The answer may be less about finding more time and more about building learning into the way you already work, solve problems, use AI, and connect with other people.

In Episode 163 of the Teaching Python Podcast, Sean Tibor, Kelly Schuster-Paredes, and Julian Sequeira discuss how they keep learning in a technology landscape shaped by rapid changes in AI, software development, and computing.

They compare practical approaches to continuous learning, including building projects, using commutes and downtime, scheduling dedicated learning time, asking ChatGPT and Claude questions as they come up, watching webinars, reading, experimenting with new tools, and learning from professional networks.

The conversation also explores what happens when you need to learn something you are not naturally interested in. They discuss adult learning, desirable difficulty, just-in-time learning, recursive learning, and why struggling with unfamiliar ideas can still be valuable even when AI can explain concepts instantly.

Along the way, they talk about vibe coding, AI as a learning partner, professional development, technical communities, balancing creation and consumption, and setting boundaries so that continuous learning does not become constant burnout.

If you are trying to keep up with AI, learn new technology, or continue developing technical skills without turning every spare moment into work, this episode offers a practical look at how learning can become part of everyday life.

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Kelly and Julian are joined by Microsoft Cloud Advocate Gwyneth Peña-Sigüenza to explore why working with small language models (SLMs) may be one of the best ways to understand AI. Rather than relying on increasingly capable models that hide complexity, Gwyneth argues that constraints build stronger fundamentals. From prompt engineering and context management to deployment and security, SLMs force learners to think more carefully about how AI actually works.

The conversation extends beyond AI models into learning itself. Gwyneth shares her self-taught journey from growing up on a remote farm in Ecuador with limited internet access to becoming a Microsoft Cloud Advocate and creator of the Learn to Cloud platform. Along the way, the group discusses productive struggle, mentorship, cloud engineering, Python, security, and what educators should prioritize as AI becomes part of every student's learning experience.

The episode closes with a thoughtful discussion about AI dependency, judgment, and whether we would actually flip the switch and turn AI off if given the choice.

Show Notes

Wins of the Week

• Gwyneth celebrates the New York Knicks reaching the NBA Finals after more than 50 years.
• Julian shares that he has accepted a new role as a Fractional CTO.
• Kelly reflects on taking her first real vacation in over a year—and how stepping away from work sparked unexpected ideas.

Small Language Models

• Why SLMs are valuable teaching tools
• Learning prompt engineering through constraints
• Running models locally on everyday hardware
• When local AI makes sense for classrooms
• Understanding tokens, context windows, and model limitations
• Why bigger models can sometimes hide important lessons

Learning Through Constraints

• Learning to drive in an old manual pickup truck as a metaphor for learning AI fundamentals
• Why difficult learning experiences often create lasting understanding
• Building strong habits before relying on more capable tools
• Consistency versus constantly chasing the newest resource

Self-Taught Learning

• Growing up without reliable internet in rural Ecuador
• Downloading YouTube playlists to learn programming offline
• Developing discipline through limited access
• The value of repetition and focused practice
• Why mentorship accelerates learning

Python Journey

• Transitioning from cloud engineering to Python advocacy
• Learning Python beyond scripting
• Discovering what "Pythonic" really means
• Wrestling with list comprehensions and other advanced syntax
• Favorite learning resources:
  • Fluent Python
  • Effective Python

Learn to Cloud

• Building an open-source cloud engineering curriculum
• Hands-on labs and automated verification
• AI-assisted assessment
• Supporting self-taught learners around the world
• Creating accessible technical education

Cloud, AI, and Security

• Deploying AI applications to the cloud
• Containers, virtual machines, and serverless deployments
• Why operations and security deserve more classroom attention
• Introducing secure development practices early
• The importance of authentication, secrets management, and responsible deployment

Teaching in the AI Era

• Helping students understand how AI works instead of simply using it
• Why productive struggle still matters
• The changing role of educators
• Balancing AI assistance with independent thinking
• Preparing students for a future where AI is always available

Final Thoughts

• AI dependency versus capability
• Judgment as the skill that matters most
• Human connection in an AI-driven world
• Would we actually turn AI off?
• Finding balance between technological progress and intentional learning

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Trey shares his experiences with listeners, starting with his recent venture into launching a 10-week Python course called Python High Five. He talks about the excitement and challenges of teaching across different time zones with this unique setup, highlighting the importance of accountability and the fun of learning alongside his students.

