Isn't it surprising how much repetition goes into the job of teaching? What if you could use Python to automate that and focus on the work that adds the most value for your students? Or at least eliminate the boring teaching stuff like transferring grades or setting up iPads. With thanks to Al Sweigart and his book, Automate the Boring Stuff With Python (https://automatetheboringstuff.com/), Kelly and Sean look at how teachers can leverage Python to speed up or eliminate the most boring and repe...
Oct 04, 2019•43 min•Ep. 27
In this episode, Kelly and Sean discuss how their philosophy of teaching helps them to design their daily curriculum for the course.
Sep 03, 2019•49 min•Ep. 26
What are the best editors for teaching in Python? In this episode, Kelly and Sean examine a variety of different environments for students to learn to code Python. Should it be online or local? Paid or free? Simple or full-featured? An editor or an IDE? Here's what made our list: Mu Editor (https://codewith.mu) Visual Studio Code (https://code.visualstudio.com) PyCharm Edu (https://www.jetbrains.com/pycharm-edu/) python.microbit.org (https://python.microbit.org) Repl.it (https://repl.it) Jupyter...
Jul 17, 2019•34 min•Ep. 25
Many teachers give advice to parents on how to keep kids engaged during the summer. Sean and Kelly take their own advice and apply it to teachers and professional development. In this episode, we discuss how to avoid the “Summer Slide” and what we are doing to keep on learning.
Jun 27, 2019•31 min•Ep. 24
Kelly and Sean both agree that reflecting on your teaching is vital for our growth as educators and learners. In this episode, they take a few moments to reflect on their year, their lessons, their learning, and their progress. “ Learning without reflection is a waste. Reflection without learning is dangerous.”-Confucius
Jun 20, 2019•38 min•Ep. 23
In this episode, Kelly and Sean talk to freelance educational consultant Meg Ray. She was the founding Teacher in Residence at Cornell Tech (https://tech.cornell.edu/impact/k-12/) where she was responsible for the implementation and design of a coaching program for K-8 CS teachers in New York City schools. An experienced middle and high school computer science teacher and special educator, Meg directed the design of the Codesters (https://www.codesters.com) Python curricula for middle school stu...
Jun 20, 2019•52 min•Ep. 22
In this episode, Sean and Kelly chat with Karen Hildebrand and Teresa Vallotton from FarmFemmes. These two ladies are using technology to inspire the next generation of farmers. By offering one-day tech camps, and hosting international students, Karen and Teresa hope to bring a new life and meaning to an agricultural career. Their hope is to bring their “technical knowledge and a relateable voice to showcase the unique ways women can contribute to agriculture in the 21st century.” Dr. Karen Hild...
May 28, 2019•36 min•Ep. 21
In this episode, Sean and Kelly discuss the importance of having a Personal Learning Network or PLN, why we use it, and how to develop one for your computer science teaching with Python.
May 18, 2019•20 min•Ep. 20
This week, Kelly and Sean attended their first ever PyCon in Cleveland, Ohio. Before we flew home, we recorded our thoughts and reflections on this amazing experience. We also interviewed educator attendees from places like the US Coast Guard Academy, Stanford University, and the American Museum of Natural History. Join us as we reflect on all the amazing people we've met and things we've seen at #PyCon2019. Special Guest: Gabrielle Rabinowitz.
May 05, 2019•39 min•Ep. 19
Kelly and Sean are headed to their first PyCon next week. In this special mini-episode, they discuss their Top 5 things that they're looking forward to at the conference. Are you going? Want to meet up with us? Send us a tweet!
Apr 24, 2019•8 min•Ep. 18
Kelly and Sean get motivation from Michael Kennedy’s (https://twitter.com/mkennedy) Talk Python to Me (https://talkpython.fm) podcast episode Beginners and Experts (https://talkpython.fm/episodes/show/203/beginners-and-experts-in-software-development). Where Michaels and the panelists discuss, how do you go about attacking a problem? In this episode, Kelly and Sean digest abstraction and analytical thinking in the school setting and how computational thinking plays a part in all this. They discu...
Apr 22, 2019•47 min•Ep. 17
Sean and Kelly continue their conversation about the philosophy and ethics of machine learning and artificial intelligence in Python. This episode focuses more on resources and tools for AI learning after last episode's focus on philosophy and ethics.
Apr 02, 2019•45 min•Ep. 16
After a two day workshop on AI and Deep Learning, Kelly and Sean get philosophical about Python. From deep fakes to logical proofs to future non-driving generations that rely on self-driving cars, they'll explore the close relationship between computer science, ethics, and philosophy
Mar 20, 2019•40 min•Ep. 15
With their school's Innovation Institute coming up, Kelly and Sean explore the topic of innovation in education. How do you cultivate it in yourself and others? What skills help you become more innovative? How do you teach it? With more than 35 combined years of experience working or teaching in innovation areas, Kelly and Sean have a lot to share. This week's episode includes resources from innovation thought leaders, tips to become more innovative in your classroom, and a review of critical sk...
