Why the "Mary Poppins of Computing" Says We Must Change the Way We Teach Tech | Linda Liukas (Author of "Hello Ruby")

Linda Liukas is a programmer, children’s book author, and the creator of Hello Ruby, a whimsical series that teaches computing concepts through stories and play. She’s also the force behind a one-of-a-kind playground in Helsinki—designed to teach kids how computers work without them ever touching a screen.

In this episode, Linda shares why, especially with the rise of AI and code-writing copilots, we need to rethink the way we teach tech. 

Linda, a.k.a. the “Mary Poppins of Computing”, is on a mission to bring more whimsy, creativity, and fearlessness to kids and grown-ups alike. Enjoy this very fun episode!

You’ll learn:

• Why physical play helps us grasp abstract computing concepts
• How software makers can benefit from thinking like educators
• What “unplugged computing” looks like—and why it works
• How to cultivate creativity, curiosity, and fearlessness in tech teams
• Why learning through play isn’t just for kids
• What Linda’s AI experiments with tiny personal datasets reveal about the future of learning

Chapters

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (01:42) - What it means to be the “Mary Poppins of Computing”
• (02:18) - Designing the Computer Playground
• (05:43) - Why play is an ideal way to teach programming
• (09:26) - Why software organizations should embrace play
• (13:19) - AI and play
• (14:47) - Learn to code vs. learn to program; how to become future-proof
• (21:20) - Hello Ruby: how Linda accidentally became a children’s book author
• (25:35) - Building more playgrounds and more fun ideas on teaching through play

Links & Resources

• Linda’s website
• Linda’s Newsletter
• Hello Ruby – Linda’s book series and learning platform
• The Computer Playground in Helsinki

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