Throughout the episode, Sean and Kelly discuss the evolving landscape of AI and its impact on learning. Trey emphasizes the critical skill of asking the right questions, saying, "Knowing how to use that tool is a really valuable thing, but also knowing what to stick into the tool and how to evaluate the output of the tool is a really valuable thing."

The conversation transitions into the heart of Python programming, where Trey, Sean, and Kelly share their favorite features and nuances of Python. They explore the value of looping helpers and marvel at the elegance and simplicity of Python's tools and functions. Sean recalls a memorable teaching moment about Python turtle graphics, reflecting on the joy and discovery that comes with coding: "It was so cool that this sixth grader showed me how to do it."

This episode is not just about technical insights but also about the joy of teaching and learning. Trey, Kelly, and Sean discuss strategies for balancing the basics with advanced learning and the importance of having fun in the process. Join them for a warm, inclusive conversation that invites you to be part of their journey through the wonders of Python programming.

Special Guest: Trey Hunner.

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Links:

• Python Morsels: Write better Python code — Learning efficiently requires planning a path that repeatedly answers the question what skill should I learn next and how best can I learn it? Instead of wading through blog posts and YouTube videos in search of the next thing to learn, I can guide you. My name is Trey Hunner and I created Python Morsels to give life-long learners a low-stress way to improve their Python skills.
• PEP 636 – Structural Pattern Matching: Tutorial | peps.python.org — As an example to motivate this tutorial, you will be writing a text adventure. That is a form of interactive fiction where the user enters text commands to interact with a fictional world and receives text descriptions of what happens. Commands will be simplified forms of natural language like get sword, attack dragon, go north, enter shop or buy cheese.
• Amazon.com: The Worlds I See: Curiosity, Exploration, and Discovery at the Dawn of AI eBook : Li, Fei-Fei: Kindle Store — The Worlds I See is a story of science in the first person, documenting one of the century’s defining moments from the inside. It provides a riveting story of a scientist at work and a thrillingly clear explanation of what artificial intelligence actually is—and how it came to be. Emotionally raw and intellectually uncompromising, this book is a testament not only to the passion required for even the most technical scholarship but also to the curiosity forever at its heart.
• Blog Archive - Trey Hunner

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1. Personal Updates
   • Sean Tibor shares his excitement about meeting his overseas team members for the first time.
   • He also expresses pride at watching his first batch of students graduate and choose to study in computer science and related fields.
2. Future Learning Journeys
   • Kelly Schuster-Paredes reflects on the exciting learning opportunities the students will undertake.
   • She expresses hope that these students will return to share their experiences and insights (Teaching Python website).
3. Inviting Past Students on the Podcast
   • Both hosts discuss the possibility of inviting former students to the podcast as guests.
4. Current Students Excelling
   • Kelly shares an anecdote about a 6th grader surpassing her knowledge in Python's Turtle module.
5. Plans for the Podcast
   • Return in June with the first guest speaker of the year.
   • Considering a summer sabbatical to prepare for the upcoming school year.
   • Plans to enhance their Patreon community with exclusive benefits.
6. Reach Out!
   • Sean invites listeners to reach out via social platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
   • He also encourages feedback on potential topics or guests for future podcast episodes through their website contact form.
7. Signing Off
   • The hosts sign off, promising more Python learning insights and experiences in the next episodes.

For more details, visit the Teaching Python Podcast website.

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