Computing Students’ Identity Development in Higher Education

INDsigt by Anne-Kathrin Peters, PhD-student Uppsala Computing Education Research Group (UpCERG), Department of Information Technology, Uppsala University

Higher education is about more than cognitive development. It is a context in which students learn how to act in different social settings in order to be recognized as a participant of the discipline. This aspect of education is underexplored, and a better understanding is important, e.g. to address issues of retention.

In the seminar, I will present results from a longitudinal study aiming to understand computing students’ identity development during the first three years of higher education. A result of the study is that many computing students “learn to” relate to Computing in terms of solving difficult technical problems, in order to be recognized as a Computing person. In the seminar I would like to continue discussions about the relevance of my results, as well as implications for educational development.

The seminar is free of charge. Please register no later than February 1st.

Contact: indsigt@ind.ku.dk.