Home PublicationsJRTEPast IssuesVolume 42 Number 1: Fall 2009

Pair Programming in Middle School: What Does It Look Like?

Linda Werner
University of California, Santa Cruz

Jill Denner
Education, Training, Research Associates

Abstract

Few early intervention efforts have improved the representation of women in computer science and engineering (CSE) disciplines, but pair programming has shown promise for reducing gender differences among college students. The current study is the first to examine this promising practice in middle school. In an effort to better understand what pair programming looks like, we describe an observational study of middle school girls. We coded audiotape transcripts to show the kinds of interactions that appear to promote or undermine effective problem solving. The findings are interpreted in terms of how to promote the kinds of interactions that make it more likely that middle school students will persist in the kind of problem solving that will prepare them for further CSE coursework.

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Contributors

Linda Werner is an associate researcher and lecturer in computer science at the University of California at Santa Cruz. Her research areas include software engineering, pair programming, and social issues. (Address: CS Dept., 1156 High Street MS: SOE3, University of California, Santa Cruz 95064; E-mail: linda@cs.ucsc.edu)

Jill Denner is associate director of research at Education, Training, Research Associates. Her research areas include gender, positive youth development, and technology in education. (Address: 4 Carbonero Way, Scotts Valley, CA 95066; E-mail: jilld@etr.org)