Unlocking the Clubhouse: Developing Software Education and Practices for Diverse Beginners

Unlocking the Clubhouse
DEVELOPING SOFTWARE EDUCATION AND PRACTICES FOR DIVERSE BEGINNERS

JEN MYERS
JENMYERS.NET
@ANTIHEROINE

GIRL DEVELOP IT COLUMBUS
GIRLDEVELOPITCBUS.COM
@GDICBUS

SOFTWARE CRAFTSMANSHIP NORTH AMERICA
19 NOVEMBER 2011
CHICAGO, IL
Saturday, November 19, 2011

http://www.ﬂickr.com/photos/danielbachhuber/2788562492/


“Females are 50% of
the population and we
cannot afford not to
tap into that group of
people to the fullest
extent possible.... In this
country we don’t put
the priority on math
and science education
and it’s incredible
because our society
depends on it so much.”



“Females are 50% of
the population and we
cannot afford not to
tap into that group of
people to the fullest
extent possible.... In this
country we don’t put
the priority on math
and science education
and it’s incredible
because our society
depends on it so much.”
– SALLY RIDE


Diversity in Technology
WHAT THE CURRENT LANDSCAPE LOOKS LIKE - NUMBERS, STATS AND STORIES


http://www.computermuseum.li/

“Humans are
allergic to change.
They love to say,
‘We’ve always done
it this way.’ I try to
fight that. That’s why
I have a clock on my
wall that runs
counter-clockwise.”


“Humans are
allergic to change.
They love to say,
‘We’ve always done
it this way.’ I try to
fight that. That’s why
I have a clock on my
wall that runs
counter-clockwise.”
– GRACE HOPPER

Where are the women?

http://ncwit.org/scorecard
http://pinboard.in/u:jenmyers/t:women-in-tech/


In computer science undergrad programs: 18%




In information technology jobs: 25%





Taking high school AP CS exams: 18%






Contributing to Wikipedia: 13%






Contributing to Wikipedia: 13%

In open source programming: 1.5%


Why are the numbers so low?


Promotion processes


Promotion processes

Stereotype threat


Promotion processes

Stereotype threat

Work/life balance and childcare


Promotion processes

Stereotype threat


Harassment and sexism in culture


Promotion processes

Stereotype threat


Harassment and sexism in culture

Isolation


Unlocking the Clubhouse:
Women in Computing

JANE MARGOLIS AND ALAN FISHER


Adventures in Teaching
WHAT GIRL DEVELOP IT COLUMBUS HAS LEARNED WORKING WITH DIVERSE BEGINNERS


http://compscigail.blogspot.com/

“Computer science today is a door-opener across
fields, from film animation to scientific research. In
education, we call that ‘high-status knowledge.’ It
opens up professional doors and can open doors to
college and more education. I’m concerned that that
knowledge be accessible to all students.”


“Computer science today is a door-opener across
fields, from film animation to scientific research. In
education, we call that ‘high-status knowledge.’ It
opens up professional doors and can open doors to
college and more education. I’m concerned that that
knowledge be accessible to all students.”
- JANE MARGOLIS


Teaching programming is HARD.


What can make it easier?



Establishing good communication channels




Providing context and definition




Providing context and definition

Taking the time to understand what (and
how) your student needs to learn


Build a solid toolbox.


The nuts and bolts:


The nuts and bolts:
Open space
Backup equipment
Prepared materials/downloads
TAs with complementary skills
Class limit
Class fees/teacher compensation
Continuing resources and community


Conceptually speaking:



Personal preference is less important than
foundational principles



Personal preference is less important than
foundational principles

Establish best practices early


It’s okay to make mistakes. Really.


What can you do with mistakes?


Use them as learning examples



Put students at ease



Put students at ease

Remind yourself how your students feel


Be prepared. (But be flexible.)


Um, what does that mean?


Create clear expectations, goals and
guidelines - WITH student’s input



Students are individuals - treat them that
way



Students are individuals - treat them that
way

Keep learning yourself


Inside the Clubhouse
HOW WE CAN USE THESE LESSONS TO BUILD BETTER COMMUNITY AND BETTER PRODUCTS


http://www.whitehouse.gov/

“If we’re going to out-
innovate and out-
educate the rest of the
world, then we have to
open doors to
everyone, we need all
hands on deck. And
that means clearing
hurdles for women and
girls as they navigate
careers in science,
technology,
engineering and math.”


“If we’re going to out-
innovate and out-
educate the rest of the
world, then we have to
open doors to
everyone, we need all
hands on deck. And
that means clearing
hurdles for women and
girls as they navigate
careers in science,
technology,
engineering and math.”

– MICHELLE OBAMA

Want a GDI chapter?
Start one. :)


Unlocking the Clubhouse: Developing Software Education and Practices for Diverse Beginners

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Unlocking the Clubhouse: Developing Software Education and Practices for Diverse Beginners