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Toward Diversifying Computer Science With Novel Interest-Based Models of Students

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Conference

2022 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Location

Minneapolis, MN

Publication Date

August 23, 2022

Start Date

June 26, 2022

End Date

June 29, 2022

Conference Session

Technological and Engineering Literacy - Philosophy of Engineering Division Technical Session 1

Page Count

14

DOI

10.18260/1-2--40949

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/40949

Download Count

359

Paper Authors

biography

Joshua Gross

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Joshua Gross is an assistant professor of computer science at CSUMB. He spent nearly a decade as a software engineer, earning an MS in software engineering from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. He holds a PhD in information sciences and technology from Penn State, where his research focused on the intersection of artificial intelligence and human-computer interaction. His current research is focused on the psychology of programming, with the goal of better understanding factors that support student success in undergraduate computer science coursework and in software development professions, with the hope of addressing the severe shortfall of qualified developers.

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biography

Keyoni McNair

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Keyoni McNair is an incoming Software Developer at SAP. She recently completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science with a Concentration in Software Engineering at California State University, Monterey Bay. She was a founding officer in an ACM-W Chapter and a teaching assistant for two upper-division computer science courses. Her research interests include diversity in computer science, retention in lower division computer science courses, and promotion of computer science education.

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Abstract

Computing disciplines face a profound diversity challenge, and recent efforts have not fundamentally altered the demographics of the field. Part of the challenge comes from stereotypes of computer science students that emphasize a narrow set of interests that is demonstrably alienating to many of the students we wish to recruit and retain. This paper describes the challenges that stereotypes represent, and describes a novel approach to understanding computer science students based on shared interests in diverse areas. The development of the survey instrument is described, along with initial tests of validity and descriptive statistics reported from students majoring in computer science and other fields.

Gross, J., & McNair, K. (2022, August), Toward Diversifying Computer Science With Novel Interest-Based Models of Students Paper presented at 2022 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Minneapolis, MN. 10.18260/1-2--40949

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