Computer science undergraduates\u27 perceptions of e-mail peer mentoring

This research addressed a potential strategy to help boost retention rates for Computer Science undergraduates. A study was conducted at a small New England liberal arts college to determine students\u27 perceptions of e-mail peer-mentoring (EPM). EPM was offered to 40% of students taking the first CS major course (CS1) and was available for the entire semester. EPM participants were assigned peer mentors, selected from an upper-level CS class, to support participants solely via e-mail. Half of the EPM participants knew the name of their mentor while the other half had to communicate anonymously. All participants had additional resources available to them including the textbook, CS department lab tutors, course instructor, and CS1 course tutor. Results indicate that EPM was not well utilized by EPM participants, and that EPM had no significant effect on students\u27 CS interest, CS ability, computer comfort, computer programming, or course completion confidence. Further, knowing or not knowing mentors\u27 names had no significant effect. However, EPM participants recommended that EPM be continued; while they had not needed it, they felt it would be valuable for other students who might need it. Mentors also felt that EPM was worthwhile but that it may be better suited for the more challenging CS2 course. Both participants\u27 and mentors\u27 suggestions notably included an option to hold mentor-mentee meetings. Overall, it seemed that students regarded e-mail as a lower priority among adequate resources for learning assistance