6.+Additional+Information

=ADDITIONAL INFORMATION= ==//You may be interested in reading the following correspondence with Professor Joel Cooper, in which we asked him for further clarification of one of his suggested solutions. Further studies and videos are also listed below on this page for your interest but are not part of our formal presentation. However, they may prove useful as future references.//==

//Dear Professor Cooper,

My name is Joanie Proske and I am completing coursework towards a Master of Education with Teacher-Librarianship focus through the University of Alberta. My instructor recommended that I read your 2006 article "The digital divide: the special case of gender". Your research and the connections you have made to other recently published studies, clearly explain the disadvantages girls experience working with technology. As someone who has lived the mathematics anxiety you described in your article and is still struggling to overcome negative perceptions regarding computer abilities, I am most appreciative of your insights. I will be sure to forward your article to our School District Technology Chair, my school principal, school technology department head and members of the local teacher librarian association. As teacher librarian of a large secondary school, I will also be more conscious of what I can do to reduce gender stereotypes. As you mention in your article, instruction and awareness are ways educators can help level the playing field for girls.

As a solution to the gender divide you suggest that schools might consider establishing computer classes in which girls can "interact with computers either in small same-sex groupings or alone" as "mixed-gender groups works to the detriment of girls" (p.323). My question is that wouldn't establishing these "girls only" computer classes enhance the perception that girls require special teaching and lack the ability to operate successfully in a mixed-class situation? Since your article was published have you received feedback from schools trying this "girls only" approach? If you have time to share any further insights with me about this particular suggestion I would be most appreciative. I will be presenting your paper to university colleagues in the near future and also wanted to discuss the idea of a "girls only" computer class with my technology teachers. I appreciate any comments or further readings you are able to suggest. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely, Joanie Proske, Teacher-Librarian (Written January 22, 2009)//

//**Dear Ms. Proske,

Thank you for your kind words about my 2006 article on the digital divide. Your question about the 'girls only' approach is a good one because it needs to be implemented very carefully. My recommendation for a girls-only solution is designed to treat the dilemma of anxiety caused by years of societal stereotypes about girls' ability with technology. The other side of the dilemma is that the solution may create its own problem -- namely, reifying the stereotype about girls' need for special help and tutoring. The key is to implement a girls-only approach without making the opportunity seem like a remedial activity. It should not be described as giving girls extra help or allowing them to learn an activity that they are not usually good at. To the contrary, the girls-only class needs to be described as a challenging opportunity to learn in a way that girls learn best. Boys are simply not allowed to participate in this class. They can have their own. The girls-only computer class is a serious, enriching, learning opportunity. No boys allowed.

Each school system will need to find a description that makes sense within its local context. However, to avoid the consequences of stereotype threat, the activity must be described as an enrichment, a challenge and and opportunity rather than as a "remedial recourse to learn an activity that everyone knows boys are better at." Given that approach, I believe the system will work.

Best regards, Joel Cooper**// **//(Answered January 29, 2009)//**

media type="custom" key="3089288" //Presentation of October 3&4, 2008// //(includes this bone-chilling statistic: Less than ½ as many women are graduating from IT related programs today as were 15 years ago) //
 * A** [|Girls in Gaming Group]**, led by Rennie Redekopp of the University of Manitoba works with girls and teachers from senior high schools across the province for an enrichment opportunity - computer game programming skills in an all girl setting. Laurie Cutrone from Red River College spoke to the Manitoba Girls in Gaming group about education opportunities at Red River College. She also talked about some of the statistics of women in information technology jobs. Some excellent links to some resources that promote ICT with girls are found on slide 22 - and some are copied below:**
 * [|Discover IT]
 * [|Streaming Futures]
 * __[|girlsgotech]__
 * [|Women in IT]
 * [|Media Awareness Network]

[|Alice] **- Check it out!**
 * Rhonda learned about** Alice **at a Senior Years ICT Mentors Meeting on Feb. 17. It's FREE educational software that teaches students 3-D computer programming. There are two downloads available - one for Middle years and one for High Schools/College. It's meant for both males and females, but what is striking is that while it is** //extremely appealing to females//**, apparently the boys love it too!**

Sample All-Girl Public Schools/Programs:

 * [|Earl Grey School Program] **(featuring "Technology as an integral component of all programs, especially math and science")**
 * [|Calgary Girls School]

**Sample All-Girl Private Schools:**

 * [|The National Coalition of Girls' Schools] Great section on brain and alumni research **( alumni research excerpt: "13% intend to major in math or science — significantly more than females and males nationally [2%and 10%, respectively]") **
 * [|Elmwood School (Ottawa)]
 * [|St. Margaret's School (Victoria)]
 * [|Woodlands Academy (Illinois)][|The Woodlands Advantage: The All Girls Frame of Mind]**

Please complete this wiki presentation by visiting the Conclusions.