Title :
Group projects: woman and men can work together in the computer science realm
Author :
Polack-Wahl, Jennifer A.
Author_Institution :
Mary Washington Coll., Fredericksburg, VA, USA
Abstract :
The paper describes how group projects in the undergraduate level can educate men and women about each other, encourage women to continue in the computer science curriculum and reinforce women´s role in the computer science realm. In today´s society it is important for graduates of the computer science programs to be able to interact with colleagues effectively and professionally. Group projects encourage interaction and mandate that they work as a team to finish the activity and receive their grade. The concepts discussed in the paper were implemented in multiple software engineering courses and a data structure course. The paper provides examples of classroom reaction and techniques that were used in these classes. No student was ever the “token” in a group. Each student had strengths and weaknesses and when the groups were formed correctly, the results were a well-rounded and a productive team. Creating the groups was a key factor and a major component
Keywords :
computer science education; gender issues; human factors; project management; social aspects of automation; teaching; classroom reaction; computer science curriculum; computer science graduates; computer science realm; data structure course; group projects; men; productive team; society; software engineering courses; undergraduate level; women; Bonding; Computer science; Computer science education; Cultural differences; Data structures; Educational institutions; Educational products; Engineering profession; Psychology; Software engineering;
Conference_Titel :
Technology and Society, 1999. Women and Technology: Historical, Societal, and Professional Perspectives. Proceedings. 1999 International Symposium on
Conference_Location :
New Brunswick, NJ
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-5617-9
DOI :
10.1109/ISTAS.1999.787340