We get a lot of questions about what parents should buy for their children for the holidays. In this episode, Kelly and Sean list out some of their favorite gifts for the holidays. Episode highlights: Kelly & Sean celebrate two years of the Teaching Python and 183,000 downloads later. Kelly wins with a student that demonstrates year over year improvement in Computer Science. Sean builds a FastAPI and gets a steep learning curve. Kelly gets a birdbrained robot finch.
Dec 10, 2020•32 min•Ep. 57
In this episode, Kelly and Sean talk with Dale Lane an IBM Event Streams Lead Developer. - IBM awarded Dale, the 2018 IBM Volunteer Excellence Award—the highest form of volunteer recognition given by the company—which also earned a USD 10,000 grant from IBM for Solent Youth Action. “Machine learning systems are all around us. We all use, interact with, or are affected by, machine learning systems every day. If our goal is to help children to understand how the world around them works, then under...
Dec 01, 2020•39 min•Ep. 56
Kelly and Sean flip on the voice recording app and record a random Friday afternoon conversation about teaching approaches for computer science. What makes student learning the most effective?
Nov 14, 2020•16 min•Ep. 55
Sean and Kelly invite Eric Matthes, teacher and author of Python Crash Course to discuss student projects in computer science. Eric was with us on Episode 33 (https://www.teachingpython.fm/33) and we ended the episode with discussions about completing projects and programming with purpose. In this episode we discuss finding a project, separating academic and project success criteria, helping student coders find a project, how to deal with failure, and some examples of great projects for learning...
Nov 10, 2020•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 54
This week's guest is Russell Keith-Magee from the Beeware project. Our conversation this week is about teaching students Python with native desktop applications, mobile, and the web. Plus, why do we have to use the command line? And do coding books from the early 80s hold up in Python? Django core developer and the founder and maintainer of the BeeWare project Former president of the Django Software Foundation BeeWare is a collection of tools and libraries for developing desktop and mobile appli...
Oct 27, 2020•58 min•Ep. 53
Sean and Kelly invite Ali Spittel to talk about how teachers can go beyond their first programming language and help students learn to create more robust projects. If you’ve started with Python, how do you learn HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to make a front end for a project? Or vice versa? Ali is a Senior Developer Advocate at AWS, the co-host of the Ladybug Podcast, and a frequent tech writer and speaker. She has been employed in the tech industry since 2014, holding multiple software engineering ...
Oct 20, 2020•59 min•Ep. 52
Sean and Kelly invite Jeff Olson (@jolson_codes) to the show. Let’s take a look at language in the Computer Science classroom and focus on how we can put our students first by engaging them in the “right language for their learning.” Special Guest: Jeff Olson.
Oct 08, 2020•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 51
This week, Sean & Kelly discuss how they are using Python to teach robotics in middle school, including the hardware and software it takes to get students thinking about how robots sense, process, and move in the world. With coronavirus precautions in place, our traditional approaches to robotics competitions through organizations like FIRST Lego League have been put aside. We're using this as an opportunity to get back to basics and teach students about sensors, servos, Python code, and more.
Sep 30, 2020•31 min•Ep. 50
This week, Kelly and Sean interview Philip Guo, associate professor of cognitive science at UC San Diego. As a grad student in 2010, Philip created Python Tutor (https://pythontutor.com), the most widely-used program visualization tool for education. Using this tool, teachers and students can write Python programs directly in the web browser (without installing any plugins), step forwards and backwards through execution to view the run-time state of data structures, and share their program visua...
Sep 22, 2020•44 min•Ep. 49
Let’s take a look at the tools we’re using in our classroom for the 2020-2021 school year to teach Python for middle school students. From IDEs to flash cards, coding challenges to Colab notebooks, and micro:bits to eBooks, we’ll look at what we’re currently using and how each one contributes to the learning experience of our students. Episode Outline Importance of variety in Lessons Motivation Increase Focus/Keeps classroom live and Active Combat Boredom/Avoids dullness Demonstrating concepts i...
Sep 15, 2020•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 48
Let’s take a deeper look at how we teach students about one of Python’s most venerable data structures: the list. For many learners, the list is the first data structure that they encounter and it can be tricky to understand at first. Episode Outline: Start with clear goals for topic Why are we teaching this? Backwards by design process What do we want the kids to do? What should students know when we’re done? Are the objectives differentiated? Can students demonstrate more advanced understandin...
