Farewell to CS 301, ST: Computer Networks

Whitman’s last day of classes is this coming Monday. Since my Computer Networks class meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays, today was our last day of class. This blog post is based on the notes for my farewell speech.

Outline due to Dr. Freda Rebelsky via Dr. Samuel Rebelsky.

  1. This class was special.
  2. Keep in touch.
  3. Take care of yourselves and each other.
  4. Remember to say goodbye.

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Welcoming Women to Computer Science: The Director’s Cut

Before my article 5 Ways to Welcome Women to Computer Science was published in The Chronicle of Higher Education, there was, of course, a longer version. I’d like to share that here because it includes some details—and one entire point—that didn’t make print.

It’s also come to my attention that the Chronicle article is behind a paywall. My blog, of course, is not.

So without further ado or revisions, here it is. Continue reading

What I was like as a student

Me ca. 1997, wearing the HMC “Claremont Smog Scale” t-shirt – in grey, of course. Note the loose hair and awkwardly amused expression. Photo courtesy Bob Keller (may he rest in peace).

At a recent (virtual) gathering of friends and colleagues, Sharon Alker asked, “What were you like as a student?” This blog post is an extended response to her question—partly for Sharon and my other faculty friends, partly for my students (particularly one graduating student who I think might gain some insight into our relationship over the last few years), and partly, as always, for myself.*

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2020 in review

At Whitman, like at many other institutions of higher education, faculty submit an annual activity report. Why? As with annual reviews in any profession, it’s a prod to reflection and self-evaluation. We don’t work closely with our nominal boss, the Dean of the College, so it serves to inform her of our workload and accomplishments. She uses this information to determine raises for the following academic year. (Not that I expect there will be raises this year—except, I hope, promotion raises for those who are so entitled.)

I’ve never been moved to blog about my annual activity report before. It’s a routine chore. But this activity report, post-sabbatical and mid-pandemic, left me thinking, “Wow, I got a lot done last year!” That’s despite spending 2 1/2 months at home with my toddler, and despite spending much of the fall semester feeling completely feckless. I think my 2020 activity report tells a story about the nature of faculty work and the mood of 2020. Continue reading

We are hiring!

Whitman is hiring a one-year visitor in computer science:

The Computer Science Department at Whitman College is seeking candidates for a one-year position in Computer Science, at the rank of visiting instructor or visiting assistant professor, beginning August 2021. M.S. or higher education teaching experience in Computer Science or a related discipline is required.

The successful candidate will offer multiple sections of either Introductory Computer Science in Python or Data Structures in C++ or Java, plus at least one further Computer Science course at an intermediate or advanced level. The teaching load is five course sections per year; our largest sections include about 30 students.

To learn more and apply, see https://whitman.bamboohr.com/hiring/jobs/47

Please share with anyone who might be interested. I am happy to answer any questions.

Five years of research in 33 minutes

At Whitman, faculty are required to give a public talk after each sabbatical. Most faculty fulfill this obligation through a talk in the Faculty Forum series – as did I, this past Wednesday.

This talk summarizes five years of research on four projects:
0. Survey of technology to influence language use
1. Media analysis of Just Not Sorry
2. Value sensitive design of Degender the Web
3. Development of Reading for Gender Bias

It was surprisingly fun. Please watch below:

Habits for Spring 2021

I’ve realized part of what made the fall semester so difficult is that I was so overwhelmed, I lost track of many of the routines that sustain me. It’s not like this hasn’t happened before, but I can’t remember it ever happening so badly for so long.

So as part of my preparations for the spring 2021 semester, I thought about habits I want to continue from the winter break, resume from earlier in my professional life, or begin anew. Continue reading

Lessons learned from my first semester of Grading for Equity

This fall, I made my first experiments with Grading for Equity, an approach intended to address inequities in traditional points-based grading schemes. Alongside, I adopted the supporting practice of specifications grading. Soon it became clear I was not one instructor acting alone, but part of a movement among CS educators responding to the uncertain conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic.

I’ve been asked to blog on my lessons learned, so I will. But first, to warm up, I’ll tell the story of how I got started.

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