More Like this

1. Broadening participation in computing: Promoting affective and cognitive learning in informal spaces

   Yang, H.; Codding, D.; & Pollock, L. (January 2021, TechTrends)

   null (Ed.)

   In this work we examine youth learning in an informal computing program implemented through a library-university partnership. In particular, we introduce and illustrate a culturally responsive computing framework which served as a foundation for the design of the program. Subsequently, we examine youth collaboration as well as affective and cognitive learning outcomes. Data were collected from university program facilitators and 30 youth over one semester. Data were collected through observations, lesson plans, computational artifacts and interviews with two case study youth. Results indicated that youth formed a variety of learning communities during the collaborative development of computing artifacts. Frequent participants were found to work with a greater number of peers compared to less frequent participants. Results from case study participants also indicated improvements in their computational competencies. Findings from this work have implications for the design of informal learning environments that help broaden participation in computing. 

   more » « less
2. Broadening participation in computing: Promoting affective and cognitive learning in informal spaces

   https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-020-00562-9  

   Yang, H.; Codding, D.; Mouza, C.; Pollock, L. (January 2021, Techtrends)

   In this work we examine youth learning in an informal computing programimplemented through a library-university partnership. In particular, we introduce and illustrate a culturally responsive computing framework which served as a foundation for the design of the program. Subsequently, we examine youth collaboration as well as affective and cognitive learning outcomes. Data were collected from university program facilitators and 30 youth over one semester. Data were collected through observations, lesson plans, computational artifacts and interviews with two case study youth. Results indicated that youth formed a variety of learning communities during the collaborative development of computing artifacts. Frequent participants were found to work with a greater number of peers compared to less frequent participants. Results from case study participants also indicated improvements in their computational competencies. Findings from this work have implications for the design of informal learning environments that help broaden participation in computing. 

   more » « less
3. Computing for communities: Designing culturally responsive informal learning environments for broadening participation in computing

   https://doi.org/10.51869/104/dch  

   Codding, D.; Yang, H.; Mouza, C.; Pollock, L. (January 2021, The Journal of applied instructional design)

   Despite increased attention on promoting access to computer science among all students, female and racially minoritized youth continue to be underrepresented in STEM, often lacking opportunities for computer science due to under-resourced schools and a lack of teacher preparation. As a result, K-12 schools are unable to fulfill the goal of expanding access and broadening participation in computing alone. In this paper, we examine how our university-library partnerships can provide access to computer science instruction while attending to issues of social justice through culturally responsive informal learning design. Findings provide insights related to the design, implementation, and outcomes of informal computing clubs for youth from diverse backgrounds. 

   more » « less
4. Recruiting Practices in Informal CS Learning

   https://doi.org/10.1145/3688829  

   Perdriau, Christopher; Solomon, Meron; Ko, Amy (December 2024, ACM Transactions on Computing Education)

   Introduction: Computer science (CS) lacks representation from people who identify as one or more of the following identities: woman, Black, Indigenous, Hispanic, Latina/Latino/Latinx, or disabled. We refer to these groups as historically underrepresented groups (HUGs). Informal learning, like CS summer camps and hackathons, can increase interest in K-12 students but still struggles to broaden participation. Objectives: In this study, we examine one source of struggle for informal learning programs: recruiting practices. Methods: Toward the goal of understanding this struggle, we interviewed 14 informal K-12 CS learning programs across a diverse region in the Northwestern United States to understand what recruiting practices are being used. We used a cultural competency lens to examine the variation within recruiting practices and how some practices could lead to broader participation in computing. Results: We identified 18 different recruiting practices used by informal CS learning program organizers. Some programs had similar practices, but subtle differences in implementation that led them to fall at different points on the cultural competence continuum. More culturally competent implementations generally involve reflection on the needs of specific populations that programs were trying to recruit, on why previous recruiting implementations did not work, and on feedback from stakeholders to change their implementations. This is the first article to investigate how the implementation of the recruiting practice determines its cultural competency. Conclusion: Results from this study illuminate some of the problems informal CS programs face in broadening participation in computing and provide insights on how program organizers’ can overcome them. Our work highlights how students or parents access resources, the challenges program organizers encounter, and whether current recruiting practices effectively engage students from HUGs. 

   more » « less
5. Challenges in study design for characterizing the informal physics landscape

   https://doi.org/10.1119/perc.2019.pr.Willison  

   Willison, Julia; Izadi, Dena; Ward, Issac; Hinko, Kathleen A.; Fracchiolla, Claudia (January 2019, Proceedings of the 2019 Physics Education Research Conference)

   There are many informal physics education programs across the country. However, the available information about these programs varies widely and can be difficult to find. Without this knowledge, it is difficult for individual informal physics efforts to be understood as part of a broader national landscape of physics learning outside of the classroom. In this paper, we describe the development of study design and implementation to map the complex landscape of informal physics in the United States. We seek to determine the best ways to collect meaningful and comprehensive data from the wide-ranging and diverse formats of informal physics programs facilitated by academic institutions. Data was obtained from initial web searches for programs, surveys and interviews of program facilitators, and site visits of program events and activities. This data was analyzed along with participants’ feedback to produce iterations of the survey and interview protocol. We report on challenges and outcomes from our attempts to collect information about programs in Michigan as a test case for the national landscape. These methods can also be used in other informal education studies to gather program information. 

   more » « less