Identity development of CS and IT students

Abstract

How do computer science and engineering IT students become computer scientists or IT engineers and how do they perceive their engagement in the discipline as meaningful? What is the role of education in this respect, and how does education support or hinder students' identity development?A research project is described, that addresses these questions by studying students' development throughout their first three years in university. Data is collected from students of two study programs at Uppsala University, "Computer Science" and "Engineering IT". It is an explorative study as previous research is sparse. Outcomes are insights into identity development as well as a theoretical framework and research instruments.

School/Work

“…A preliminary research design was presented in 2013. [7] The following year, she and others reported on a phenomenographic outcome space of freshman computing students' experience of participation in computing, based on an analysis of the first year's data. [8] The categories in the outcome space included using, inquiry, creating things, systematic problem solving, creating for others, continuous development, and doing research.…”