ABSTRACT
In this paper we present a pilot program at San Francisco State University, Promoting INclusivity in Computing (PINC), that is designed to achieve two goals simultaneously: (i) improving diversity in computing, and (ii) increasing computing literacy in data-intensive fields. To achieve these goals, the PINC program enrolls undergraduate students from non Computer Science (non-CS) fields, such as, Biology, that have become increasingly data-driven, and that traditionally attract diverse student population. PINC incorporates several well-established pedagogical practices, such as, cohort-based program structure, near-peer mentoring, and project-driven learning, to attract, retain, and successfully graduate a highly diverse and interdisciplinary student body. On successful completion of the program, students are awarded a minor in Computing Applications. Since its inception 18 months ago, 60 students have participated in this program. Of these 73% are women, and 51% are underrepresented minorities (URM). 74% of the participating students had nominal or no exposure to computer programming before PINC. Findings from student surveys show that majority of the PINC students now feel less intimidated about computer programming, and vividly see its utility and necessity. For several students, participation in the PINC program has already opened up career pathways (industry and academic summer internships) that were not available to them before.
- 2017. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2017). Computer and Information Research Scientists. Occupational Outlook Handbook. 2016-17 (2017).Google Scholar
- Monica Babes-Vroman, Isabel Juniewicz, Bruno Lucarelli, Nicole Fox, Thu Nguyen, Andrew Tjang, Georgiana Haldeman, Ashni Mehta, and Risham Chokshi. 2017. Exploring Gender Diversity in CS at a Large Public R1 Research University. In Proceedings of the 2017 ACM SIGCSE Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education. ACM, 51–56. Google ScholarDigital Library
- Stephanie Bell. 2010. Project-based learning for the 21st century: Skills for the future. The Clearing House 83, 2 (2010), 39–43.Google ScholarCross Ref
- Sylvia Beyer, Kristina Rynes, and Susan Haller. 2004. Deterrents to women taking computer science courses. IEEE technology and society magazine 23, 1 (2004), 21–28.Google Scholar
- Phyllis C Blumenfeld, Elliot Soloway, Ronald W Marx, Joseph S Krajcik, Mark Guzdial, and Annemarie Palincsar. 1991. Motivating project-based learning: Sustaining the doing, supporting the learning. Educational psychologist 26, 3-4 (1991), 369–398.Google Scholar
- Beverley E Crane. 2009. Using WEB 2.0 tools in the K-12 classroom. Neal-Schuman Publishers. Google ScholarDigital Library
- Adrienne Decker and Monica M McGill. 2017. Pre-College Computing Outreach Research: Towards Improving the Practice. In Proceedings of the 2017 ACM SIGCSE Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education. ACM, 153–158. Google ScholarDigital Library
- Eleanor Drago-Severson, Deborah Helsing, Robert Kegan, Nancy Popp, Maria Broderick, and Kathryn Portnow. 2001. The power of a cohort and of collaborative groups. Focus on Basics 5, 2 (2001), 15–22.Google Scholar
- Allan Fisher and Jane Margolis. 2002. Unlocking the clubhouse: the Carnegie Mellon experience. ACM SIGCSE Bulletin 34, 2 (2002), 79–83. Google ScholarDigital Library
- Ann Gates, Nelly Delgado, Andrew Bernat, and Sergio Cabrera. 2006. Building affinity groups to enable and encourage student success in computing. Women in Engineering ProActive Network (2006).Google Scholar
- Geneva Gay. 2010. Culturally responsive teaching: Theory, research, and practice. Teachers College Press.Google Scholar
- David K Gosser, Mark S Cracolice, JA Kampmeier, Vicki Roth, Victor S Strozak, and Pratibha Varma-Nelson. 2001. Peer-Led Team Learning: A Guidebook. Virginia: Prentice Hall.Google Scholar
- Susan Horwitz, Susan H Rodger, Maureen Biggers, David Binkley, C Kolin Frantz, Dawn Gundermann, Susanne Hambrusch, Steven Huss-Lederman, Ethan Munson, Barbara Ryder, and others. 2009. Using peer-led team learning to increase participation and success of under-represented groups in introductory computer science. In ACM SIGCSE Bulletin, Vol. 41. ACM, 163–167. Google ScholarDigital Library
- Sarah E Johnson, Jennifer A Richeson, and Eli J Finkel. 2011. Middle class and marginal? Socioeconomic status, stigma, and self-regulation at an elite university. Journal of personality and social psychology 100, 5 (2011), 838.Google ScholarCross Ref
- KL Kephart, EQ Villa, Ann Quiroz Gates, and Steve Roach. 2008. The affinity research group model: Creating and maintaining dynamic, productive and inclusive research groups. Council on Undergraduate Research Quarterly 28, 4 (2008), 13–24.Google Scholar
- Laursen L. 2008. No, YouâĂŹre Not an Impostor. Science Careers (2008). http: //www.sciencemag.org/careers/2008/02/no-youre-not-impostorGoogle Scholar
- Thom Markham. 2011. Project based learning a bridge just far enough. Teacher Librarian 39, 2 (2011), 38.Google Scholar
- Toni Schmader, Michael Johns, and Chad Forbes. 2008. An integrated process model of stereotype threat effects on performance. Psychological review 115, 2 (2008), 336.Google Scholar
- Claude M Steele. 1997. A threat in the air: How stereotypes shape intellectual identity and performance. American psychologist 52, 6 (1997), 613.Google Scholar
- Olle Ten Cate and Steven Durning. 2007. Dimensions and psychology of peer teaching in medical education. Medical teacher 29, 6 (2007), 546–552.Google Scholar
Index Terms
- Promoting diversity in computing
Recommendations
Near-peer Led Workshops on Game Development for Broadening Participation and Diversity in Computing
ACM SE '19: Proceedings of the 2019 ACM Southeast ConferenceThe goal of a technology-focused service-learning course at an open access, baccalaureate degree granting institution is to increase the confidence and persistence of students, especially underrepresented students, in computing. An earlier study has ...
An introductory course format for promoting diversity and retention
We report on a pilot section of an introductory computing course offered at a top tier university through its engineering school. Although targeted for students with no prior programming experience, its goals were same as the goals of the other ...
An introductory course format for promoting diversity and retention
SIGCSE '07: Proceedings of the 38th SIGCSE technical symposium on Computer science educationWe report on a pilot section of an introductory computing course offered at a top tier university through its engineering school. Although targeted for students with no prior programming experience, its goals were same as the goals of the other ...
Comments