1. A new theory of PL knowledge.
It’s the first theory that accounts for how people use causal inference to build mapping of syntax to semantics, and can help predict and explain difficulties in learning to code.
2. The design of a PL tutor. This tool is so exciting! By offering an interactive way of rapidly building syntax/semantics causal inference mappings, students can robustly learn to trace programs in a PL in hours.
3. The design of precise formative assessments of PL knowledge, providing granular diagnostic insight into learner conceptions. Greg explored this for both PL syntax/semantics, as well as advanced CS topics that depend on such knowledge.
If these design ideas were deployed at scale in CS learning, I predict that PL learning would shift from one of the rockiest parts of learning to code to a seamless and quick first lesson in reading code, providing a strong foundation for learning to write it.
Congratulations @GregNN, I am so impressed by your work, your incredible intellect, and your passion for groundbreaking discovery!
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Too often, CS education teaches only the technical. In this book, we reimagine the technical in social terms, teaching both CS content knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge that teachers need to help youth understand how computing is shaping society, often in harmful ways.
Thank you to my wonderful coauthors, @beitlers, Brett Wortzman, Matt Davidson, @Alannnah, @mara__kr, and @Stefania_druga, to everyone who gave early feedback, and to @NSF for funding the work.
For those who need a summary of the history behind the Harper’s letter calling for good faith debate, here’s a thread, presented in the form of a middle school conflict at recess. 1/N
Amy: Hi, I’m Amy. I’m trans.
Todd: Ug, gross, you’re an it, go away.
Amy: But... I’m not an it.
Todd: Yes you are.
Amy: No... I’m Amy, I’m a person.
Todd: I don’t think so. That’s just my opinion.
Amy: I don’t want to talk to you anymore.
Todd: [chases after Amy]
Todd: What, you think I’m wrong?
Amy: You are wrong. I’m a person.
Todd: Too scared to debate me?
Amy: No, I just think you’re being mean.
Todd: [Calls over his friends]
Todd: This it won’t talk to me.
Amy: Stop bothering me!
Todd: Should we make it talk to us?