Jeanette Shown

I witnessed my first solar eclipse at the age of 11 using a homemade device, safely watching and photographing the event from beginning to end. My journey into technology continued with the advent of computers, which operate on binary code—until the eventual shift to quantum computing. Currently, I am conducting research in two main areas. First, I am exploring how blind and visually impaired students learn computational thinking and computer programming. Second, I finished my certification in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, through Standford with the support of Amazon. Specifically, I aim to develop programs that enhance medical decision-making with greater precision, considering the diverse populations in the United States.My professional experience includes roles at Microsoft, Sierra Entertainment, and Boeing in Seattle. Academically, I am associated with the Center for Social Sciences and Computational Research at the University of Washington, as well as the United States Coast Guard Integrated Support Command in Seattle. I have taught undergraduate technology programs at the University of Washington, where my students and I once assisted the Port of Tacoma in upgrading their rent and lease tracking system for container ships. This class project saved the Port of Tacoma approximately one million dollars and provided them with the time to plan their next steps in programming and automation.

At Goshen College, I teach upper-level computing science and information technology courses. My students gain real-world experience through projects such as resolving memory allocation issues for smaller manufacturers, creating databases from historic cemetery records, and securing internships with local and other employers.

I believe that while machine learning and AI can present challenges, they also offer opportunities to improve lives. Just as the automotive industry gradually introduced seat belts, airbags, and sensory detectors to enhance safety, our society learns from mistakes and embraces diverse perspectives with fairness and concern for others. This balance of professional preparedness and ethical consideration is what I strive to instill in my students every day in computing science.

Computing Science

COSC206: Computational Thinking
COSC216: Programming I
COSC316: Programming II
COSC346: Human Computer Interaction
COSC356: Networking and Security
COSC360: Operating Systems
COSC365: Analysis of Algorithms/Machine Learning
COSC366: Database Designs
COSC375: Topics in Computer Science (examples: Robotics, AI, ML, Secure Networking, White Hat Hacking)
COSC406: Systems Analysis
COSC409: Internship
COSC410: Senior Seminar
COSC416: Project Management

Game Development

COSC270: Introduction into Game Development 2D
COSC370: Advanced Game Development 3D & VR

Lower-Level Courses:

Computing Science:

Computational Thinking: Introduction to problem-solving and algorithmic thinking.
Introduction to Programming: Basics of coding in various programming languages.
Introduction to Game Development 2D: Fundamentals of 2D game development, including ethics in game development.
Transact-SQL: Introduction to SQL and database management.

Upper-Level Courses:

Programming II:

Language taught from the most current development environments.

Human-Computer Interaction:

Engineering and understanding the best designs for web and interactive experiences within a computational environment.

Networking and Security:

Understanding and operating networking and security systems within cloud and on-premise solutions.

Operating Systems:

Understanding the internal workings of computer processing units, memory use, communication, and the serialized working of programming command processes.

Analysis of Algorithms and Machine Learning:

Recognizing and learning to use optimal algorithms for solving real-life problems within a software engineering environment.

Database Design:

In-depth study of database types, designing databases, and effectively retrieving and understanding database structures.

Topics in Computing Science:

Integrates various subjects, including:
- Robotics
- Building secure, private networks
- Understanding and using Machine Learning and AI
- Creating game-like simulations for managing depression
- Ethics in computing science
- Historical impact of computing
- Social inclusion in computing science learning environments

Systems Analysis:

Partnership between software engineering and the ability to analyze current real-life issues and create software solutions.

Project Management:

Implementation of solutions found in Systems Analysis through project management techniques.

Advanced Game Development 3D and Virtual Reality:

Using 3D structures and Virtual Reality headsets to create simulations or games covering topics such as mental health, mathematical games, gravity, movement, and saving the world from zombies.

Internships:

Collaborating with local and regional industries to find potential internships for GC computing and information technology students.

National Federation of the Blind(2024):
- State of Indiana STEM2U coordinator for the summer program for blind students in grades 4th through 7th.
AWS Grant (2023):
- $2,500 grant and certification for Machine Learning in the Cloud and Artificial Intelligence.
Digital Eve Grant (2022):
- $1,800 grant from Mennonite.net for the Goshen College chapter of Digital Eve, supporting women in computing science.
Meta In-Kind Grant (2022):
- Donation of 20 Oculus Quest II virtual reality headsets, valued at $6,000.
Indiana Computes Grant (2019-2021):
- Sub-awardee and Principal Investigator for Goshen College, a $20,000 grant. Goshen College participated in developing and administering the IndianaComputes program, a K-12 initiative to deliver state-wide, rigorous, evidence-based, comprehensive, and cost-effective Computer Science Professional Development for teachers. The program involved 10 universities across the state, focusing on coaching K-12 teachers in content knowledge and pedagogy in computer science.
Google Grant (2016):
- $8,500 grant from Google’s IgniteCS program, supporting student groups committed to developing and delivering a computer science outreach program in their community. Watch this: YouTube