Maureen S. Biggers College of Computing Georgia Institute of Technology J. McGrath Cohoon National Center for Women & IT & University of Virginia

Some of your students will leave no matter what you do Some of your students will stay no matter what you do Some of your students will allow you to influence their decisions to stay or leave

Five sets of retention recommendations Based on research o o Institutional retention o o Retention in computing majors Assess your department’s retention practices A few words of advice about change

Routinely facilitate academic success Promote community Maintain interest through curriculum Support students Monitor outcomes

Test early and often Put Performance in Context A llllllllll B llllllllllllllllllllll C lllllllllllllll D lll F ll A=75 – 100 B = 60 – 74

Skill building through Practice

Understand research Confident in research skills Master discipline Aware of career paths REU

Find some truth in whatever students say Inhibit show-offs Promote asking questions

Critical to student experience Feedback & context Practice builds skill Participation Encourage persistence

Peer led team learning Pair programming

Higher test scores Higher levels of student involvement Higher levels of enthusiasm Pursuit of topics to more advanced levels Community & academic achievement Greater sense of academic community Quality interaction with profs and peers

Avoid isolating women and minorities Facilitate student interaction Study groups ACM Women’s groups Peer mentoring

Use inclusive language Spotlight women for their accomplishments, not their gender

CS and …

Programming is a tool Survey course Use meaningful examples Describe how skills can be applied Especially in ways that help people Computer science is “creating the applications, processes, and tools that allow computers to solve real world problems” not being a “code monkey”

Reach out to women

The first weeks on your campus can make or break for program completion therefore... FRONTLOAD

Early Warning System Call those who miss 2-3 consecutive classes Below “C” on first test Failure to register

Describe your personal history highlight shared elements Explain how they could achieve what you achieved

Measure goal attainment Report results Revise Continue/ Discontinue

Minute Paper What is the most important thing you’ve learned in class today? What is the main, unanswered question you have?

Punctuation Lectures Stop and reflect on what students were doing Productive Study Time Logs Record time spent studying for class When How productively

Student Experience of the Major

Track enrollment Track course outcomes Report results

Knowledge Motivation Systems View Conducive Conditions Gender Diversity in Computing

Dissatisfaction Self-Efficacy Resources Rewards Participation Leadership Change agents

Attracting, Retaining, & Advancing Women in Undergraduate Computing Awards # #

Routinely facilitate academic success Promote community Maintain interest through curriculum Support students Monitor outcomes Overall Advice Start right Classroom experience is critical