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Fri, Nov 2, 10:00 - 10:25, Haselton 2     Paper (refereed)
Recommended Citation: Gerhardt-Powals, J and M A Trail.  Developing an Equal Playing Field in the Information Systems Classroom.  In The Proceedings of the Information Systems Education Conference 2007, v 24 (Pittsburgh): §2352. ISSN: 1542-7382. (A later version appears in Information Systems Education Journal 6(15). ISSN: 1545-679X.)
 
Recipient of Meritorious Paper Award
 
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Developing an Equal Playing Field in the Information Systems Classroom

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Refereed10 pages
Jill Gerhardt-Powals    [a1] [a2]
Computer Science and Information Systems
The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey    [u1] [u2]
Pomona, New Jersey, USA    [c1] [c2]

Mary Ann Trail    [a1] [a2]
Library
The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey    [u1] [u2]
Pomona, New Jersey, USA    [c1] [c2]

A mathematics component has consistently been included as criteria for accrediting information systems programs and many institutions satisfy that requirement with calculus. At the same time, the low enrollment and participation of female and minority students in computing fields is a nationwide concern. At The Richard Stockton College, it was felt that creating a female- and minority-friendly calculus class for Information Systems majors would help students succeed in this challenging course. This article discusses research concerning motivators for both women and men to major in computing fields and pedagogy that has a positive effect on women and minorities. Also, predictors of enrollment in computer courses are analyzed. These research findings and others were incorporated into a math course in order to create an equal playing field for our information systems majors. This article presents both objective and subjective assessment of the course.

Keywords: females and computing, gender issues, females and math, cooperative learning, self-esteem, minorities and math, minorities and computing, self-perception

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