Table Of ContentDropping Out of Computer Science: A Phenomenological Study of Student Lived
Experiences in Community College Computer Science
A Dissertation
Submitted to the Faculty
of
Drexel University
by
Daniel H. Gilbert-Valencia
in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the degree
of
Doctor of Education
August 2014
© 2014
Daniel H. Gilbert-Valencia. All rights reserved.
Abstract
Dropping Out of Computer Science: A Phenomenological Study of Student Lived
Experiences in Community College Computer Science
Daniel H. Gilbert-Valencia, Ed.D.
Drexel University, August 2014
Chairperson: Kathy D. Geller
California community colleges contribute alarmingly few computer science
degree or certificate earners. While the literature shows clear K-12 impediments to CS
matriculation in higher education, very little is known about the experiences of those who
overcome initial impediments to CS yet do not persist through to program completion.
This phenomenological study explores insights into that specific experience by
interviewing underrepresented, low income, first-generation college students who began
community college intending to transfer to 4-year institutions majoring in CS but
switched to another field and remain enrolled or graduated. This study explores the lived
experiences of students facing barriers, their avenues for developing interest in CS, and
the persistence support systems they encountered, specifically looking at how students
constructed their academic choice from these experiences. The growing diversity within
California’s population necessitates that experiences specific to underrepresented
students be considered as part of this exploration. Ten semi-structured interviews and
observations were conducted, transcribed and coded. Artifacts supporting student
experiences were also collected. Data was analyzed through a social-constructivist lens
to provide insight into experiences and how they can be navigated to create actionable
strategies for community college computer science departments wishing to increase
student success.
Three major themes emerged from this research: (1) students shared pre-college
characteristics; (2) faced similar challenges in college CS courses; and (3) shared similar
reactions to the “work” of computer science. Results of the study included (1) CS
interest development hinged on computer ownership in the home; (2) participants shared
characteristics that were ideal for college success but not CS success; and (3) encounters
in CS departments produced unique challenges for participants.
Though CS interest was and remains abundant, opportunities for learning
programming skills before college were non-existent and there were few opportunities in
college to build skills or establish a peer support networks. Recommendations for
institutional leaders and further research are also provided.
This Ed.D. dissertation committee from the School of Education at Drexel University
certifies that this is the approved version of the following dissertation:
Dropping Out of Computer Science: A Phenomenological Study of Student Lived
Experiences in Community College Computer Science
Daniel H. Gilbert-Valencia
Committee:
___________________________________
Kathy D. Geller, Ph.D.
___________________________________
Holly Carpenter, Ph.D.
___________________________________
Elisa Orosco Anders, Ed.D.
Dedication
To my wife Kate who sacrificed so much. Without her support and encouragement this
study would not have been.
To my sons: William, Ben, James, and Oscar.
To the folks who raised me: Amelia “Maw” Wray, Debra Fisher, Ed “Tata” Valencia,
George “Paw” Wray, Irma Rister, Mary “Nana” Valencia, Randy Rister, Roland Fisher,
and Wayne Gilbert.
To Rich “Smash” Cao. You’ve always answered my calls for help and I’m forever
grateful to have served with you.
To all seekers.
iv
Acknowledgments
A great many people were influential in this journey. First, many thanks to the
participants of this study who gave their time and bravely spoke their truths. Their stories
are the lifeblood of this study. They are the heroes of their communities and families
who dared to set sail for the unknown.
A big thank you to Debbie Velasquez for providing the MESA statistics that
sparked my curiosity about the topic. I’m also extremely grateful to all of the MESA
directors who answered my many questions. I’m appreciative of the patience and support
of Mai-Gemu Johnson, Michael Carney, Char Perlas, Connie Gonzalez, Jesse Ortiz, and
especially Andy Newton who introduced me to Joe Welch. Joe took the time to point me
towards Stuck in the shallow end: Education, race, and computing, which I read,
highlighted, and re-read. Joe’s work with the Computer Science and Information
Technology Bachelor 's Degree in 3 Years program at Hartnell College is in itself a best
practice.
Thank you to my colleagues Drexel University: Bright Nichols-Stock, Catherine
Kendall, Erica Wellington, David Inniss, Holly Whitworth, Kawami Evans, Marian
Nichols, Linda Norman, Lottie Lynch, Lynn Martindale, Robert Shields, Todd Felts and
Victor Dike. A special thanks to Phe Bach and Elena Heilman for checking in and
making sure I was still moving forward. Many thanks to Drexel’s outstanding faculty as
well: Salvatore Falletta, Wendy Combs, Rebecca Clothey, Elizabeth Haslam, and
especially José Luis Chávez.
My thanks too to my colleagues at Sacramento City College and the Los Rios
Community College District. Rhonda Rios Kravitz gave much encouragement during this
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year and helped me see the light at the end of the tunnel. I also wish to express gratitude
for the encouragement and a willing ear to Jory Hadsell, Nicole Wooley, Norman Lorenz,
Sheley Little, Tracey Valverde, and Zack Dowell.
I love my dissertation committee. I can’t imagine a better group of academic
guides. Thank you to Holly Carpenter for taking me on a second time and ensuring this
study was something I could be proud of. Thank you Elisa Orosco Anders for listening
to me chatter about this topic for nearly three years. You are a rock for many and I’m
truly lucky to have you to lean on when I needed it most. Thank you Kathy Geller for
your guidance as my chair. Your facilitation of this project was invaluable. You saved
me from myself on numerous occasions and your wise and generous suggestions
improved the drafts greatly.
And finally, it is Kate to whom I credit this study to. She endured so many
brainstorming sessions and anxious moments. I owe every page of this study to her
thoughtfulness, encouragement, and sacrifice.
vi
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments................................................................................................................v
List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... ix
List of Figures ......................................................................................................................x
Chapter 1. Introduction to the Research ..............................................................................1
Introduction to the Problem .....................................................................................1
Statement of the Problem to be Researched ............................................................5
Purpose and Significance of the Problem ................................................................5
Research Questions ..................................................................................................7
Conceptual Framework ............................................................................................8
Definition of Terms ...............................................................................................13
Assumptions and Limitations ...............................................................................16
Summary ................................................................................................................18
Chapter 2. Literature Review .............................................................................................19
Introduction to Chapter 2 .......................................................................................19
Literature Review...................................................................................................20
Summary of Chapter 2 ...........................................................................................46
Chapter 3. Research Methodology .....................................................................................48
Introduction ............................................................................................................48
Research Design and Rationale .............................................................................49
Site and Population ................................................................................................51
Research Methods .................................................................................................54
Ethical Considerations ...........................................................................................61
vii
Chapter 4. Findings, Results, and Interpretations ..............................................................62
Introduction ............................................................................................................62
Findings..................................................................................................................64
Results and Interpretations .....................................................................................96
Summary of Findings, Results, and Interpretations .............................................108
Chapter 5. Conclusions and Recommendations..............................................................109
Introduction ..........................................................................................................109
Conclusions ..........................................................................................................110
Recommendations ................................................................................................115
Summary ..............................................................................................................119
References ........................................................................................................................122
Appendix A: Interview Protocol ......................................................................................133
Appendix B: Observation Protocol ..................................................................................135
Appendix C: Invitation to Participate ..............................................................................136
Appendix D: Resume Template .......................................................................................138
Appendix E: Letter of Consent ........................................................................................139
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