learn and how to teach computational thinking: Suggestions based on a review of the literature,” which is a content analysis of 120 publications written between 2006 and 2017 that reveals that CT means many things and that people are implementing it through a variety of means.

Click here for this episode’s show notes.

How to Get Started with Computer Science Education

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00:00 Intro

00:46 Abstract

03:31 Paper introduction

05:35 Literature review

08:16 Paper findings

10:18 Discussion and conclusion

10:58 Lingering questions + thoughts

11:03 Having spoken with a lot of people who don't know the difference between CS and CT, I think CS educators could do a better job explaining that CT is a process for thinking through problems and that CS is an entire field of study or academic discipline.

11:47 Who is initiating the application of CT into a subject area and why?

13:07 In what ways might CS benefit from thinking processes from other disciplines?

13:58 Outro

In this interview with Sandra Ahlstrom, we discuss transfer of understanding across programming languages, collaborating around computing, the impact we want to have as educators, and several more topics relevant to CSK8 educators.

Click here for this episode’s show notes.

How to Get Started with Computer Science Education

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00:00 Intro

01:35 Sandy introducing herself

02:13 Sandy's CS education journey

03:30 Something Sandy believed when she first started teaching that she no longer believes

06:43 Working with multiple coding languages

09:28 Discovery and transfer of understanding

11:30 The power of students teaching their peers

14:37 Time constraints and teaching

17:42 A story in education that continues to impact Sandy

20:06 How those stories inform Sandy's approach today

22:11 What Sandy wishes she knew when she first started

24:08 What is a facilitator?

25:27 Teaching concepts in a way that kids understand

29:02 Helping write the Wyoming CS standards

32:39 Differences in motivation and gender

40:40 Teaching how to learn

42:15 Outro

In this episode I unpack Peppler and Kafai’s (2009) publication titled “Creative coding: Programming for personal expression,” which is an analysis of a single project created in Scratch that appears to indicate kids can learn how to create media arts expressions despite little experience with coding.

Click here for this episode’s show notes

How to Get Started with Computer Science Education

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00:00 Intro

01:58 Introduction to kids learning to code through media arts

04:44 Design of the study

05:49 Findings

06:02 Findings around personal connections

06:42 Findings on epistemological connections and expressions

09:07 Getting underrepresented students into CS

11:18 Not only might coding providing opportunities for arts educators to explore coding and CS, but CS educators to explore the arts.

12:03 When does/n't the creation of a product or expression demonstrate understanding?

13:47 What are some approaches that can be taken along the way to focus on understanding throughout a process rather than assessment of the product itself?

15:11 Outro