Volume 6
Volume 6, Number 15 |
February 15, 2008 |
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Jill Gerhardt-Powals
Mary Ann Trail
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Abstract: A mathematics component has consistently been included as criteria for accrediting information systems programs and many institutions satisfy that requirement with calculus. At the same time, the low enrollment and participation of female and minority students in computing fields is a nationwide concern. At The Richard Stockton College, it was felt that creating a female- and minority-friendly calculus class for Information Systems majors would help students succeed in this challenging course. This article discusses research concerning motivators for both women and men to major in computing fields and pedagogy that has a positive effect on women and minorities. Also, predictors of enrollment in computer courses are analyzed. These research findings and others were incorporated into a math course in order to create an equal playing field for our information systems majors. This article presents both objective and subjective assessment of the course.
Keywords: females and computing, gender issues, females and math, cooperative learning, self-esteem, minorities and math, minorities and computing, self-perception
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Recommended Citation: Gerhardt and Trail (2008). Developing an Equal Playing Field in the Information Systems Classroom. Information Systems Education Journal, 6 (15). http://isedj.org/6/15/. ISSN: 1545-679X. (A preliminary version appears in The Proceedings of ISECON 2007: §2352. ISSN: 1542-7382.)