Apr 03 2025 29 mins 8
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
More on Dan and CRAFTED.
