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About Me Full-time lecturer at the University of
Pennsylvania
Earned PhD-Computer Science from Columbia in 2010
Helped launch Columbia’s Emerging Scholars Program (ESP) in 2008
Emerging Scholars Program An outreach program that seeks to draw
more women and under-represented minorities into Computer Science
Focuses on Computer Science as a collaborative problem-solving activity
Based on Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL)
Outline What is PLTL?
What is ESP? How is it used at Columbia?
Sample exercises
Implementing PLTL in high schools
Rita Powell: NCWIT
Trends in CS enrollment Taulbee Survey of CS undergrads 2006-07
50% drop in enrollment since 200111.8% female5.3% Hispanic3.6% African-American
Many other studies reflect the low interest in CS by females and minorities
Goals Increase the number of female and minority
students who take CS1
Increase the retention rate in those groupsNumber of students who complete the class
Increase the number of students who continue into CS2 (and possibly major in CS)
Approach Dispel common myths about CS
Boys’ clubOnly programmingNo jobsNo societal impact
Demonstrate that Computer Science isa COLLABORATIVE activity that focuses on PROBLEM SOLVING
What is Peer-Led Team Learning? Weekly, 1-2 hour group meetings in addition
to regular class
5 – 8 students per group led by a well-trained undergrad Peer Leader
Interesting CS-related problems to be solved as a group
Used in STEM since the 70s
PLTL is not….. … office hours
… extra help
… “computer science for girls”
PLTL Workshops Peer Leader presents a problem from an
area of computer science
Students work together to solve the problem
Peer Leader is leading, not teaching
Material tends to match what is covered in the CS1 lecture but is supplementary
Why PLTL? Factors affecting intellectual development in
college:Student faculty interaction outside the classroom Involvement on campus through various forms of
community-building activities Involvement with student peer groupsPeer groups: “the most potent source of
influence on growth and development during the undergraduate years”
A.W. Astin, What Matters in College?
LECTURE
PLTL
Effects on Students Better / deeper understanding of material Lower drop rates Better grades (usually) Formation of social groups Very high satisfaction!
Effects on Peer Leaders Better understanding of the material Increased confidence to continue in CS Appreciation for different teaching and
learning styles Improved leadership skills Collegial relationship with faculty
NSF Grant for PLTL-CS
PLTL at Columbia Emerging Scholars Program (ESP) started
in Spring 2008Six participants, one Peer Leader, one AssistantWomen only
Seed fund grant received from NCWIT in Summer 2008
Currently two coed sections of 8-10 participants each
ESP Differentiating Features Selective: students are recruited and then
apply to the program
No Java! Only problem solving
No homework! The one-hour workshops are self-contained
ESP Topics Designing and communicating algorithms Decision trees Encoding & encryption Natural language processing Biometrics HCI and Information Visualization Graph theory Ethical issues
1. “Mä hach’a challwawa challwataxa.”2. “Kimsa hach’a challwawa challwataxa.”3. “Mä challwa mä hach’a challwampiwa challwataxa.”4. “Mä hach’a challwa kimsa challwallampiwa challwataxa.”5. “Paya challwallawa challwataxa.”6. “Mä challwalla paya challwampiwa challwataxa.”7. “Kimsa challwa paya challwallampiwa challwataxa.”
Marge
Maggie
Bart
Milhouse
Ralph
Lisa
Homer
Flanders
Student Quotes “These workshops gave me a better perspective of what
computer science is. I have learned that it is extremely useful and pertains to problems and issues that are in our daily lives.”
“It was extremely rewarding to participate in something in which I not only found academic value but also social and recreational value.”
“I loved it, learned from it, and enjoyed my time. Even people who are not interested in computer science would find these workshops interesting. It’s about problem solving and looking at things in a new light.”
“The program was fun as well as very interesting. It really gave me an idea of what kinds of problems are solved in computer science and how it involves creativity.”
Success Stories Kim Manis (Peer Leader, Spring 2008)
Software Engineer at Microsoft
Sahar Hasan (Peer Leader, Fall 08-Spring 09) CRA-W Distributed Research Experience for
Undergraduates – Princeton Univ. CRA Undergraduate Researcher Award (Hon. Mention) Software Engineer at BlackRock
Elba Garza (Peer Leader, Fall 09-Spring 10) CRA-W Distributed Research Experience for
Undergraduates – Georgia Tech
2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-100
5
10
15
20
25
% o
f wom
en
CS
ma
jors
Women’s Representation in the Computer Science Major at Columbia 2005-2010
Start of ESP
PLTL4HS: How to get PLTL implemented at
your high school
Yes, you can do PLTL in HS! Successfully done in chemistry and physics
College-bound students will see it as a way to differentiate themselves in their applicationsEspecially the Peer Leaders
Requires initial investment from YOU
Major Challenges Finding Peer Leaders
Training Peer Leaders
Selecting Materials
Institutional Issues
Finding Peer Leaders Ideally someone who has already
participated in the program
Excellent interpersonal skills: Interactive, communicative, supportive, positive, responsive, respectful of others
They don’t need to be experts
Committed to the program’s success
Where/How to Look Did well in PLTL course and other CS
courses Peer leader recommendations Demographics you want to support Availability (initial training, weekly meetings,
sessions) Personal invitations and/or application Interviews
Training Peer Leaders General training should start before the
workshops commenceA few hours
Content-specific training before each workshopAt least one hour
Organizational memory is very important
General Training Expectations of a peer leader Peer leader goals and concerns Running Peer-led sessions, esp. the first one Group work Diverse student learning styles Sensitivity to race and gender
Expectations of Peer Leaders Time with students, for meetings, prep time Effectively run sessions Keeping student attendance Writing a journal Honest feedback of sessions and their
observations Setting boundaries
Common Peer Leader Concerns Running out of material or not finishing Embarrassing self Not knowing if doing right/wrong Not being liked Fear of public speaking Knowing role: student/leader/…. Problems cannot deal with Personal safety Talking too much or not enough
Selecting Workshop Materials Workshops should ideally cover a wide range
of topics from within CS
Students tend to like activities with “right” answers
For programming-related topics, pltlcs.org is a good place to start
Institutional Issues How will Peer Leaders (and participants) be
compensated?
How will the program be funded?
How can you measure the success of the program?
Summary PLTL/ESP is an effective (and fun!) way to
generate interest in Computer Science
A PLTL program requires effort and commitment but will be rewarding to both you and your students
We are happy to help!
Links• Peer-led Team Learning in CS
– http://www.pltlcs.org
• Columbia Emerging Scholars Program– http://www.cs.columbia.edu/esp
• National Center for Women & IT– http://www.ncwit.org