Researchers on the College of Studying, with colleagues at King’s Faculty London, have uncovered a extra nuanced view of what makes an ‘supreme’ pc science scholar, difficult long-held stereotypes of geeky, intelligent, detail-oriented males, who lack social abilities.
The analysis, revealed in Academic Assessment, analysed round 9000 responses from over 3,000 secondary college college students aged 11-16 in England. Whereas intelligence was nonetheless seen as necessary, the research discovered that younger folks worth a a lot wider vary of traits in pc science college students, together with creativity and collaboration.
Professor Billy Wong, College of Studying, stated: “That is excellent news for widening participation in pc science schooling. Stereotypes exist for a purpose however generally is a highly effective deterrent to participation by some underrepresented teams. Our findings present that younger folks recognise the significance of being educated and hardworking in pc science, and so they additionally worth softer traits akin to creativity and collaboration. This challenges the favored stereotype of pc scientists as merely being ‘intelligent’ however socially challenged.”
Key findings embrace:
– Eight primary clusters of traits had been recognized: Good & Intelligent; Educated & ; Decided & Hardworking; Type & Useful; Artistic; Unbiased; Assured; and Collaborative.
– College students aspiring to careers in pc science had been extra prone to worth numerous traits past simply intelligence.
– Women had been extra prone to describe the perfect pc science scholar as unbiased, however much less prone to describe them as sort and useful.
– College students from much less advantaged backgrounds had been extra prone to deal with intelligence as the important thing trait.
Professor Wong added: “These insights may help educators and policymakers promote a extra inclusive picture of pc science. By highlighting the varied abilities valued within the subject, we will encourage extra younger folks to see themselves as potential pc scientists.”
The research is a part of the SCARI computing undertaking, a three-year research funded by the Nuffield Basis. It goals to grasp elements shaping participation and efficiency in pc science schooling, with a deal with addressing the underrepresentation of ladies within the subject.