Teaching Comp Sci with David Zabner, PhD Candidate

05/19/25 • 54 min

I host David Zabner, 4th year PhD Candidate at Tufts University to tell me all about his research — improving Computer Science education! I start with an intro about why this subject specifically can be so challenging to teach and learn, then David tells me about his background and different research projects he’s done to improve education at different levels. He emphasizes the importance of interactive and practical learning, comparing it to learning a second language.

Enjoy, thanks for listening, and send this episode to a friend!

00:00 Intro & Background

06:15 Learning Theories and Teaching Methods

11:49 Challenges in Computer Science Education

36:31 Impact of Large Language Models

41:08 Future Projects

Music: 368 by Dyalla

Enjoy, thanks for listening, and send this episode to a friend!

00:00 Intro & Background

06:15 Learning Theories and Teaching Methods

11:49 Challenges in Computer Science Education

36:31 Impact of Large Language Models

41:08 Future Projects

Music: 368 by Dyalla

Previous Episode

Ancient Earth with Amanda Calhoun, PhD Candidate

In this episode, I host Amanda Calhoun, PhD candidate in the Earth and Planetary Sciences program at Harvard! In one project, Amanda uses carbon isotopes to uncover signs of ancient life. In another project, Amanda uses pyrite (fool’s gold!) to understand Earth’s oxygen history.

Listen to hear about the history of both our atmosphere and life itself!

00:00 Intro and Overview

02:46 Research Projects Explained

05:41 Fieldwork and Sample Collection

12:35 Goals & Implications of projects

15:27 Origins of Life, Applications, and Environmental Impact

21:04 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Music: 368 by Dyalla

Next Episode

Planets, Meteorites, & Paleoclimate with Professor Roger Fu

This week, I had the privilege to interview Professor Roger Fu from Harvard's Earth and Planetary Sciences department. We cover planet formation in our early solar system, harvesting samples from meteorites, tectonic plate motion, paleoclimate research, and science funding in Boston! Professor Fu has a really unique perspective from his time studying astronomy in Chile and also leading research projects in university settings.

If you like the episode, please subscribe and rate the episode wherever you're listening, and send it to a friend!

00:00 Intro

01:57 Astronomy in Chile

12:38 Planetary Formation

15:21 Meteorites and Magnetic Fields

20:34 Paleoclimate Research

33:04 NASA’s Influence

35:29 Engaging Students and the Public

Music: 368 by Dyalla