NDLI: Robots, recruitment, and retention: Broadening participation through CS0

Content Provider	IEEE Xplore Digital Library
Author	Grabowski, L.M. Brazier, P.
Copyright Year	2011
Description	Author affiliation: University of Texas-Pan American (Grabowski, L.M.; Brazier, P.)
Abstract	Despite increasing demands for computing professionals in the global economy, interest in computing careers and their related university majors has declined steadily over the past decade, leading to challenges in recruiting undergraduate majors in computing programs. These problems are exacerbated when the university serves traditionally underrepresented groups and students who come from economically depressed communities. We present an innovative approach for a “CS0” course, designed to recruit and retain computer science and computer engineering majors at a Hispanic-serving university in the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. We use Lego® Mindstorms® NXT robots as the primary tool for learning algorithmic problem solving and fundamental programming concepts, in a supportive, social learning environment. We delivered the course during two semesters. One semester focused on increasing awareness about career possibilities in computing fields among female students, while the second semester's class targeted retaining early computer science and computer engineering majors. Early assessments indicate that our approach is successful for our student population. Student interest in the course increased dramatically from the first semester to the next, and student engagement remained high during the semester. To date, the retention rate of the computer science and engineering majors who completed the course is 100%.
File Size	471490
File Format	PDF
ISBN	9781612844688
ISSN	01905848
e-ISBN	9781612844695
e-ISBN	9781612844671
DOI	10.1109/FIE.2011.6142918
Language	English
Publisher	Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
Publisher Date	2011-10-12
Publisher Place	USA
Access Restriction	Subscribed
Rights Holder	Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
Subject Keyword	Educational robots Programming Computers Educational institutions Robot sensing systems CS Retention CS0 Lego Robots CS Recruitment
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Education Computer Science Applications Software

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1	Ministry of Education (GoI), Department of Higher Education	Sanctioning Authority	https://www.education.gov.in/ict-initiatives
2	Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur	Host Institute of the Project: The host institute of the project is responsible for providing infrastructure support and hosting the project	https://www.iitkgp.ac.in
3	National Digital Library of India Office, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur	The administrative and infrastructural headquarters of the project	Dr. B. Sutradhar bsutra@ndl.gov.in
4	Project PI / Joint PI	Principal Investigator and Joint Principal Investigators of the project	Dr. B. Sutradhar bsutra@ndl.gov.in Prof. Saswat Chakrabarti will be added soon
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