Equality of opportunity for work experience? Computing students at two UK universities “play the game”
Journal Article
Smith, S., Taylor-Smith, E., Bacon, L., & Mackinnon, L. (2019)
Equality of opportunity for work experience? Computing students at two UK universities “play the game”. British Journal of Sociology of Education, 40(3), 324-339. https://doi.org/10.1080/01425692.2018.1489219
A recent UK Government commissioned study found concerning levels of unemployment among computing students from disadvantaged, black and minority ethnic backgrounds. The study...
Computing degree apprenticeships: An opportunity to address gender imbalance in the IT sector?
Conference Proceeding
Smith, S., Taylor-Smith, E., Fabian, K., Barr, M., Berg, T., Cutting, D., …Zarb, M. (2020)
Computing degree apprenticeships: An opportunity to address gender imbalance in the IT sector?. In 2020 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE). https://doi.org/10.1109/FIE44824.2020.9274144
This paper explores the potential for new work-based apprenticeship degrees to encourage more women into computing degrees and the IT sector. In the UK, women are currently un...
Placement or practicalities? Barriers and disincentives to work experience, as reported by computing students
Presentation / Conference
Taylor-Smith, E., Smith, S., & Smith, C. (2017, December)
Placement or practicalities? Barriers and disincentives to work experience, as reported by computing students. Paper presented at Society for Research Into Higher Education (SRHE) Annual Conference, Newport, Wales
Having relevant work experience, such as a placement or internship, is valued by employers in the technology sector and can improve employment outcomes for computing graduates...
From Interest to Decision: A Comparative Exploration of Student Attitudes and Pathways to Co-op Programs in the United States and the United Kingdom
Journal Article
Ramirez, N., Smith, S., Smith, C. F., Berg, T., Strubel, B., Ohland, M., & Main, J. (2016)
From Interest to Decision: A Comparative Exploration of Student Attitudes and Pathways to Co-op Programs in the United States and the United Kingdom. International Journal of Engineering Education, 32(5A), 1867-1878
Cooperative education programs (co-op) play a vital role in developing engineering and computing students’ applied technological skills and professional self-confidence. Never...
Partnership and preparation: a new model of transition from college to university
Conference Proceeding
Meharg, D., & Fotheringham, J. (2016)
Partnership and preparation: a new model of transition from college to university. In Equality and diversity in learning and teaching in higher education : Papers from Equality Challenge Unit and Higher Education Academy joint conferences. , (102-112
Widening participation in higher education continues to be a key focus for Scottish government and the 2013 Post-16 Education (Scotland) Act places obligations upon Universiti...
Supporting student transitions to placement and work: developing a new self-identity
Journal Article
Webster, G., Smith, S., & Smith, C. (2016)
Supporting student transitions to placement and work: developing a new self-identity. New Directions in the Teaching of Physical Sciences, 11(1),
Moves towards the marketisation of higher education together with concerns over the challenges of graduate employment have led to an increased prioritisation of students under...
'I hope we can handle it': A study examining student ability beliefs and motivations before transition
Journal Article
Meharg, D., Craighill, S., Varey, A., & Tizard, J. (2016)
'I hope we can handle it': A study examining student ability beliefs and motivations before transition. Education in the North, 23(2), 128-140
This paper employs the ‘Expectancy-Value Model of Achievement Motivation’ (Wigfield and Eccles, 2000) to identify performance barriers and facilitators for further education s...
Uses of Peer Assessment in Database Teaching and Learning
Conference Proceeding
Paterson, J., Wilson, J. N., & Leimich, P. (2012)
Uses of Peer Assessment in Database Teaching and Learning. In Data Security and Security Data. , (135-146). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-25704-9_17
This discussion paper introduces three very different methods and contexts for the use of peer assessment in introductory database classes, each of which is supported by diffe...
In search of self-efficacy: development of a new instrument for first year Computer Science students
Journal Article
Bhardwaj, J. (2017)
In search of self-efficacy: development of a new instrument for first year Computer Science students. Computer Science Education, 27(2), 79-99. https://doi.org/10.1080/08993408.2017.1355522
This study explores the changes in Computer Science (CS) students’ self-efficacy between entering study and the end of first year of university. It aims to give course leaders...
The impact of work placement on graduate employment in computing: outcomes from a UK-based study
Journal Article
Smith, S., Taylor-Smith, E., Smith, C., & Webster, G. (2018)
The impact of work placement on graduate employment in computing: outcomes from a UK-based study. International Journal of Work-Integrated Learning, 19(4), 359-369
This study followed recent computing graduates into the workplace and explored their undergraduate experiences of work placements and subsequent impact on graduate employment....