Researchers on the College of Studying, with colleagues at King’s School London, have uncovered a extra nuanced view of what makes an ‘superb’ pc science scholar, difficult long-held stereotypes of geeky, intelligent, detail-oriented males, who lack social expertise.
The analysis, revealed in Instructional Evaluation, analysed round 9000 responses from over 3,000 secondary faculty college students aged 11-16 in England. Whereas intelligence was nonetheless seen as vital, the research discovered that younger individuals worth a a lot wider vary of traits in pc science college students, together with creativity and collaboration.
Professor Billy Wong, College of Studying, mentioned: “That is excellent news for widening participation in pc science training. Stereotypes exist for a purpose however is usually a highly effective deterrent to participation by some underrepresented teams. Our findings present that younger individuals recognise the significance of being educated and hardworking in pc science, they usually additionally worth softer traits resembling creativity and collaboration. This challenges the favored stereotype of pc scientists as merely being ‘intelligent’ however socially challenged.”
Key findings embody:
– Eight important clusters of traits had been recognized: Good & Intelligent; Educated & ; Decided & Hardworking; Sort & Useful; Artistic; Impartial; Assured; and Collaborative.
– College students aspiring to careers in pc science had been extra more likely to worth various traits past simply intelligence.
– Ladies had been extra more likely to describe the best pc science scholar as impartial, however much less more likely to describe them as form and useful.
– College students from much less advantaged backgrounds had been extra more likely to give attention to intelligence as the important thing trait.
Professor Wong added: “These insights might help educators and policymakers promote a extra inclusive picture of pc science. By highlighting the various expertise valued within the subject, we are able to encourage extra younger individuals to see themselves as potential pc scientists.”
The research is a part of the SCARI computing mission, a three-year research funded by the Nuffield Basis. It goals to grasp components shaping participation and efficiency in pc science training, with a give attention to addressing the underrepresentation of women within the subject.
