8.+Questions

=QUESTIONS TO PONDER:=

====//Choose any of the following questions to respond to on our topic of Gender Divide. If you are a member of Wikispaces you should be able to compose on this page. If this doesn't work for you, there is public access to the discussion page (see the tabs), so you could leave your comments there. Just quote the question number you are responding to. We'll be sure to visit this page regularly and tidy up any posting problems to keep things organized - no worries! Looking forward to your thoughts!//====

//1. Think back to your first use of computers. What influenced your personal attitudes towards the use of computers and may have shaped and guided your competence with them?//
My first use of computers was way back before the Internet came into popular use, so it was not very interesting or useful to me. The next time I started using computers was in a work setting, where the software and applications were for a specific purpose and my competence was necessary. It was interesting and fruitful, so I soon became a trainer and found it a satisfying experience. - yak17 My first experience with computers was when we transitioned from typewriters to computers in typing class. Unfortunately, they were only used as "fancy typewriters" which influenced my use of computers as solely for word processing until I acquired access to the internet. - Sheila My first experience with computers was in Grade 10 Computer Class, and I found it dull and boring. Then, I worked in an office as a summer student entering data - it was mindless and I read a lot of Shakespeare to compensate (LOL). Once e-mailing, Flickr and Blogging became popular, I started feeling at home on the Net.- Carol My first experience with computers was in elementary school when my teacher brought his Commodar 64 to school. I remember that you had to input a lot of programming language/data before you could actually //DO// anything with it. Usually the boys would want to play games, and this was boring for me. Later on, we got an Apple computer which basically was a glorified typewriter. - Jes //My first time was in grade four. The assignment was to create a digital book. I remember being excited and enthralled with the idea that I could create content on a computer and animate it. Thinking back to that, I realize how ground-breaking that lesson must have been, it was the mid 1980's!! I have visited many classrooms recently where the students don't get time to do anything but simple word processing or "All the Right Type" activities on their school computers................-April // My first time with a computer, was in University with the computer labs. I would pop in to type up my essays. But in 1998, my teacher-mentor told me to buy a computer and learn to use it and that I needed to create a powerpoint presentation for a science lesson to pass the practicum I begged my dad for $500, used my visa for the rest, and bought a computer. I am so grateful for the push I got from my mentoring teacher. -Danielle Interesting how most first introductions to the computer revolve around the technology's word processing capabilities? Makes me question why the shift towards anxiety became so pronounced, given that women and "typewriters" are such a gender stereotypical connection. Hmmmm? Joanie I started using the computer initially as a game device (surprised? probably not!) as I was heavily into Hero's Quest and Dungeons and Dragons and the games on the computer offered one more level to my gaming experience. I was not a normal girl, though, I was a total tomboy and spent much of my computer time playing games geared towards males. At first I really had no use for the internet! Christine :) My first experiences with a computer were just like Sheila...a glorified typewriter! I have to confess that I fought the integration of technology hard when it first began to surface more vigorously about 10 years ago. I was definitely a victim of "computer anxiety"! Yes, your stereotypical female! - Heather Been there, done that. Guess who also fought back against computers when they were first introduced? Granted I could not see the connection between teaching "turtle steps" and learning. Joanie My very first experience using a computer was probably an Apple 2e in a Basic French class in the mid-late 1980s... Looking back on it, I remember that we were all so excited to answer questions in French to win the "maillot jaune" on a very primitive, 2-dimensional Tour de France game. My real immersion in computers took place when I was assigned to a newly built school in our division with a technology focus. There was lots of support and motivation from admin and other staff to adopt computer technology in the building. We were even encouraged to take school computers home on the weekend and holidays to become more proficient. As well, the division started a pay-as-you-go plan for staff to purchase their own computers... which is how I bought my first MAC - an LCIII! -katkin ===//2. Which specific strategies can administrators/teachers/teacher-librarians/ parents (choose one) implement to move towards eliminating the gender digital divide? //=== Teachers and teacher-librarians can embed information skills through the use of computers and computer programs within the curriculum. All students, regardless of gender, will be able to achieve information literacy thereby reducing the digital divide. - Sheila I agree with your comment that technology can be embedded into the curriculum and girls have been shown to prefer using technology for authentic learning situations. The authors of "Conditions for Success? Gender in Technology-Intensive Courses in British Columbia Secondary Schools" recommend against that trend and towards technology intensive courses so that proper interventions can be made for gender. I'm not convinced that is the answer yet, but the authors certainly have caused me to think about it. - Rhonda I like the idea of a Girls only computer "enrichment" group. I'm not sure I would be the expert to teach it - but it would be interesting to see what the girls want to actually do on/with the computers - and how that might differ from what the boys want to do.