Using the Kolbe A

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Using the Kolbe A Conative Index to Study
Retention of Computer Science Students

• Robert Lingard
• Brenda Timmerman
• Elizabeth Berry
• California State University, Northridge

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Overview

• The Retention Problem
• What Does the Kolbe A Conative Index Measure?
• Results From Previous Studies With Upper Division
  Students?
• Current Studies With Freshmen?
• Can We Improve Retention by Changing the Way We
  Teach?
• Conclusions and Recommendations

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The Retention Problem

• At CSUN fewer than 20 of students who decide to
  major in Computer Science as freshmen complete
  the program.
• Many Colleges and Universities report that the
  graduation rate in Computer Science is the
  lowest, or near the lowest, of all majors.
• In order to improving retention we need to
  understand why students drop out.

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The Kolbe Concept

• It identifies the conative instincts that drive
  the way one operates, e.g., the way one
  approaches problem solving.
• It focuses on strengths and provides insight on
  how to help people be more productive and
  effective
• It is universal, unbiased, and an individuals
  Kolbe index tends to remain the same over time

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The Kolbe Instinctive Talents

• Fact Finder
• Collects data, asks questions, probes
• Follow Thru
• Makes schedules, plans ahead
• Quick Start
• Innovates, takes risks, improvises
• Implementor
• Builds and constructs, creates models

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Sample Kolbe Results
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Kolbe Profile of Upper Division Computer Science
Students
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Kolbe Profile of Marketing Managers
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Kolbe Profile Comparisons
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Kolbe Profile Comparisons
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Comparison of Conative Talents between
Instructors and Students
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Comparison of Implementors with Other Students in
1st CS Course
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Weed out or Cultivate

• Students have a wide diversity of preparation and
  Kolbe profiles
• Frequently beginning Computer Science courses are
  directed at the well prepared and/or
  fact-finder students, weeding out the others

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How Do We Cultivate?

• Studies have shown that improved teaching
  techniques have increased both achievement and
  retention
• This is important because many of the less
  prepared students are women and/or economically
  disadvantaged

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What are Improved Teaching/Learning Techniques?

• How to choose possible alternative techniques?
• Trial and Error finding out what works
• Kolbe A Index get to what might work quicker

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US Military Academy, West Point

• All students have to pass an introductory
  programming course, regardless of major
• Robots are used to help students learn
  fundamental programming concepts
• They claim that this approach increases retention
  and all students benefit from it

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Stagecast Software

• Stagecast Creator enables nonprogrammers to
  construct interactive visual simulations
• Stagecast claims simulations are powerful
  teaching tools that make abstract concepts
  concrete.

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Above Examples Are Consistent with Kolbe A
Findings

• They provide a learning environment that is not
  only more comfortable for the Kolbe implementors,
  but increases performance of all students
• They make abstractions more tangible for those
  who need some concreteness while providing
  additonal stimulation to all students

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Conclusions

• The Kolbe A Index is a useful tool for
  suggesting teaching techniques that may improve
  the retention of beginning programming students.
• We will undertake to develop, apply, and assess
  specific approaches to teaching and learning that
  make programming concepts less abstract.
• To provide concrete, hands on learning
  experiences for students, tools like robot kits
  and visual simulation software may be useful.
• The wide differences in levels of preparedness
  among beginning students must be addressed.