Once Upon a Tech

Chapter Thirty-two: 2021 Reflections with Sarah and Kim

It’s almost 2022! Time to reflect on 2021, Once Upon a Tech Style… with guessing games, challenges, and a good old fashioned lightning round :) Thanks for listening this year, and for being a part of our community at the intersection of technology and literacy. We’re so glad you’re here!  PS: We want to know - if you had to choose one word to describe YOUR 2021, what would it be?? Find resources here.

Chapter Thirty-one: We talk with Kala Somerville, Executive Director of C4K

What does the executive director of a nonprofit organization do? How does a nonprofit organization grow and change to meet the evolving needs of a community? What does it feel like to be at the helm of a community nonprofit organization navigating a global pandemic? We went all in with the BIG questions for our interview with Kala Somerville, Executive Director of beloved Charlottesville nonprofit C4K. And even though there were no softballs in the mix, Kala hit it out of the park! Don’t miss this interview’s sneak peek behind the curtain at how organizations like C4K operate and work to make the world a better place. Find resources here.

Episode 7: Formative Assessment in K-8 CS with Shuchi Grover

The goal of this blog and podcast series is to bring CS education research into the K-8 classroom. In this episode, I take a deep dive into two papers: Designing an Assessment for Introductory Programming Concepts in Middle School Computer Science (2020) and Assessing Algorithmic & Computational Thinking in K-12: Lessons from a Middle School Classroom (2017) with Shuchi Grover. She is a learning scientist and computer science and STEM education researcher. Shuchi's research is primarily centered on computational thinking, CS education, and STEM learning in the PK-14 years with a focus on the design of curriculum, assessments, tools, and environments. Find resources here.

Episode 6: Equitable CS teaching strategies with Luther Tychonievich

The goal of this blog and podcast series is to bring CS education research into the K-8 classroom. In this episode, I take a deep dive into two papers: Tapestry Workshops: Helping High School Teachers Grow and Diversify Computing and Lessons Learned from Providing Hundreds of Hours of Diversity Training with Luther Tychonievich. He is an Associate Professor of CS at the University of Virginia. I first met Luther when he got involved with the CS Institute in 2019, helping us bring the equitable CS teaching strategies he talks about in this episode to K-8 teachers. Find resources here.

Chapter Thirty: We talk with Eric Bredder about his path to becoming a PhD student & so much more!

This week’s podcast guest is:

A. teacher, technology enthusiast, and reader
B. student, problem solver, and creative thinker
C. maker, a developer, and a lifelong learner
D. All of the above

The answer is… D! We’re so excited to introduce you to Eric Bredder, a PhD student at the UVA School of Education. Eric is a passionate educator who loves teaching - and because of that, he’s determined to change the system. From expanding the definition of literacy to giving tips for stubborn 3D printers, we asked Eric about it all! Find resources here.

Episode 5: From researcher to edtech entrepreneur with Tom Lauwers

The goal of this blog and podcast series is to bring CS education research into the K-8 classroom. In this episode, I take a deep dive into two papers: Robot Diaries: Broadening Participation in the Computer Science Pipeline through Social Technical Exploration and Designing the Finch: Creating a Robot Aligned to Computer Science Concepts with Tom Lauwers. He is the founder and CEO of Birdbrain Technologies. Find resources here.

Episode 4: Elementary and middle school as a path to future CS with Michelle Friend

In this episode, I take a deep dive into two papers: Middle school girls’ envisioned future in computing and Bricklayer: Elementary Students Learn Math through Programming and Art with Michelle Friend. She is an Assistant Professor of Teacher Education at the University of Nebraska Omaha. I first met Michelle through the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) where she is a founding and current board member. Find resources here.

Chapter Twenty-nine: We talk with Isabel about her love of books and computer science

October 11 is International Day of the Girl and what better way to celebrate than to share our interview with Isabel Humphreys, a junior in high school, who loves books & computer science. She is helping bridge the gender gap in STEM by mentoring young women to help them see a place for themselves in STEM. Isabel started her journey into computer science in elementary school and a note for all you parents and educators out there, encouragement is key. In high school, she challenges herself to speak up & set a tone for inclusivity in her majority-male classes. Isabel is also one of the most passionate and accomplished readers Ms. Fitz has ever taught! Find resources here.

Episode 3: Supporting Diverse Learners in K-8 Computational Thinking with Jean Salac

In this episode, I take a deep dive into two papers: TIPP&SEE: A Learning Strategy to Guide Students through Use–>Modify Scratch Activities and Supporting Diverse Learners in K-8 Computational Thinking with TIPP&SEE with Jean Salac. Jean is a Computer Science PhD candidate and NSF Graduate Fellow at the University of Chicago's CANON Lab working with Professor Diana Franklin. She has a passion for CS instruction that is accessible and effective for people from under-served communities, making computing accessible for everyone and closing the digital divide. Find resources here.

Episode 2: Continuous CS professional development with Jared O’Leary

The goal of this blog and podcast series is to bring CS education research into the K-8 classroom. In this episode, I take a deep dive into the paper Measuring the effect of continuous professional development on elementary teachers’ self-efficacy to teach coding and computational thinking with one it’s authors Jared O’Leary. Jared is the Director of Education and Research at BootUp. BootUp is a non-profit that provides professional development (PD) to K-8 educators at a district level. They take a continuous PD approach which means their goal is to work with teachers several times throughout the year, over a 2-3 year span. Find resources here.