Reducing Barriers to Teaching Novice Learners How to Code

Oregon Convention Center 

Room: CC-G131 

Writing code is an essential component to learning and doing statistics and data science. Yet, we hear many educators voice their hesitancy and frustrations teaching coding to novice learners in introductory statistics and data science courses. The panelists in this session will share pedagogical techniques (and philosophies) they have found the most successful when teaching coding to novice learners in a variety of settings, from introductory statistics and data science courses to workshops for a diverse community of learners. Statistics and data science educators Mine Cetinkaya-Rundel, Todd Iverson, and Kelly Bodwin will discuss their approaches to teaching coding in introductory courses. Mine energizes students on Day 1 by "letting them eat cake," whereas Todd takes a "writing first coding second" approach, and Kelly utilizes gameful activities to heighten students' interest and engagement while learning. Karen Word, the director of instructor training for The Carpentries, will offer perspectives on coaching individuals with potentially little teaching experience to facilitate workshops for a diverse group of novice learners.

Yes

Section on Statistical Computing

Justice Equity Diversity and Inclusion Outreach Group

Section on Statistics and Data Science Education