#CSK8 Podcast - A podcast for computer science educators

In this episode, Jon Stapleton and I read our (2022) publication titled “Fostering intersectional identities through rhizomatic learning,” which uses mapping as a metaphor for individualized learning.

Click here for this episode’s show notes.

How to Get Started with Computer Science Education

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00:00 Intro

01:12 Abstract

02:25 My single sentence summary

02:56 I. Paper introduction

06:24 II. Mapping

06:42 II.A. Planning and widening paths

10:32 II.B. Keeping on the grass

13:13 II.C. Mapping territories

16:25 III. Re-tracing trails

22:02 What other metaphors do you use to describe epistemologies in education that resonate with you and the kids you work with?

22:34 Outro

In this interview with Napiya Nubuya, we discuss Napiya’s journey into CS, how COVID has impacted learning and communities, The Next IT Girl, being a role model for wellness, suggestions for working from home, the influence of fashion and design, our thoughts on the value of 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

00:54 Napiya introducing herself

01:02 How Napiya got into IT and CS

03:59 An experience that impacted Napiya's journey into IT/CS

07:51 Changes in access to devices after COVID

12:41 How Napiya hopes to close the gender gap in tech

18:30 How to model taking care of yourself

28:52 Napiya's passion for fashion and how it led to her entrepreneurial pursuits

39:02 Advice for someone who wants to replicate Napiya's journey

41:16 Find your inspiration. Your work is not for you, it's for someone else

45:25 How Napiya iterates on her abilities

48:27 Something Napiya is working on that she could use some help with

50:06 What Napiya wishes there was more research on

54:30 Thoughts on getting into CS without college degrees

58:33 How to connect with Napiya

59:13 Outro

In this episode I share some of my concerns about the future of education and ask that you join me for a conversation on the topic.

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How to Get Started with Computer Science Education

In this episode I unpack Ni et al.’s (2022) publication titled “Teachers as curriculum co-designers: Supporting professional learning and curriculum implementation in a CSforAll RPP project,” which shares results of an RPP where teachers collaboratively designed an app development curriculum that they implemented in their classrooms.

Click here for this episode’s show notes.

How to Get Started with Computer Science Education

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00:00 Intro

00:28 Abstract

01:41 My single sentence summary

02:13 Paper introduction

02:34 Research questions

02:53 Background

04:00 Curriculum

05:15 Data collection and analysis

05:27 Results

09:19 Lingering questions and thoughts

09:25 How might you collaborate with research/teachers by developing your own RPP?

09:56 What co-design processes might you engage in with other CS educators?

10:46 Outro

In this interview with Ben Owens, we discuss Ben’s transition from working as an engineer to working in K-12 education, opensource as a metaphor for teaching and learning, various stakeholder reactions to opensource resources and learning, bridging the gap between out-of-school and in-school learning, iterating on teaching and learning, 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

00:52 Ben introducing himself

01:42 Ben's shift from engineer to educator

05:28 What surprised Ben about teaching

08:42 How Ben learned how to teach and how it has evolved over time

10:54 How people reacted to Ben's approach to teaching

16:59 How open source influenced Ben's approach to education

21:45 Responding to the pushback to open source

24:23 Hyper local curriculum and open source content

27:17 What is Open Way Learning?

32:30 How working in the nonprofit space impacted Ben's understanding of education

36:51 What's holding back educators and what can we do about it?

40:21 The negative impact of the factory model on education

44:22 Advice for elevating student voice

47:51 Recommendations for preventing burnout

52:13 What Ben wishes there was more research on

54:43 Something a listener could help Ben with

56:59 My thoughts on Ben's approach

01:00:28 How to connect with Ben

01:01:24 Outro

In this episode I unpack Worsley’s (2022) publication titled “Examining the realities and nuances of ‘low-stakes’ interest-driven learning environments,” which discusses two case studies of students programming in low-stakes, interest-driven learning environments.

