Contextualizing Computing Education: A Qualitative Study of the - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Contextualizing Computing Education: A Qualitative Study of the Undergraduate Experience in CSE

Presentation by Karen A. Kim CSU Fullerton Research conducted in partnership with Laura M. Portnoi, CSU Long Beach

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 1209283

Background of the Study

 Broader context nationally

 National efforts highlight the need for more technology workers  Despite recent gains, participation of women in computer science and engineering

(CSE) remains low (Zweben, 2014)

 Considering the context in computer science

 Research on why women are underrepresented in CSE (Burger et al., 2007;

Cohoon & Aspray, 2006; Margolis & Fisher, 2003)

 Emergence of new models to attract more students to CSE (Bryan, Sutner, &

Stehlik, 2010; Sahami et al., 2010; Furst, Isbell, & Guzdial, 2007)

Research Question

How do undergraduate experiences in computer science departments shape undergraduate women’s education and career trajectories?

Research Design

 Qualitative collective case study research design

 Longitudinal study at six case study sites  Interviews with the same students over four years  Women and men undergraduates  Starting in sophomore year  Interviews with faculty, administration, staff  Observations of departmental activities  Courses  Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities

Exploring the Undergraduate Experience in Computer Science

Examining the full-range of experiences of students Specific interest in activities that are collaborative,

interdisciplinary, hands-on, connected to the real-world and to a social good

Focus on the intersection of department culture and

undergraduates’ personal characteristics

Site Selection is Critical—Innovative Sites

Four innovative institutions selected based upon meeting four criteria: (1) Participation as an Academic Alliance member of NCWIT (2) Having 10 or more undergraduate women majors (3) Having a high proportion of females among the graduating class (> 15%) (4) Having significant presence of “innovative” activities for undergraduates

Site Selection: Counterfactual Cases

Two counterfactual institutions were selected based on the following criteria: (1) Traditional curricula (2) Not members of NCWIT (3) Low graduation rates of women (4) At least 10 undergraduate women

Other Research Considerations

Conducting the Study

 Researcher Qualifications  Advisory Board

At the Case Study Institutions

 Buy-in from Departments  Investment by Participants

Finding the Saturation Point

Lowest Innovation Middle Low Innovation Middle High Innovation High Innovation Higher Innovation Highest Innovation

• Common themes across institutions (presence/absence)
• Most consistent evidence at the two ends of the spectrum

Conclusion

Qualitative approach useful to study full picture Study provides an in-depth understanding of issues

from multiple perspectives

Time is an important consideration in qualitative

research

Thank you for your attention!

Questions for Dicussion

1.

What kinds of data and methods are participants using to study gender equity in STEM?

2.

What do they perceive to be the methodological challenges of these approaches?

3.

What strategies do they recommend for overcoming such challenges?