Deciding to Continue Past CS1 It’s cool but it’s not my thing. Lilly Irani -

If we build it, will they come?

Methodology Surveys Comfort with computers Ability to solve problems with computers Ability to solve logical problems Mathematical ability Enjoyment of computers Rate yourself, your peers Likeliness to major Interviews with 17 women, 8 men

Who are these students? Freshman through seniors Women self-identify as less likely to major in CS related disciplines than men Women less comfortable with computers

CS1 is cool but… …what do you do with it? “I guess the one drawback that I’ve always considered for myself, personally, was the fact that you have to sit in a cubicle all day and just program. Even if I like it, it’s not very healthy.” - frosh female “I like breaking down problems. I don’t know. I just really enjoy the classes. But I don’t want to just program.” - frosh female

CS1 is cool but… …am I really good at it? Differences in confidence on entry and exit No difference in actual performance Sociology of math and science predicts this

A model of decision making Computer Science YES? NO? Competence Embattled Trends less than men Expected future utility Media images Friends and family Eccles model of achievement-related choices (1998) Interest Established in CS1

Students starting CS1 Survey results Comfort with computers Ability to solve problems with computers Ability to solve logical problems Mathematical ability Enjoyment of computers Rate yourself, your peers