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

01:22 My single sentence summary

01:48 Paper introduction

02:20 Prior literature

02:34 Methods

03:12 Background on Minecraft Education

03:36 1st case study

07:02 2nd case study

08:41 Discussion

11:18 How might you support students when they are engaging in emotionally charged projects?

12:23 When is interest-driven learning challenging or taxing on students?

13:07 Outro

In this interview with Carter Zenke, we discuss Carter’s pedagogical approach that centers playfulness, creativity, and purpose; lessons learned teaching CS50 to over one million students; balancing free exploration with learning content; designing opportunities for getting into CS; the benefits of watching recordings of your own teaching; helping educators find their “why”; 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

00:50 Carter introducing himself

01:27 How do you grade millions of students?

02:03 How Carter got into CS education

04:11 Playfulness, creativity, and purposefulness in education

06:01 How to center playfulness, creativity, and purposefulness

07:05 How does this compare/contrast with makerspaces?

09:20 Why does these concepts resonate with Carter?

09:51 Why don't more educators focus on these concepts?

11:20 When wouldn't Carter use these foci?

13:26 How does Carter design introductory CS experiences?

14:54 Helping students find their "why" in education

17:56 How informal learning informed Carter's approach to formal learning

19:09 How Carter iterates on curricula

20:44 Are there available archives of course content?

21:48 How Carter iterates on his own abilities

25:04 What has surprised Carter about his work?

25:56 Curiosity in the classroom

27:32 How Carter prevents burnout

28:14 Recommendations for improving equity and inclusion

28:49 What Carter wishes there was more research on

30:19 Something a listener could help with

31:11 What is a good educator?

32:37 How to connect with Carter and CS50

32:52 Outro

In this episode I unpack Petrie’s (2021) publication titled “Programming music with Sonic Pi promotes positive attitudes for beginners,” which investigates student attitudes around enjoyment, importance, and anxiety when coding music through Sonic Pi.

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

01:26 My single sentence summary

01:58 Paper introduction

03:56 Background

07:29 Methods

10:08 Results

11:23 Effects of prior experience

13:13 Enjoyment

15:12 Importance

15:40 Qualitative results

16:37 Anxiety

18:02 Discussion

19:53 Outro

In this interview with Charlotte Dungan, we discuss Charlotte’s holistic approach to education, remotely teaching CS to rural communities, why Charlotte believes teaching is harder than working in industry, teaching AI in elementary school, the influence of money on research and practice, the future of work, 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

00:58 Charlotte introducing herself

02:00 Charlotte's journey from developer to educator

03:18 How Charlotte knew what approach to use when teaching

05:22 Something Charlotte no longer believes about education

07:22 Remote teaching CS in rural schools

13:20 Charlotte's holistic approach to education

16:37 Remotely cultivating connectedness

19:25 Why education is harder than programming

20:48 Why education is important for Charlotte

23:38 What AI looks like in elementary schools

30:37 Recommendations for learning more about AI in elementary school

31:48 The dilution of standards

33:35 What's holding back the field and what we can do about it

34:30 How Charlotte iterates on her abilities

36:09 How Charlotte prevents burnout

40:02 What Charlotte wishes would change with research

43:39 Something Charlotte could use help with

44:35 A question for the field

46:03 The future of work

52:46 How to connect with Charlotte

53:06 Outro

In this episode I unpack Martin et al.’s (2022) publication titled “Scaling professional learning for equitable and inclusive computer science teaching,” which is an experience report that shares lessons learned from three iterations of scaling professional development around equitable and inclusive CS education.

Click here for this episode’s show notes.

How to Get Started with Computer Science Education

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00:00 Intro

00:25 Abstract

01:44 My single sentence summary

02:25 Paper introduction

03:21 Evolution of course design in implementation

04:10 Iteration 2

07:24 Iteration 3

10:39 Key takeaways

11:40 Lingering questions and thoughts

11:44 What is lost when developing PD at scale?

12:52 If you were to write an experience report about your own journey through CS education, what would you share?

13:26 Outro