Toward Culturally Sustaining Pedagogies: Exploring Computer Science and Sports Perceptions of Student-Athletes

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Sunday 1:30 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
  In Roundtable Session: Fostering Equity and Identity in Computer Science (Table 13)

Abstract

Designing for interest-based learning requires understanding the multiplicity of perceptions within a space to foster student’s multifaceted identities.We investigated computer science (CS) and sport perceptions of high school student-athletes to broaden participation in both fields. We explore how student-athlete perceptions of sports and computer science help us understand their interest in pursuing high school computer science. We surveyed 96 participants about their interest, self-beliefs, and identity within sports and CS. Our analysis utilizes exploratory factor analysis and K-means clustering to reveal connections between youth perceptions and their CS futures. The results highlight three groups of students with differing views on future CS coursetaking, which reflect the idea that incorporating students’ passions can lead to broader participation in CS.

Authors

• Ashley Serine Quiterio, Northwestern University

• Marcelo A.B. Worsley, Northwestern University