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Ronald Greenberg
Article
Does a Taste of Computing Increase Computer Science Enrollment?
Proceedings of 2016 Research in Equity and Sustained Participation in Engineering, Computing, and Technology (RESPECT)
  • Steven McGee, The Learning Partnership
  • Randi McGee-Tekula, The Learning Partnership
  • Jennifer Duck, The Learning Partnership
  • Taylor White, The Learning Partnership
  • Ronald I. Greenberg, Loyola University Chicago
  • Lucia Dettori, DePaul University
  • Dale F. Reed, University of Illinois at Chicago
  • Brenda Wilkerson, Chicago Public Schools
  • Don Yanek, Chicago Public Schools
  • Andrew Rasmussen, Chicago Public Schools
  • Gail Chapman, University of California, Los Angeles
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Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-1-2016
Pages
65-76
Publisher Name
Springer-Verlag
Disciplines
Abstract

This study investigated the impact of the Exploring Computer Science (ECS) program on the likelihood that students of all races and gender would pursue further computer science coursework in high school. ECS is designed to foster deep engagement through equitable inquiry around computer science concepts. If the course provides a meaningful and relevant experience, it will increase students' expectancies of success as well as increase their perceived value for the field of computer science. Using survey research, we sought to measure whether the relevance of students' course experiences influenced their expectancies and value and whether those attitudes predicted whether students pursued further computer science coursework. The results indicate that students whose course experience increased expectancies for success were more likely to take another course.

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A revised version can be found at http://ecommons.luc.edu/cs_facpubs/170

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Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0
Copyright Statement

© 2009 IEEE

Citation Information
Steven McGee, Randi McGee-Tekula, Jennifer Duck, Taylor White, Ronald I. Greenberg, Lucia Dettori, Dale F. Reed, Brenda Wilkerson, Don Yanek, Andrew Rasmussen, and Gail Chapman. Does a taste of computing increase computer science enrollment? In Proceedings of 2016 Research in Equity and Sustained Participation in Engineering, Computing, and Technology (RESPECT), August 2016.