Proposals

Instructional Technology Conference 2009

Title: PeerSpace: a social networking environment that promotes peer learning
amongst college students

Name: Dr. Cen Li, Dr. Zhijiang Dong, Dr. Roland Untch

Audience: Faculty

Audience Level: All

Length: 1 Hour

Abstract: In common with most introductory courses, introductory computer science courses nationwide suffer from unacceptably high dropout and failure rates. A lack of motivation and persistence by, and support for, the beginning students are often cited as important contributing factors to this problem. A new social networking environment, PeerSpace, positively addresses the factors, by allowing students to interact with each other synchronously and asynchronously on course-related materials as well as social matters. The development and lessons learned using PeerSpace are discussed.

Description: AExcellence in CS education is adversely affected by student attitudes. Studies have revealed an unfortunate culture among students in introductory computer science (CS) courses that is characterized by: combativeness towards the opinions of peers, unwillingness to support or aid others, procrastination on assignments, disdain for working in groups, and a lack of motivation, persistence, and passion towards the course material. As a result, high dropout and failure rates, sometimes as high as fifty percent, have been a common phenomenon in introductory CS courses (i.e. CS1 and CS2) nationwide.

Education research provides evidence on what could be done to enhance student motivation, persistence, and passion towards their studies; on how to increase willingness to work collaboratively, to be supportive of and accept the suggestions and opinions of others; and on how to foster a positive CS student culture. The key is to help students develop a network of support provided by their peers, which is especially important during the first year of study when many freshmen suffer from social isolation, especially among female students and under-represented students.

PeerSpace, a social network based virtual environment developed for students enrolled in the introductory computer science courses, is our initial step to help students build an academically-oriented cohort of first-year students as the source of peer support. To enhance student learning by promoting strong peer support, both academically and socially, PeerSpace:

• Expands the peer population from within one section of a course to the freshman CS population. It provides a larger, more inclusive and accessible online learning community where it is more likely for the student to find friends that share similar interests, values, and background. These early relationships not only can help the students succeed in the freshman CS courses, but also serve as a strong support for further studies in the CS program.

• Integrates a suite of Web 2.0 tools for student interactions. PeerSpace allows the students to communicate with each other synchronously and asynchronously on course-related materials as well as social matters. The virtual environment provides an improved vehicle that better suits the busy study and work schedules of today's college students.

During the one-hour presentation, we will discuss the building of PeerSpace, how PeerSpace is introduced to the students enrolled in the introductory computer science courses in the Fall semester in 2008; lessons we have learned from the experiment; responses received from the students, and future direction of this work.

Session Type: Lecture/Presentation

On-Site Equipment Requirements: internet connection

Contact Information/Affiliation:
Dr. Cen Li, Computer Science Dept., Middle Tennessee State University

Dr. Zhijiang Dong, Computer Science Dept., Middle Tennessee State University

Dr. Roland Untch, Computer Science Dept., Middle Tennessee State University