Assessing the Promise of the Exploring Computer Science Program

April 2016

Authors


Steven McGee

The Learning Partnership

Dr. Ronald I. Greenberg

Loyola University Chicago

Dr. Lucia Dettori

DePaul University

Dr. Dale F. Reed

University of Illinois Chicago

This study investigated the impact of the Exploring Computer Science (ECS) program on the extent to which students of all races and gender increased their interest in pursuing a computer science major. ECS is designed to foster deep engagement through equitable inquiry around computer science concepts. If the course is successful, 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 students’ course experiences influenced their expectancies and value. The results indicate that students who feel that the course met their goals tended to have higher expectancy and value, which led to increased interest in pursuing a computer science major.

Suggested Citation

Steven McGee, Ronald I. Greenberg, Lucia Dettori, and Dale F. Reed. Assessing the promise of the Exploring Computer Science program. In American Educational Research Association (AERA) Annual Meeting, April 2016. Washington, DC. http://www.academia.edu/24322151/Assessing_the_Promise_of_the_Exploring_Computer_Science_Program.