A mentor program in CS1

ABSTRACT

Mentor programs are a highly effective way of assisting students with the transition from high school to university. This paper documents the introduction of the mentor program in our department. In this program, higher year students volunteered to act as mentors to incoming freshmen. Mentors fulfilled technical and social roles assisting freshmen with the transition to university and with their studies in computer science.We explain the details of mentor selection and their activities during the semester. We evaluate the outcomes of mentoring for students, mentors and the department.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.3 COMPUTERS AND EDUCATION
      K.3.2 Computer and Information Science Education
          Subjects: Computer science education

General Terms:
Human Factors, Management

Keywords:
first year experience, mentoring