From Workshops to Classrooms: Faculty Experiences with Implementing Inclusive Design Principles

Pankati Patel, Dahana Moz-Ruiz, Rosalinda Garcia, Amreeta Chatterjee, Patricia Morreale, Margaret Burnett

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Computer science (CS) and information technology (IT) curricula are grounded in theoretical and technical skills. Topics like equity and inclusive design are rarely found in mainstream student studies. This results in graduates with outdated practices and limitations in software development. A research project was conducted to educate the faculty to integrate inclusive software design into the CS undergraduate curriculum. The objective is to produce graduates with the ability to develop inclusive software. This experience report presents the results of teaching inclusive design throughout the four-year CS and IT curriculum, focusing on the impact on faculty. This easy-to-adopt, high-impact approach improved student retention and classroom climate, broadening participation. Research questions address faculty understanding of inclusive software design, the approach's feasibility, improvement in students' ability to design equitable software, and assessment of the inclusiveness culture for students in computing programs. Faculty attended a summer workshop to learn about inclusive design and update their teaching materials to include the GenderMag method. Beginning in CS0 and CS1 and continuing through Senior Capstone, faculty used updated course assignments to include inclusive design in 10 courses for 44 sections taught. Faculty outcomes are positive, with the planning to include inclusive design and working with other department faculty most engaging. Faculty were impressed by student ownership and adoption of inclusive design methods, particularly in the culminating capstone senior project.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationSIGCSE 2024 - Proceedings of the 55th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education
PublisherAssociation for Computing Machinery, Inc
Pages1035-1041
Number of pages7
ISBN (Electronic)9798400704239
DOIs
StatePublished - 7 Mar 2024
Event55th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education, SIGCSE 2024 - Portland, United States
Duration: 20 Mar 202423 Mar 2024

Publication series

NameSIGCSE 2024 - Proceedings of the 55th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education
Volume1

Conference

Conference55th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education, SIGCSE 2024
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityPortland
Period20/03/2423/03/24

Keywords

  • computer science education
  • inclusive design
  • pedagogy

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