Exploration of the Relationship between Prior Computing Experience and Gender on Success in College Computer Science

Abstract

Current research shows that many American students are now entering college with substantial prior computing experience. Researchers studied a large group of non-computer science majors to determine the effects of this prior experience on success in college computer science courses. Specific relationships between prior experience factors and gender were studied. While only certain prior experiences correlated with success for males, virtually all prior experiences were beneficial for females. In the group studied, females compared favorably with males in all areas, including success rates and final grade percentages. The results show a significant correlation between early prior computing experiences and success by females in a college computer course and thus could indicate that pre-college computing can have an important role in achieving gender equity in college computer science courses.