Conference paper Gold Open Access 2025

A Window into DataWorks: Developing an Integrated Work-Training Curriculum for Novice Adults

SIGCSE TS 2025 - Proceedings of the 56th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education
Conference · Vol. 1 · pp. 568-574
Abstract

Computing education is often confined to the context of formal education or after-school programs; however, there is a growing industry built around adult education, including workshops, coding intensives, online learning, and apprenticeship programs. Amidst these efforts, little research has explored the workplace as a site for novice adult learners to develop computing skills. In this experience report, we present an integrated training curriculum for adults at DataWorks, an organization that trains and employs novice adults from groups historically underrepresented in computing who seek to advance their career through on-the-job learning. “Data Fellows” are hired to complete client projects by providing data services for local organizations, nonprofits, and businesses. Training is integrated into employees’ weekly responsibilities at DataWorks, and the curriculum consists of four modules: Microsoft Excel, Critical Data Literacy, Python Fundamentals, and Career Development. In this report, we reflect holistically on the evolution of the curriculum over four years. We distill our reflection into insights to inform other integrated training programs that aim to equip novice adults with computing skills in the workplace. © 2025 Copyright held by the owner/author(s).

Keywords

Author Keywords

communities of practice Workplace Data Work Novice Adults Training Curriculum

Index Keywords

Teaching Curricula Personnel training workplace Apprentices Computing education Communities of Practice Information services Training curriculum Adult education Computing skills Data work Formal education Novice adult School project
Author Affiliations
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
Atlanta Public Schools, Atlanta, GA, United States
Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, United States
Funding & Acknowledgements
National Science Foundation, NSF
Grant: 1951818
This report is supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 1951818, the Constellations Center for Equity and Computing at Georgia Institute of Technology, and the Public Interest Technology University Network Challenge Fund, a fiscally sponsored project of New Venture Fund. We thank Michael Johnson, Idel Mart\u00EDnez, Carl DiSalvo, and Kayla Evans for their support in preparing this experience report.
National Science Foundation, NSF
This report is supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 1951818, the Constellations Center for Equity and Computing at Georgia Institute of Technology, and the Public Interest Technology University Network Challenge Fund, a fiscally sponsored project of New Venture Fund. We thank Michael Johnson, Idel Mart\u00EDnez, Carl DiSalvo, and Kayla Evans for their support in preparing this experience report.
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