Group projects: woman and men can work together in the computer science realm

摘要

The paper describes how group projects in the undergraduate level can educate men and women about each other, encourage women to continue in the computer science curriculum and reinforce women's role in the computer science realm. In today's society it is important for graduates of the computer science programs to be able to interact with colleagues effectively and professionally. Group projects encourage interaction and mandate that they work as a team to finish the activity and receive their grade. The concepts discussed in the paper were implemented in multiple software engineering courses and a data structure course. The paper provides examples of classroom reaction and techniques that were used in these classes. No student was ever the "token" in a group. Each student had strengths and weaknesses and when the groups were formed correctly, the results were a well-rounded and a productive team. Creating the groups was a key factor and a major component.