Updates to the R programming language, a new editor, and generative AI make 2026 a great time to try R. In this session you'll hear a quick pitch on why open source, code-first tools are a great fit for working with educational data. Then we'll go through some tips and workflow demos that will give you options for incorporating R into your work in minimally disruptive ways. We'll close with a robust plan for continuing on your own journey using and learning R.