Gender in Computer Science Jan 13 2019 SIGCSE SIGSCE is the Special Interest Group in Computer Science Education I attend the SIGCSE annual conference each year A common theme this year and every year is attracting women to computer science and keeping them There was very little new this year so I m just using last year s slides with minor modifications Many of these same comments apply to other minorities I am very interested in this problem What I can do Not much Most losses occur during the second year I can give you some facts and figures some research results some opinions Figures Enrollment in computer science programs reached a peak in 1986 then declined until 1996 During the period 1986 to 1996 There has been an upward trend from 1996 to 2000 We don t have good figures past 2000 but the trend is downward again At this university the trend is definitely downward In 1986 female enrollment reached a peak of 40 Men majoring in computer science dropped by 33 Women majoring in computer science dropped by 55 Other minorities also dropped by larger amounts than white males Why Myths Both men and women incorrectly believe that men in CS have higher GPAs than women Fact There is no difference in GPAs Fact In my MCIT program there is no gender difference in GREs of admitted students Women who succeed in CS are often viewed as exceptional Fact Women and men are equally capable Both groups do equally well on assignments Both groups do equally well on examinations Fact Women do not have to be better than men to succeed Myths II Myth Some people just have a computer gene Fact From a biological standpoint it s obvious that there is no such thing Fact As with anything there are individual differences in ability It is commonly believed among teachers that anyone can be taught to program Fact If you work hard you will succeed No one is born with these skills Fact Many computer hotshots aren t really very good My belief There is a positive feedback loop between enjoying an activity and being good at it Myths III Myth Computer programming is for loners and is basically an antisocial or at least nonsocial activity Fact Prospective employers shun loners and look for people who work well with others Fact Large programs are group efforts Fact Most programming methodologies are about how to best organize the programming team Fact In an educational setting we typically insist on individual effort mostly in an attempt to grade fairly but this does not reflect real world practice Stereotypes Stereotype Computer science majors are intelligent but lack interpersonal skills Fact Like all stereotypes there are individuals who fit the stereotype but most do not Stereotype Successful computer science majors don t have a life but spend all their time at the computer Fact Almost all computer scientists do have a life Fact However CS majors do spend significantly more time on schoolwork than non CS majors In my personal experience Obsessive programmers are less likely to succeed Gender NON differences Research results show no significant differences between men and women in College GPA ACT math science and composite scores Interest in majoring in CS Belief that CS is a worthwhile major Number of hours per week spent on schoolwork Age of first computer use But CS majors spend more time than non majors But Males generally have more access to computers Knowledge of what CS is all about More gender NON differences Estimate of how many hours computer scientists work But There are differences in estimated compensation Fact Women are on average not as well paid as men Fact The difference is much less in the computer field than in most other non technical fields Importance placed on having a family Belief that family life and career would be compatible for women Stress level Support and encouragement from others Self esteem Real gender differences Research results show these statistically significant differences Men have higher educational aspirations Men value extrinsic rewards e g money more Men are higher in aggressiveness and dominance But No difference in kindness or nurturing Biggest difference Men are more confident of their own ability Confidence Confidence in ability to write a computer program Students with high math ACT scores Male CS majors 63 Male non CS majors 60 Female CS majors 48 Female non CS majors 44 Students with low math ACT scores Male CS majors 53 Male non CS majors 49 Female CS majors 37 Female non CS majors 34 Especially interesting High scoring female CS students vs low scoring male non CS students Why women drop out According to one study females suffer a loss of interest in the field preceded by a loss of self confidence Probable causes of loss of confidence Inaccurate belief that women have lower ability Lack of awareness of excellent income opportunities Conflict between a woman s view of herself and inaccurate stereotype of computer nerds Stereotype threat Fear of confirming the stereotype Less playful and relaxed attitude toward computers Factors undermining self confidence Note These are opinions not research results Computer science is hard everyone has difficulty Men are less willing than women to admit to having difficulties hence often appear more capable than they really are The field is wide as well as deep You re a computer science major and you don t know that In programming virtually all your mistakes are stupid ones everyone s mistakes are stupid ones and it s easy to mistake this for a personal failing Interesting tidbits Percentage of women earning a bachelor s degree is significantly lower if the CS department is in the College of Engineering rather than in the College of Arts and Sciences Under representation of women in CS appears to be a cultural problem Not true in historically black colleges and universities Not true in Greece Turkey France Italy In one study 30 of self rated code warriors failed an assignment compared to 15 of code a phobes Job prospects The information sector has the second highest projected job growth rate Publishing the Internet and telecommunications should see real output climb to 1 6 trillion by 2014 A fifth of this will be Internet related With real growth in the information services sector targeted to be an aggressive 8 5 average annual percent this part of the economy can anticipate a jobs boom If you re technologically inclined your career prospects are bright http www worldwidelearn com education advisor indepth which careers are
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