Listen "Episode 3.5 - Jon & Joe"
Episode Synopsis
In this episode, we’re digging into one of the most relevant questions in CS education today: should teachers try to “keep up” with emerging technologies, or is it more impactful to focus on the foundational concepts that transcend languages and platforms? We talk about what it's like to be a new teacher trying to create a modern classroom, and how the pressure to chase what’s new can sometimes distract from the core skills that truly transfer.
We also explore the pedagogical debate between block-based and text-based coding—what rigor looks like in each, what skills they develop, and when it makes sense to use one over the other. There’s a great discussion on using whiteboards as a powerful tool for teaching coding, plus a look at two standout resource books that support foundational learning: A to Z of CS Education by Shuchi Grover, and Coding Art by Mathias Funk and Yu Zhang, a creative take on learning through visual projects.
Finally, we dive into the concepts of inductive vs. deductive learning in CS, and how giving students agency in their learning journey can shape not just what they learn, but how they engage with it.
We also explore the pedagogical debate between block-based and text-based coding—what rigor looks like in each, what skills they develop, and when it makes sense to use one over the other. There’s a great discussion on using whiteboards as a powerful tool for teaching coding, plus a look at two standout resource books that support foundational learning: A to Z of CS Education by Shuchi Grover, and Coding Art by Mathias Funk and Yu Zhang, a creative take on learning through visual projects.
Finally, we dive into the concepts of inductive vs. deductive learning in CS, and how giving students agency in their learning journey can shape not just what they learn, but how they engage with it.
More episodes of the podcast Classy Coders
Episode 2.0 - Greg and Matt
07/03/2025
Episode 2.5 - Greg and Matt
21/03/2025
Episode 3.0 - Jon & Joe
07/04/2025
Episode 4.0 - Denise and Dora
07/05/2025
Episode 4.5 - Denise and Dora
21/05/2025
Special AI Episode Pt 1
07/06/2025
Special AI Episode Pt 2
21/06/2025
Episode 6 - Data Scientists and Lab Schools
14/07/2025
ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.