In this interview with Laurie “Mrs. Geeky” Green, we discuss advice for novice and veteran computer science educators who are integrating CS and technology in a variety of subject areas, what an engaging integration experience looks like, the importance of finding platforms and approaches that work for you and the kids you work with, helping administrators and educators understand what computer science is (and how it’s different than computational thinking), suggestions for integrating in online and virtual spaces, 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

01:05 An introduction by Laurie

01:24 How Laurie became known as "Mrs. Geeky"

02:15 How Laurie got into CS education

06:53 An experience in education that continues to impact Laurie

08:29 Something Laurie used to believe in education that she no longer believes

10:31 What does an ideal integration classroom look like?

11:13 What classes does Laurie recommend when integrating with CS?

13:11 What's an engaging way to integrate?

15:28 How Laurie's experiences in education informed her previous answer

18:35 Advice for educators who are new to integrating

22:17 Advice for experienced CS educators

26:46 How to help people understand what CS education looks like

31:26 How to help people understand the difference between CS and CT

33:21 Advice for teaching online

36:27 How Laurie continues to iterate on her abilities as an educator

37:38 How Laurie prevents burnout

39:09 Recommendations for improving equity and inclusion in CS

41:29 What Laurie wishes there was more research on

43:02 How I got into the intersections of music and CS

45:56 Laurie's future chapters in a book

46:57 How to connect with Laurie

47:25 Outro