Online Sharing Practices in a Computer Science Education Discussion Forum

• In Event: Invigorating STEM Teaching Practices Across Contexts

Abstract

Equitable access to Computer Science (CS) is very important. Unfortunately, women are highly underrepresented in the field. Prior research shows that CS educators play an important role in addressing this underrepresentation. This study focuses on how participants of an online discussion forum, Computer Science Educators Stack Exchange (CSEd SE), discuss gender in CS. It examines the various information sharing practices that the participants on the forum use while discussing gender. Results suggest that CSEd SE participants employ a wide range of practices, sometimes backing their statements with evidence and other times making stereotypical generalized statements based on personal experience. Insight into beliefs around gender will help researchers and teacher educators better support CS educators in broadening participation in CS.

Author

• Sukanya Kannan Moudgalya, Michigan State University