In the latest episode of Teaching Python, “Episode 131: Embracing the Spark with Lightning Talks,” hosts Sean Tibor and Kelly Schuster-Paredes delve into how the concise and dynamic format of Lightning Talks can revolutionize teaching and learning. Beyond the light-hearted introduction that sets the tone for a spirited exchange, the episode offers a deep dive into the essence of Lightning Talks. Through engaging discussions, Sean and Kelly share personal insights and practical examples of incorporating this format into classroom settings, from coding classes to improving public speaking skills among students.

Listeners will gain valuable strategies for employing Lightning Talks as a pedagogical tool, with emphasis on their simplicity, the encouragement of critical thinking, and the promotion of a more inclusive and engaging learning environment. The episode is rich with anecdotes and experiences, highlighting how these brief, impromptu presentations can ease the anxiety associated with public speaking, inspire creativity, and facilitate a deeper connection with subject matter. Furthermore, the conversation also touches on the adaptability of Lightning Talks across different educational contexts, offering listeners a comprehensive view on integrating this format into their teaching repertoire to ignite enthusiasm and foster a vibrant learning culture.

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In this episode, we grapple with the provocative question: Is coding still relevant in a rapidly evolving world dominated by generative AI? Our engaging panel discussion features insights from Sean Tibor and Kelly Schuster-Paredes, hosts and creators of the renowned Teaching Python podcast, along with a lineup of distinguished guests. Each voice adds a unique perspective on how AI is reshaping the landscape of coding and education.

Joining the discussion, we have Michael Kennedy from the Talk Python To Me podcast, known for his expertise in Python and its applications across various domains. Next, Blake Rayfield, a professor at Northern Arizona University, shares his perspective on the role of AI in higher education and research. The episode is rounded out with Brian Okken, host of the Python Test podcast, who provides a critical look at how AI is influencing software testing and development practices.

Together, this panel navigates the complex terrain of AI's role in coding and education, sparking insightful debates and offering viewpoints that reflect the diverse spectrum of thought in the tech community.

Special Guests: Blake Rayfield, Brian Okken, and Michael Kennedy.

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Join Sean and Kelly in this QuickBites episode as they explore the technique of live coding presentations in education. They highlight the cognitive benefits, such as active learning and enhanced understanding, as well as the engagement and communication fostered through this teaching method. The conversation covers the importance of error normalization, metacognition, critical thinking, and student participation, emphasizing the role live coding plays in empowering students to solve problems and build confidence in their coding abilities.

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In episode 128 of Teaching Python, hosts Sean Tibor and Kelly Schuster-Paredes dive into the world of coding education, focusing on the journey from block to text coding. They are joined by Charlie Meyer, co-founder and CEO of Pick Code, to discuss strategies and tools that make learning to code an engaging and enjoyable experience for students. The conversation also covers personal anecdotes from the hosts and guest, emphasizing the balance between fun and learning in coding education.

Today's Topics:

• Making Coding Engaging
• Personal Coding Stories and Teachings
• Tools and Strategies for Coding Education

Special Guest: Charlie Meyer.

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Links:

• Pickcode | The coding platform for education — Pickcode's online editor is the easiest way to teach and learn programming

This episode of Teaching Python is a quick bite about setting goals. Sean Tibor and Kelly Schuster-Paredes discuss the importance of goal setting and how it can lead to personal and professional growth. They explore different types of goals, such as accomplishment goals and transformative goals, and share strategies for setting and achieving them. The episode emphasizes the benefits of goal setting in education, including improved academic outcomes, increased motivation, and the development of critical life skills. Sean and Kelly also provide tips for creating a culture of goal setting within the classroom or workplace.

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In Episode 126 of the "Teaching Python" podcast, hosts Sean Tibor and Kelly Schuster-Paredes delve into the fascinating realm of projects and portfolios for young coders. Expanding on the importance of showcasing coding skills, they explore how portfolios act as a powerful tool to demonstrate creativity, discipline, and coding standards. By creating a portfolio, students can present a comprehensive view of their work, allowing others to peek into their coding thought process and evaluate their unique voice as programmers.

Sean and Kelly discuss how portfolios can give young coders a competitive edge when it comes to college admissions and job applications. They emphasize the significance of going beyond traditional academic achievements, such as grades and test scores, and highlight the value of tangible evidence of their coding prowess. By curating a collection of their projects, students not only provide a window into their technical abilities but also provide important context about their inspirations, intentions, and the thought process behind each project.

