In this interview with Brenda Bass, we discuss advice for educators interested in getting started with robotics or physical computing, considering equity and access with robots and physical computing devices, how to learn more about robotics and CS without a background in either area, 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

00:45 An introduction by Brenda

01:30 Lessons learned through Brenda's journey in CS education

06:01 A story related to education that continues to impact Brenda

07:25 What Brenda wished she knew when she first started teaching coding

08:09 Something that Brenda excels at in education

10:11 How Brenda developed expertise in coding

13:53 What more educators should understand about getting into robotics and physical computing

15:07 What an ideal program would look like

16:38 How to create an equitable robotics team

18:14 How to get started with a robotics program

19:55 Recommendations for starting a CS program

20:39 How Brenda iterates on her own abilities as an educator

21:15 How Brenda tries to prevent burnout

22:44 Thoughts on CS certification

23:32 What Brenda wishes there was more research on

24:50 What's the one device I would recommend a district purchase?

26:54 How this podcast could better serve the community

27:31 How to connect with Brenda

27:44 Outro