NYTimes: Women and Science

So, now there is a new article from the NY Times that discusses the apparent improvement in science opportunities for women at major research universities; that is good news, we need all the help we can get. Still, there remains unequal access to certain opportunities (such as salary). Another report suggests that the performance gap between girls and boys in math is decreasing "to the vanishing point." Still more good news.

My big issue with this NAS report is that the panel surveyed six disciplines, including math and physics and engineering, but excluded computer science. And the fight for visibility continues ....

XO in the next CACM

Heads-up -- it seems that the XO (image right), the accessible-by-design (and low-cost) product of the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) group, is featured in an article in the June 2009 issue of the Communications of the ACM where vision is juxtaposed with reality. The next generation XO is featured in the image below-left.

Please read when the article you can, but I came away with the sense that while the output and in-place numbers of XOs in the developing world are each less than promised, the shake-up in the PC industry to respond to the "threat" of losing potential market share has certainly had impact -- again, IMHO -- JD

Evidence of Gender Gap in HS Students

There is a new report from a NSF study by the ACM and the WGBH Educational Foundation has found evidence supporting the perceived gender gap in interest in computing as a career/profession among high school students -- from the ACM press release:

The gender gap extended to computer science as a potential career choice as well as a field of study. From a selection of 15 possible careers, computer science came in fourth among the respondents, with 46 percent rating it “very good” or “good.” However, while 67 percent of all boys rated computer science highly as a career choice, only nine percent of girls rated it “very good” and 17 percent rated it “good.”

Details in the full report (PDF).

Accessing the Future conference

It seems the IEEE is teaming up with IBM to sponsor a conference on accessibility that include not only computing and technology, but universal design standards, patient-centered collaborative care, online workplaces and communities, travel and transportation issues, and related topics.


The Accessing the Future conference is schedule for July 20-21, 2009 in Boston, perhaps we can connect with other disciplines to improve accessibility -- perhaps, read here for some overview.

Ada Lovelace Day 2009

Well, today is Ada Lovelace Day, arguably the first programmer, certainly one of the first to appreciate the potential of algorithms -- I was able to note her contributions briefly in my song about the World of Computing, complete lyrics and recording here:

... Ada Lovelace understood
That Babbage's machine was good ...

Anyway, we were all asked by Barbara Boucher Owens, current president of SIGCSE and role model for women in computing in her own right, to post a blog entry about a role model for women in computing.

That's easy -- especially when I think back on the success, and the skill and effort needed, for SIGCSE 2008, my choice for Ada Lovelace Mentor would be Susan Rodger, Professor of the Practice of Computer Science at Duke University (photo right).

Susan and I co-chaired SIGCSE 2008, so I have worked with her often remotely but consistently throughout 2007 and the start of 2008. Her "pleasant persistence" resulted in many contributions to SIGCSE 2008, including new corporate supporters, a day care center/kid's camp, conference bags, and even SIGCSE cookies.

Susan's contributions to computing education are many, including

• JFLAP: a tool to help students visualize NFAs, DFAs, and other concepts found in the theory of computation (and a finalist candidate in the NEEDS Premier Award for Excellence in Engineering Education Courseware)
• Alice as tool for outreach and teaching, especially for young women, hosting workshops for middle school teachers
• Peer Led Team Learning Activities and Workshops
• ACM Java Task Force
• Duke Student ACM-W Chapter Faculty Advisor
• Distinguished Member of the ACM

Personally, Susan possesses the temperament and drive needed by anyone to succeed in any profession, yet is very approachable and willing to mentor.

Thanks for the chance to promote my former co-chair's (and current friend) accomplishments for Ada Lovelace Day, as well as embarrass her I'm sure :-) -- JD

Enrollments up, but ...

Wow, here's a NY Times article that notes the recent trends in computing enrollments show some positive news, increasing -- there are some observations about reasons, including Eric Roberts point about the receding competition from the financial industry.

But it was not all good news, especially considering the mission of this blog; from the article:

The study, which for the first time included data from schools of information, indicated that diversity in computer science programs continued to remain poor. For example, the fraction of bachelor’s degrees awarded to women remained steady at 11.8 percent in 2008.

Our work continues.

... onto SIGCSE 2009

Well, it's now officially been a year (actually just less :-) since SIGCSE 2008, and I am hopeful that the NE weather will cooperate so I can attend SIGCSE 2009 this coming week -- I am assuming that the steering committee people are already en route if not already there.


SIGCSE 2009 has a neat theme/play on words, "engaging CS education" which is always a goal(s) -- I also hope that diversity and accessibility are included in there too, and hope discussions continue in that vein as well.

Finally, a quick look at how assistive technologies can be made that help all students, not just the ones with disabilities (the term I mentally substitute as I read their story every time I see the phrase "disabled") -- accessibility is one of the main reasons I support courses with online materials (as well as backup when people lose paper or files) -- see you in Chattanooga! -- JD

Glass Ceiling in IT still ...

... just a quick handoff, JD

Analysis: Women in IT still hit glass ceiling
Despite a positive outlook on their careers, the latest research has shown the glass ceiling for women in IT has not yet broken.
By Miya Knights, 19 Feb 2009

2009 Richard Tapia Conference

Registration Open for 2009 Richard Tapia Celebration of Diversity in
Computing Conference
http://www.tapiaconference.org/2009

Portland, Oregon, USA--Registration is now open for the 2009 Richard
Tapia Celebration of Diversity in Computing Conference. The
conference brings together diverse leading researchers from around
the world to present their work on state-of-the-art research in the
field of computing. The 2009 event, the fifth in the series, will
take place April 1-4, 2009 at the Portland Oregon Marriott Downtown
Waterfront.

Early bird registration, with discounted registration fees, closes on
March 1, 2009. March 1 is also the date by which hotel reservations
should be confirmed. Registration information can be found at
http://tapiaconference.org/2009/travel.html.

Something about Obama ...

Well, I had to contribute something during the week of MLK and the Obama Inauguration -- not much as time is pressed -- let's hope access and diverse "trickle down" (sorry, could not help the reference) to education in computing, perhaps as described in this NY Times article on "Geek Chic."