Addressing Preparation Gaps and Promoting Culturally Relevant Teaching to Support Diverse Groups in Computing Courses

该项目旨在通过培养一支庞大的、现代化的和多样化的计算劳动力来服务于国家利益。该项目团队将调查其学习材料(称为桥接器系统)如何有助于关闭大学计算机专业学生的备考上限。桥梁系统旨在提高一年级和二年级计算机科学专业学生在基础课程中的参与度和积极性。然而，由于研究表明，来自代表性不足群体的学生从桥梁系统中获得的好处较少，因此该系统将在该项目中扩展，以服务于更广泛和更多样化的人群。该项目将开发学习材料，以弥合学生之间的准备差距，并适应所有学习者的技能、兴趣和价值观。此外，该项目将通过外展、增强的教师支持和基于云的解决方案来扩大Bridge系统的使用，以简化采用。该项目旨在对数据结构和算法分析课程产生重大影响，这些课程是大多数大学计算机科学学位课程的基础课程。该项目将制定基于证据的指导方针，为STEM中代表性不足的学生定制学习材料，以提高学生的参与度。结果将在性别、种族和机构类型上进行探索。项目团队将研究如何设计一组作业，使其与相同的学习结果相匹配，同时植根于不同的背景、价值观和应用。将进行调查以了解这些方法的有效性，并评估由此产生的学生结果。回归分析将被用来确定测试前的分数或从测试前到测试后分数的增加是否可以预测对桥梁作业、调查以及项目或课程成绩的反应。对于有回答选择的项目将使用卡方检验，而对量表分数将使用回归分析。NSF IUSE：EHR计划支持研究和开发项目，以提高所有学生的STEM教育的有效性。通过参与的学生学习路径，该计划支持有前景的实践和工具的创建、探索和实施。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This project aims to serve the national interest by preparing a large, modern, and diverse computing workforce. The project team will investigate how its learning materials (known as a BRIDGES system) contribute to closing the preparation cap of college computing students. The BRIDGES system aims to improve engagement and motivation of first and second-year computer science students in foundational course. However, because studies have shown that students from underrepresented groups derive fewer benefits from the BRIDGES system, the system will be extended in this project to serve a broader and more diverse population. The project will develop learning materials to bridge preparation gaps among students and adapt to the skills, interests, and values of all learners. Additionally, the project will expand the use of the BRIDGES system through outreach, enhanced instructor support, and a cloud-based solution to ease adoption. The project aims to have a significant impact on data structures and algorithm analysis courses, which are foundational courses that underlie most college computer science degree programs.The project will develop evidence-based guidelines to customize learning materials for students from underrepresented groups in STEM to improve student engagement. Outcomes will be explored across gender, ethnicity, and institution types. The project team will investigate how to design a collection of assignments that match the same learning outcomes, while being rooted in different contexts, values, and applications. Surveys will be administered to understand the effectiveness of these approaches and assess the resulting student outcomes. Regression analyses will be used to determine if the pretest scores or the gains in scores from pretest to post-test predict responses to the BRIDGES assignments, survey, and project or course grades. Chi square tests will be used for items with response choices while regression analysis will be used with scale scores. The NSF IUSE: EHR Program supports research and development projects to improve the effectiveness of STEM education for all students. Through the Engaged Student Learning track, the program supports the creation, exploration, and implementation of promising practices and tools.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.