James Newland, PhD

Computer Science Education Specialist
Expanding Pathways in Computing

Phone: 832-567-0882 | Email: jnewland@tacc.utexas.edu

James (Jimmy) Newland is a Computer Science Education Specialist for EPIC (Expanding Pathways in Computing) at UT Austin's Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC), where he helps educators learn computer science concepts and pedagogy so they can become certified computer science teachers.

Jimmy taught physics, astronomy, computer science, and web design for 28 years at Bellaire High School in Houston. He has also taught web design and web application programming as an adjunct in the Department of Information Science at the University of North Texas. He has a B.S. in physics and astronomy from Mississippi State University and an M.Ed. and Ph.D. in science education from the University of Houston. Jimmy is interested in investigating the integration of computer science and computational thinking into non-computing courses and the impacts of participation in authentic computing research projects on students and teachers. Jimmy is also interested in making computing equitable and open to all through research, education, and advocacy.

Selected Publications

Newland, J., & Wong, S. S. (2022). Visualize Your Pulse with Physical Computing. The Science Teacher90(2), 50–55.

Newland, J., In White, C. (editor and co-author). (2022). Culturally responsive and sustaining education: Framing diversity, equity, and social justice education in a local to global context Charlotte, NC: Information Age Press.

Newland, J., (2020). Teaching with Code: Globular Cluster Distance Lab. Research Notes of the AAS4(7), 118. https://doi.org/10.3847/2515-5172/aba953

Newland, J., (2019). Measuring the Milky Way with Stars Maker Challenge, TeachEngineering.org

Shaner, A., Allen, J., Shipp, S., Kramer, G., Nahm, A., Balazs, L., Fuller, J., Newland, J., Snyder, R., Kring, D., (2014). Exploration of the Moon and Asteroids by Secondary Students (ExMASS): An Authentic, Open-Inquiry Research Experience for High School Students, American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting.

Areas of Research

  • Computer Science Education
  • Computational Thinking Integration
  • Cross-Disciplinary Computing Integration
  • Equity in Computing
  • Teacher Education

Memberships

  • American Astronomical Society (AAS)
  • American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT)
  • American Physical Society (APS)
  • Association for Computing Machinery Special Interest Group on Computer Science Education (SIGCSE)
  • Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA)
  • National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)
  • Science Teachers Association of Texas (STAT)
  • Texas Computer Educator Association (TCEA)