04/22/23

Closing the Gender Gap By

Computing Across the Curriculum

American Association of University Women, Tallahassee BranchFACE, Region IILeon County Schools

04/22/23

Three Models of Gender Equity

 Productivity Model---mastery of tools, such as e-mail, PowerPoint, etc. Career View Model---skill in computer applications required for professional IT jobs Fluency Model---active learning that emphasizes problem-solving and critical thinking 

04/22/23

Computer Literacy---

It’s not about machines

Its about a way of thinking.

It is about how we interact with information

04/22/23

Computer Literacy

We want girls to be competent with technology:

Not because we want more female computer scientists.

But because we want girls to have the basic skills they need in life…

No matter what they choose to do.

04/22/23

Pipeline Approach To Competency

Computer Science Courses

StudentsWorkers in Technology Occupations

04/22/23

Web Approach To Competency

Students do projects that require technology skills in content areas that are relevant and interesting.

Foreign Language

History

Science

Math

Sports

English

04/22/23

Girls’ Perspectives:

“We Can, But I Don’t Want To”

04/22/23

Focus Group

70 middle and high school students:

04/22/23

Focus Group

No overt discrimination or detriment

Girls self-select due to image of the computer culture

04/22/23

Image of Computer Culture

Solitary Antisocial Sedentary Focus on machines Masculine

04/22/23

“Some research observes that

girls who behave aggressively in computer rich settings risk becoming unpopular with boys and girls alike.”

04/22/23

“may seem the safest and most rational.”---Tech-Savvy Report

“A passive response by girls

04/22/23

Teacher Comment:

“Girls seem to work better together and in all-female groups.”

04/22/23

Teacher Comment:

“Boys like to work more on their own and “take over” if they work with girls.”

04/22/23

Teacher Comment:

“Those that know the computer either monopolize it or end up doing work for those that know little about the computer.”

04/22/23

Computing Across The Curriculum (C-A-C)

Uses the Web-Approach

04/22/23

C-A-C

Provides for multiple points of entry for computer literacy

04/22/23

Provides a more inclusive computer culture for all students, not just girls

C-A-C

04/22/23

Example:

A science project to design an information system to track HIV testing and notification.

04/22/23

Barrier to C-A-C

Some teachers have computer anxiety.

04/22/23

Even Tech-Savvy Teachers

Are not persuaded that current educational applications can help their students

04/22/23

Even Tech-Savvy Teachers

May see little reason to use computer technology in their classroom

04/22/23

Encourage “Tinkering”

Teach “tinkering” activities that let learners experiment rather than meet specific goals.

04/22/23

Girls as Designers

Encourage girls to think of themselves as designers, not just users of software and games.

04/22/23

Working in Groups

Include gender as a factor to consider when grouping students for technology-related activities.