Mar 07, 2019•43 min•Ep. 14
In this episode, Kelly and Sean talk to Joshua Lowe, a Python entrepreneur who invented Edublocks (https://www.edublocks.org) to help bridge the gap from Scratch (https://scratch.mit.edu) to Edublocks and then into Python 3. Joshua started learning Python in 2013 and wanted to find a way to make it easier for others to understand. Special Guest: Josh Lowe.
Mar 02, 2019•35 min•Ep. 13
In this episode, Kelly and Sean meet Bob and Julian from PyBit.es to discuss strategies, and how to seek advice and motivation when learning Python. Bob is a driven Pythonista working as a software developer at Oracle.. Bob is passionate about automation, data, web development, code quality, and mentoring other developers.” Julian is a Data Centre Technician at Amazon Web Services. He started coding a few years ago and codes for fun and to solve everyday projects. Together they founded PyBites, ...
Feb 21, 2019•45 min•Ep. 12
How do you know your students are really learning in Computer Science? In this episode, Sean and Kelly dig into developing the learner-centered classroom and some of the pedagogical philosophy of how to look for learning in your teaching.
Feb 14, 2019•31 min•Ep. 11
This week, we're discussing how to use a very old programming tool to teach modern concepts. That's right, it's the return of the Turtle tool! Kelly and Sean will explore why this Python 2-era library based on a 53-year old concept still works so well to teach fundamental programming concepts. Want to learn how we use Turtle in the classroom? Kelly and Sean will go through our best practices, preferred starting points, helpful resources we've used, and desired outcomes for this tool.
Feb 04, 2019•38 min•Ep. 10
This week, we're joined by Peter Kazarinoff (https://pythonforundergradengineers.com/pages/about.html), Professor of Engineering and Engineering Technology at Portland Community College to discuss how adult learners can learn Python, the use of Jupyter notebooks as teaching tools, and some of the common goals of learners of diverse ages, backgrounds, and education levels. Joined by your usual co-hosts, Kelly and Sean, we explore some of the different approaches needed for adult learners, the com...
Jan 29, 2019•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 9
Persistence is defined as the ability to stick with something. In the educational world it is often used interchangeably with the phrases: Sticktoitiveness, grit or perseverance. In this episode, we will discuss how to develop persistence in programming for all learners. Whether your students already have an innate ability to stick with coding or if you are hoping to instill the “desire” in your students, Sean and Kelly will examine ways that they develop persistence in programming in their clas...
Jan 21, 2019•37 min•Ep. 8
In this week's episode, Kelly and Sean discuss one of the tools that we like to use in class: the BBC micro:bit (https://www.microbit.org). Thanks to the instant feedback and physical/tactile nature of the device, this inexpensive little IoT device makes the process of learning Python more intuitive for students. It's also an easy starting point for those teachers who are new to coding. There are many advantages to using a physical computing device in a school setting and we will walk you throug...
Jan 15, 2019•43 min•Ep. 7
Kelly and Sean are back this in this week's episode to talk about the role of coding challenges for student understanding. Coding challenges are teacher-defined coding problems that students tackle individually or in groups with more than one possible solution. The advantages of these challenges compared to passive learning include deeper retention of skills and knowledge, opportunities for social and emotional education, and increased student confidence through subject mastery. What are coding ...
Jan 10, 2019•37 min•Ep. 6
This week, co-hosts Kelly Schuster-Paredes (https://twitter.com/kellypared) and Sean Tibor (https://twitter.com/smtibor) talk about their preferred methods for building student resilience while learning Python. Every learner reaches a point where they may get frustrated, discouraged, or want to give up. How can you help them get past that moment and rebuild momentum? How do you recognize those moments? What can you do as a coach and mentor to help them? What activities help prevent those moments...
Dec 31, 2018•29 min•Ep. 5
This week, Kelly and Sean review their top Python books for teachers. They cover everything from classics like Automate the Boring Stuff with Python (https://amzn.to/2V7YD47) and Invent Your Own Computer Games (https://amzn.to/2LzsxtS) to the newest books like Impractical Python Projects (https://amzn.to/2EHdpdh) and Coffee Break Python (https://amzn.to/2BwS0PP). If you're looking for a good book for your winter break, there's bound to be one that will suit you here. Brew up a nice cup of tea or...
Dec 24, 2018•31 min•Ep. 4
We've noticed that many of our students have a moment where everything 'clicks' and they make a leap forward in their knowledge of Python. Kelly and Sean discuss strategies to ensure that this happens, including coding challenges, metacognitive discussion, and formative assessments. Flow states are another phenomenon that indicates deep learning and knowledge acquisition. We've defined that as a state of increased productivity, focus, and absorption.
Dec 17, 2018•34 min•Ep. 3
What does the first week of Python look like for new coders? Where do you start? Is it better to jump right in or give them a softer start? We'll talk about everything from what exercises work best, how to get new Python coders started with an IDE like Mu Editor, and more. In this episode, Kelly and Sean talk about starting the first week of teaching Python. We take a look why we choose to teach Python in our Computer Science Course. We also give a few tips on how we set expectations, establish ...
Dec 10, 2018•30 min•Ep. 2
Dec 05, 2018•32 min•Ep. 1
