#CSK8 Podcast - A podcast for computer science educators

In this interview with Michael Horn, we discuss computational literacies vs computational thinking, power in literacy, cultural imperialism, the impact of programming language on identity, the intersections of music and CS, and so much more.

Click here for this episode’s show notes.

How to Get Started with Computer Science Education

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0:00 Intro

00:33 An introduction by Michael

01:10 Dual appointment?

01:36 How Michael became interested in designing innovative learning experience

03:17 What is computational literacy?

10:43 Computational literacy and power

14:48 Underground computational literacies

18:53 Colonization in education

21:55 Genres of computer science

24:46 Learning higher vs lower level languages

32:21 What is TunePad?

37:10 How students and teachers might use TunePad

37:52 Challenges with integrating CS in music classes

39:58 Why arts educators are afraid of integrating

48:11 How Michael iterates on his abilities

51:55 How Michael prevents burnout

54:42 What Michael wishes there was more research on

59:45 Something listeners can help Michael with

01:00:46 What I'm getting excited about

01:02:32 Coding as performance art

01:03:34 How to connect with Michael

01:03:50 Outro

In this episode I unpack Kazemitabaar et al.’s (2023) publication titled “Studying the effect of AI code generators on supporting novice learners in introductory programming,” which found that students who had access to AI code generators while learning how to code out performed students who did not have access, even when engaging in manual coding exercises.

Click here for this episode’s show notes.

How to Get Started with Computer Science Education

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00:00 Intro

01:14 Abstract

02:18 My single sentence summary

03:11 AI as distributed cognition

04:31 Research questions

05:15 Related work and the AI-assisted learning environment

05:44 Design of this study

06:56 Results: Training phase

11:00 Results: Evaluation phase

11:55 Results: Qualitative feedback

13:34 Discussion

15:01 AI and the use-modify-create framework

17:41 What are some implications of this study?

18:27 How do the findings for this study compare with studies on students using Stack Overflow?

19:38 Outro

In this episode I unpack Khalil & Er’s (2023) publication titled “Will ChatGPT get you caught? Rethinking of plagiarism detection,” which explores how likely it is for plagiarism software to detect whether an essay was written by generative AI.

Click here for this episode’s show notes.

How to Get Started with Computer Science Education

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00:00 Intro

00:24 Abstract

01:50 My single sentence summary

02:38 Introduction and background

03:04 Methodology

03:40 Findings

06:47 A discussion on plagiarism

09:06 Recommendations for educators

11:13 Advice for students

11:36 Advice for institutions

12:15 Lingering questions + thoughts

12:23 How are you using (or planning on using) generative AI to help you teach or to help students learn?

13:10 What concerns do you have about generative AI in education?

13:42 Where is the line for you with plagiarism when using generative AI vs other sources (e.g., Stack Overflow) with programming?

15:38 Plagiarism: Process vs product

18:07 Learning more about AI and education

18:40 Outro

In this episode I unpack Laurent et al.’s (2022) publication titled “Impact of programming on primary mathematics learning,” which describes a randomized control study that compared the impacts of learning mathematics with an integrated CS and mathematics class.

Click here for this episode’s show notes.

How to Get Started with Computer Science Education

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00:00 Introduction

00:57 Abstract

01:46 My single sentence summary

02:27 A short introduction to my thoughts on integration

03:36 Paper introduction

08:04 Method

08:46 Findings

09:56 Explanation 1: Implementation

11:21 Explanation 2: Time

12:15 Explanation 3: Cognitive load

14:29 Lingering questions + thoughts

14:33 What approaches to integration do you think work better than others?

14:46 If you were working with someone who wanted to integrated CS with another subject area, what advice would you give them?

16:26 Outro

In this episode I unpack Bao & Hosseini’s (2023) publication titled “Mind the gap: The illusion of skill acquisition in computational thinking,” which compares learning, perceptions of learning, and confidence among adult learners participating in interactive, video-based, and text-based learning.

Click here for this episode’s show notes.

How to Get Started with Computer Science Education

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00:00 Introduction

00:35 Abstract

01:37 Single sentence summary

02:30 Paper introduction

02:54 Research questions

04:27 1.1 Our controbutions

04:51 2 Design and development

05:06 3 Experimental design

05:36 Results: Perception of learning

08:58 Results: Actual learning comprehension

09:16 Results: Interest in learning

09:59 Results: Usability

11:19 Results: Positive correlations

11:52 Lingering questions and thoughts

12:01 How do you know when a student understands something?