Sep 01, 2020•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 47
Kelly and Sean discuss many of the upcoming changes for a school year heavily influenced by COVID, distance learning, hybrid/flexible classrooms, and prioritizing health and safety over content. Episode Contents: Wins of the Week Main Topic: The Upcoming School Year Integrating New Ideas Safely Teaching Physical Computing PyBites / CodeChalleng.es Flipped Classroom Using Reflection Choice Boards Routines and Rituals Teacher Self Care Setting Realistic Expectations Follow @TeachingPython (https:/...
Aug 28, 2020•49 min•Ep. 46
Ever had one of those moments where you thought you did something but then found it unfinished months later? Here's an episode we recorded back in May about how to keep your distance learning fresh and new. We're calling it the Lost Episode. New episodes are coming every Tuesday starting on August 18! In this episode, Kelly and Sean talk about ways they keep their distance learning sessions fresh and engaging for students. From refresher exercises to virtual classroom management, we've got some ...
Aug 16, 2020•54 min•Ep. 45
As teachers around the world move into online teaching and learning, we must consider ways to modify our way of teaching. Writing and communicating in an online learning environment, while making connections with your students, is a very important first step. This is the second episode in a two-part series. Video can help students connect with the concepts and provide an opportunity for teachers to engage and add opportunities to connect with their students. How will teachers adapt their teachin...
Apr 27, 2020•1 hr•Ep. 44
As teachers around the world move into online teaching and learning, we must consider ways to modify our way of teaching. Writing and communicating in an online learning environment, while making connections with your students, is a very important first step. This is the first episode in a two-part series. How will teachers adapt their online writing in order to communicate and engage learners? What materials will teachers develop to ignite motivation with students? How will connections and comm...
Apr 14, 2020•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 43
“Resilience in teachers is key for creating quality classrooms and schools. The opportunity for becoming resilient originates in how an educator makes sense of irritants, interruptions, and unexpected events, because interpretation dictates actions. By cultivating resilience, teachers can fulfill the intentions that brought them into the teaching profession.” Elena Aguilar In this episode, Kelly and Sean invite Elena Aguilar to our show for a little twist of conversations. Elena Aguilar “Elena h...
Apr 06, 2020•1 hr•Ep. 42
Python for Parents or so you want your child to code? Sometimes it just takes a few creative ideas and a short amount of time to make some fun little projects. Sean and Kelly, with the help of Anthony Shaw and his lovely daughters, ‘ Zebra’ and ‘Jaguar’ have a little fun with this topic! The Shaws’ help us to dive into the topic of #pythonicparenting. Together we discuss things that a parent can do to help your child have the same passion for coding as you do. Or at least some interest! Whether ...
Apr 01, 2020•41 min•Ep. 41
With our campus closed due to COVID-19 and distance learning in full swing, Kelly and Sean discuss the brighter side of all these sudden changes to education. The sudden shift to distance learning for much of the world has introduced more than a few challenges, but many opportunities arise as well. Kelly and Sean talk about the importance of using online tools to capture attention, to shift learning from synchronous to asynchronous delivery, and even how to ask questions of your students that en...
Mar 28, 2020•38 min•Ep. 40
Kelly and Sean stream their show on Twitch as the world moves to quarantines and distance learning. What does this mean for teaching and coding? Learn about the things we took home from our classroom and how we are planning to teach in this new COVID-19 quarantined world.
Mar 20, 2020•51 min•Ep. 39
Trying to find an easier way to get students excited about programming? Feeling stuck with the PyGame library? Paul Craven, maintainer of the Arcade Python library joins us to talk about using game design to teach programming. Arcade is a easy to use Python library that lets you quickly create games using OpenGL and a simple API that's perfect for beginners. Better still, the Arcade library includes a wide variety of sample programs and comprehensive documentation that is written for new program...
Mar 02, 2020•41 min•Ep. 38
It's not always easy to be a Python teacher. Whether it's trying to find the right words to explain something, handling severe frustration, building perseverance, or losing students while coding together, Python teachers are facing problems beyond just the code. Sean and Kelly discuss five of the things that frequently go wrong in the classroom and how we handle it. Helping the naturally gifted- keeping up; keeping them learning Developing the vocab that allows students to solve problems Losing ...
