Using Informed Design in Informal Computer Science Programs to Increase Youths’ Interest, Self-efficacy, and Perceptions of Parental Support

Abstract

Our work is situated in research on Computer Science (CS) learning in informal learning environments and literature on the factors that influence girls to enter CS. In this article, we outline design choices around the creation of a summer programming camp for middle school youth. In addition, we describe a near-peer mentoring model we used that was influenced by Bandura's self-efficacy theory. The purpose of this article, apart from promoting transparency of program design, was to evaluate the effectiveness of our camp design in terms of increasing youths’ interest, self-efficacy beliefs, and perceptions of parental support. We found significant gains for all three of these concepts. Additionally, we make connections between our design choices (e.g., videos, peer support, mentor support) and the affective gains by thematically analyzing interview data concerning the outcomes found in our camps.

Disrupting Computing Education: Teen-Led Participatory Design in Libraries

“…We build on existing work in informal computing programs for youth [8,19,50,67]. Research findings highlight the need for creation and delivery of curriculum that is not only administered by facilitators who are technically competent, but who also look like the youth they are serving or who are trained to be socially-just educators [50,67].…”

“…Past initiatives have focused on creating affinity-oriented learning environments, providing women role models, and teaching girls through projectbased learning [33]. Clarke-Midura et al [8] examined a summer informal learning program with the interest in broadening the participation of girls in computing. Their findings highlight the role of near-peer mentors in influencing a positive change in campers interest and self-efficacy.…”

“…We detail the micro-level relationship commitment each person in the project made to the members of the community. We know from past research that relationship building between design partners is crucial before designing together [8,68]. Computing education has traditionally focused on teaching students how to improve technology rather than explore ethics, identity, and politics [66] in technology.…”

“…Additionally, how we consider what counts as computing education experiences can contribute toward inequities youth of color experience in this space. Research shows learning in informal settings can increase the participation of youth in computing education [2,8,19,67]. However, computing educational experiences have typically been developed by adults for youth.…”

Impact of 3D Printing on Occupational Therapy Student Technology Efficacy

“…As part of this theory, Wang defines self-efficacy as "an individual"s judgment of his or her own ability to complete an action required of a certain type of performance" (Wang, 2013, p. 666). Clarke-Midura et al (2019) found significant gains using an informal learning environment to increase interest in computer science…”