14:40 How important is it to various stakeholders that students understand CS?

17:30 How do you develop expertise over time?

19:59 Outro

In this episode I unpack Shehzad et al.’s (2023) publication titled “Rethinking integrated computer science instruction: A cross-context and expansive approach in elementary classrooms,” which compared perceptions of teaching and learning the intersections of computer science and geometry in integrated and cross-context approaches.

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

01:20 Single sentence summary

02:08 Paper introduction

02:49 Research questions

03:07 Theoretical framework: Expansive framing

04:32 Cross-context, expansively-framed CS-mathematics lessons

06:32 Methods

07:01 Findings: RQ1 - Paraprofessionals' perceptions

11:48 RQs 2 + 3: Students' perceptions

13:52 Lingering questions and thoughts

13:57 How would this study have compared with teachers instead of paraprofessionals?

14:38 What’s your rationale for integrating (or not)?

15:39 Outro

In this episode I unpack Hu and Yadav’s (2023) publication titled “How K-12 CS teachers conceptualize CS ethics: Future opportunities and barriers to ethics integration in K-12 CS,” which explores K-12 CS educators’ perspectives on ethics before and after an introduction to the big ideas around ethics in computing.

Click here for this episode’s show notes.

How to Get Started with Computer Science Education

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00:00 Introduction

00:35 Abstract

01:41 One sentence summary

01:59 Paper introduction

02:47 Research questions

03:24 Background

03:57 Big ideas in CS ethics

05:05 Methods

05:39 Findings

05:43 RQ1a: Pre-conceptualizations of CS ethics

06:33 RQ1b: Post-conceptualizations of CS ethics

08:04 RQ2a: Opportunities and barriers

11:11 RQ2b: Values

12:13 Lingering questions and thoughts

12:15 What does this mean for PD and curriculum providers?

12:57 How does your desire to integrate ethics compare with your desire to focus on equity? Where do the two overlap and diverge?

13:27 How has your understanding of ethics changed over time?

14:00 Do you prefer mini series or something new every week?

15:10 Outro

In this episode I unpack Smith et al.’s (2023) publication titled “Incorporating ethics in computing courses: Barriers, support, and perspectives from educators,” which investigates the perceived barriers and support for implementing ethics into higher education CS courses.

Click here for this episode’s show notes.

How to Get Started with Computer Science Education

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00:00 Introduction

00:41 Abstract

02:24 Paper introduction

02:42 Research questions

03:06 Method

03:29 Findings

03:31 RQ1: Educators' perceptions of ethics

09:26 RQ2: Barriers to ethics integration

15:12 RQ3: Structures supporting ethics

18:33 Discussion

18:45 Lingering questions and thoughts

18:55 If we consider null curricula, won't there always be not enough time to learn the technical?

20:03 If integrating CS into another content area, are we further diluting CS by also focusing on ethics?

22:01 How would these perspectives compare with elementary, middle school, and high school educators?

22:22 Outro

In this episode I unpack Horton, Liu, McIlraith, and Wang’s (2023) publication titled “Is more better when embedding ethics in CS courses?,” which investigates the impact of one and two embedded ethics modules within undergraduate computer science courses.

Click here for this episode’s show notes.

How to Get Started with Computer Science Education

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00:00 Introduction

00:34 Paper abstract

01:56 One sentence summary

02:42 1 Introduction

03:16 3 Our embedded ethics program

03:34 41. Research questions

04:34 4.2 Methods

05:02 Results

05:08 5.1 Positive impact decreases and is restored by a subsequent module

06:25 5.2 A second module in the same semester provides little added benefit

07:45 5.3 Positive impact of EE modules is robust across many contexts

08:22 5.4 Replication of results showing positive impact from CS2 module

08:57 Discussion

09:43 Lingering questions and thoughts

09:53 Is there a point where you don’t think computer scientists need to focus on ethics in computing?

12:11 When should ethics be embedded within a CS class?

14:08 How might a person’s understanding of ethics in computing impact their careers in computing?

16:15 Outro

[This episode was a friendly April Fools prank about changing the show’s format] A quick announcement of some upcoming changes to the podcast.

Click here for this episode’s show notes.

How to Get Started with Computer Science Education