Feb 03, 2020•52 min•Ep. 37
Peter Chan is a 4th grade teacher in Quebec, Canada. In addition to using Python in his classroom, Peter also employs maker techniques, math exploration, and English language skills. Kelly and Sean talk with him about how Python can be used as part of a decentralized teaching style where students are more self-directed and have more agency and control in their learning direction. Special Guest: Peter Chan.
Jan 12, 2020•55 min•Ep. 36
In this episode, Kelly and Sean explore the idea that everyone should learn to code-- not to become a programmer but for so much more! How do we continue to foster an interest in coding for those kids that are not so interested in computer science?
Dec 18, 2019•39 min•Ep. 35
In celebration of the great retail holiday of Black Friday, Kelly and Sean share their holiday buying guide for computer science teachers, including 3d printers, #PythonHardware, and books. Also this week, Bob and Julian from the PyBites website are making their Newbie Bites 40% off, with half of the proceeds going to the Teaching Python podcast! Check it out on their latest newsletter post (https://mailchi.mp/pybit.es/pybites-black-friday-2019)
Nov 28, 2019•16 min•Ep. 34
Kelly and Sean interview Eric Matthes, author of Python Crash Course (https://amzn.to/2Okgzr3), about how he began programming, what led him to teaching, and the important lessons from Python to be learned both inside and outside of the classroom. This episode is sponsored by Real Python. As a special offer for listeners and friends of the show, you can get a free copy of the video course Cool New Things in Python 3.8 (https://www.realpython.com/teachingpython) when you visit realpython.com/teac...
Nov 25, 2019•56 min•Ep. 33
This week, Kelly and Sean embark on a journey with Twilio Developer Evangelist Kevin Whinnery using TwilioQuest to learn more Python in the classroom. What is TwilioQuest? Learn to code and lead your intrepid crew on a mission to save The Cloud in TwilioQuest (https://www.twilio.com/quest), a PC role-playing game inspired by classics of the 16-bit era. Free forever, and available now for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Players will learn how to code in Python, set up a developer environment, use Git to...
Nov 20, 2019•44 min•Ep. 32
Can you belive it's only been five years since Alexa launched? Or that identifying birds in photos was considered a hard problem (https://xkcd.com/1425/) for machine learning? In this episode, Kelly and Sean discuss plausible trends in machine learning, artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, and data science that we may see in schools by 2024. We focus on 5 areas from microscale in the classroom to macro across the entire educational system. Trends in the Computer Science classr...
Nov 11, 2019•47 min•Ep. 31
In this episode, Kelly and Sean speak to Reuven Lerner about how to teach adult learners and people switching to Python from other languages. Reuven is a corporate trainer of Python and Data Science. He helps developers around the world learn how to code in Python. As fellow teachers, we dive into the similarities and differences of teaching adults versus students. What works? What is new and interesting? Our guest, Reuven Lerner, is a full-time Python trainer. In a given year, he teaches course...
Nov 05, 2019•56 min•Ep. 30
This week, Kelly and Sean are joined by Brianne Caplan (https://www.briannecaplan.com) from Code Your Dreams (https://www.codeyourdreams.org) and Gabrielle Rabinowitz (https://twitter.com/gabriellerab) from the BridgeUP: STEM Program (https://www.amnh.org/learn-teach/bridgeup-stem) at the American Museum of Natural History to discuss K-12 Python Education that happens outside of the classroom. Special Guests: Brianne Caplan and Gabrielle Rabinowitz.
Oct 28, 2019•48 min•Ep. 29
Has it already been a year of learning and teaching Python for Kelly and Sean? In this episode, our co-hosts talk about the things they wish they knew a year ago to make their Python journey even better. 10 Things We Wish We Knew Before We Started Python Don't Be Afraid of the Unknown There's Never Going to be Enough Time Reading Error Codes Simple and Slow beats Complex and "Correct" Read a little. Code a lot. Projects Really Work You Have to Teach To Someone Reach out to the Python Community D...
Oct 20, 2019•34 min•Ep. 28