Moreover, the hosts discuss the benefits of contributing to open-source projects and sharing code on platforms like GitHub. They acknowledge the initial discomfort, but encourage young coders to take the leap and submit contributions, highlighting how these experiences can enhance their portfolios and provide valuable talking points in interviews. Additionally, they discuss the emerging trend of universities and employers conducting online background checks, making a well-crafted online presence, including portfolios and LinkedIn profiles, essential for young coders.

In this insightful episode, Sean and Kelly provide practical advice, personal anecdotes, and valuable insights, helping young coders understand the significance of projects and portfolios in their educational and professional journeys. Tune in to gain valuable tips on standing out, showcasing your skills, and navigating the world of coding portfolios and projects!

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In episode 125 of Teaching Python, hosts Sean Tibor and Kelly Schuster-Paredes dive into the concept of micro learning, discussing its benefits in fostering long-term memory retention and profound comprehension. The hosts advocate formalizing micro learning--breaking down topics into approachable, bite-sized segments--and discuss its application in the move towards more immediate, more specific, and ultimately more impactful and rewarding feedback. The discussion also covers the idea of 'laddering' a series of micro learning experiences to achieve larger, long-term objectives, the value of diverse learning materials, and even the role of badges and credentials in incentivizing continuous education.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
00:11 Exploring the Concept of Micro Learning
01:02 Understanding Macro Learning
01:11 The Evolution of Education
04:46 The Role of Micro Learning in Professional Development
05:56 The Methodology of Micro Learning
06:12 Micro Learning in the Classroom
08:49 The Benefits of Micro Learning
21:00 The Importance of Feedback in Micro Learning
28:30 The Role of Gamification in Micro Learning
33:40 Conclusion: The Future of Micro Learning

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In this episode, Sean and Kelly focus on maintaining engagement in a pedagogical and professional setting during interaction with AI. They share meaningful anecdotes from their respective fields, offering a variety of methods to increase productivity and interest. Kelly, as an educator, discusses including the students in the technology integrations by letting them understand and contribute to the process. Sean, from a developer perspective, emphasizes on the importance of accountability, leaning into external relationships, having more concrete definitions of tasks, and stepping away when needed for better productivity.

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In this commemorative episode, Kelly and Sean celebrate their fifth year at Teaching Python. They reflect upon the origins of the podcast, how it has evolved, successes and challenges they've faced, and valuable lessons learned over the years. This episode underscores the importance of embracing continued learning, of staying persistent, and validates the magic of teaching and learning alongside students.

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In Episode 122 of Teaching Python, hosts Sean Tibor and Kelly Schuster-Paredes, explore the multifaceted role of AI in society together with their special guest, Cecilia Danesi. An expert in AI ethics and social impact, Cecilia shares in depth knowledge and interesting insights on the influence AI wields in different aspects of society. The episode covers a broad range of topics underlining the importance of AI in education, the concerns around algorithmic bias, the hard-hitting implications of irresponsible AI usage, the challenges and responsibilities shouldered by educators, among others. Tune in for an eye-opening episode ensuring a broader understanding of AI and the ethical standards required in its use.

Special Guest: Cecilia Celeste Danesi.

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Links:

• The Empire of Algorithms — In today's world, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is playing an increasingly central role in our lives.
• Abstract, ubiquitous and opaque: The challenges of AI regulation — Prof Cecilia Danesi discusses the ethical governance of AI and the difficulty of balance in AI regulation.
• El imperio de los algoritmos | Cecilia Danesi
• Inteligencia Artificial y Derecho | Cecilia Danesi

In this episode of Teaching Python, hosts Sean Tibor and Kelly Schuster-Paredes dive into the world of teaching coding with their special guest, the Board of Knowledge. This unique teaching tool, a large whiteboard spanning the back wall of their computer science classroom, is a visual representation of coding concepts and serves as a valuable resource for sixth graders. Sean and Kelly explore how the Board of Knowledge reduces cognitive load, scaffolds learning, and utilizes dual coding techniques to enhance students' understanding of coding principles. They also discuss the benefits of having a communal set of shared knowledge and the impact it has on students' learning experience. Tune in to discover how this innovative teaching tool can transform your coding lessons!

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Links:

• Online Python Tutor - visualize, debug, get AI help for Python, Java, C, C++, and JavaScript — Python Tutor helps you do programming homework assignments in Python, Java, C, C++, and JavaScript. It contains a unique step-by-step visual debugger and AI tutor to help you understand and debug code.
• Welcome - Barbara Oakley