Closing the Gender Gap By Computing Across the Curriculum

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 

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Computer Literacy---

It’s not about machines

Its about a way of thinking.

It is about how we interact with information

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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.

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Pipeline Approach To Competency

Computer Science Courses

StudentsWorkers in Technology Occupations

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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

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Girls’ Perspectives:

“We Can, But I Don’t Want To”

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Focus Group

70 middle and high school students:

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Focus Group

No overt discrimination or detriment

Girls self-select due to image of the computer culture

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Image of Computer Culture

Solitary Antisocial Sedentary Focus on machines Masculine

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“Some research observes that

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

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

“A passive response by girls

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Teacher Comment:

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

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Teacher Comment:

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

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Teacher Comment:

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

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Computing Across The Curriculum (C-A-C)

Uses the Web-Approach

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C-A-C

Provides for multiple points of entry for computer literacy

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

C-A-C

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Example:

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

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Barrier to C-A-C

Some teachers have computer anxiety.

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Even Tech-Savvy Teachers

Are not persuaded that current educational applications can help their students

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Even Tech-Savvy Teachers

May see little reason to use computer technology in their classroom

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Encourage “Tinkering”

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

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Girls as Designers

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

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Working in Groups

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