- Carol Carol, I agree that girls are likely to want to use computers differently than boys, and it would be interesting to see what direction they would take with them. As a teacher, I try to use technology to enhance my curriculum, and as far as I can tell, the girls seem to be better at using what's available on the computer/internet to augment their learning. I wonder if the key to eliminating the gender digital divide is to consciously remove any potential bias at an early age (grades 1- 3)? What do you think? - Jes I agree, Jess. I think stereotyping starts young. My Grade 1s have always been keen to jump on the computer. The girls and the boys. I have always set up a webpage for tehm to go to and explore the sites listed there. The girls loved computer time, as much as the boys. I think it is important to set expectations, with use of technology, in our classes/schools and ensure that students meet them, and provide many learning opportunities so everyone is gaining the necessary skills.-Danielle A fine comment. Perhaps we need to be focussing our awareness campaign at much earlier grades. Sounds like a perfect presentation for a primary convention, eh? Joanie Okay this is of great interest to me as I have two small girls, and I've spent much of the week thinking about it and watching my oldest who is 3. I have never questioned my computer abilities and I just sort of "get" how they work and I've never been afraid to go around clicking things and trying stuff out. But my personality is pretty fearless too and I suspect that has more to do with it than any great computer skills on my part (I never really let the steretypes apply to me, I kind of always just did my own thing). But I've been watching my daughter Chloe, and she has really no interest in anything technological, except the TV and DVD player. My briother bought her a V-Tech computer for christmas and she essentially played with it for two days and then got bored 9but the games are a little advanced for her, so maybe she'll come back to it when she's a bit older?) and she gotten various other tech related gifts and she just doesn't seem top care. She plas with ner "babies" and dresses up like a princess and dances like a ballerina (and it really drives me nuts!! I 'm sure she was switched at birth!) She is however very interested in taking digital pictures and using our digital video camera. Its strange for me because she sees me and her dad spend so much time on the computer. We've been encouraging her to go on it more and I found some good kid friendly sites, but she's still not as interested as i would like. So now I'm paranoid, should I be pushing a little harder or should I let her come to it on her own? AHH! I have the opposite situation than Christine...my daughters (4 and 7) both love the computer. In fact my 4 year old is almost addicted! I don't know yet if she wants to be on the computer to be like mommy or if she's just trying to get me OFF of it! Either way, when she is on it, I steer her towards the more educational sites (but Barbie.com does still tend to be her favorite!). As I was thinking about this topic, I can't help but think that getting girls (or even boys for that matter) more literate with ICT should be treated the same way we promote students to read while they are young! As most educators would agree, learning to read takes place mostly at home with their parents (as role models and guiding them). Why then shouldn't the development of technology skills and comfort levels not begin in the home as well? I guess that may be when another digital divide may "rear its ugly head"...it's easy for me to say as my husband has a computer science degree and well...you know where I've been spending all my time these days!!! Unfortunately, we may have too many parents that just can't support that kind of learning at home because they are dealing with their own "computer anxiety"! It's still a thought! I think I'm optimistic about girls and technology! I believe the divide will close...slowly! But I also believe that woman as a being, do not waver towards engineering and computer programming type jobs as it is not in their nature (they are not "wired" that way) to gravitate towards these "one way of thinking" type jobs. We are more holisitic thinkers and find more gratification in jobs and careers that require more of an empathetic and social outlet. Not to say that women shouldn't pursue technology degrees and careers but not for us to believe there is anything wrong if they don't!!! Let's face it, there aren't going to be many jobs out there where some form of technology isn't going to be mandatory! It's still an area that needs to be addressed...GO GIRL POWER! (Yikes, someone get me off my soapbox!) - Heather <span style="color: rgb(35, 1, 1);">Your idea about introducing ICT at an early age is something we were doing at my elementary school. We had a phenomenal female Gr. 1 teacher who would swap classes with anyone to offer their technology instruction. This lady was on our district IT "Swat Team", gave numerous workshops, set up our computer labs and was the "go to" person in our school. The results she achieved with our students was beyond belief. The primaries were so skilled with computers it was amazing - forget playing games. They were inserting images into word documents, creating animated slideshows <span style="color: rgb(30, 1, 1);">and creating presentations which incorporated their reading and language skills. She's the one who helped me get over my computer anxiety and single-handedly encouraged our staff to develop their technology skills. What a role model! -Joanie <span style="color: rgb(0, 128, 128);">This question reminds me about those early days when technology was the principle focus in my former school. The principal I worked with was an avid professional reader and forward thinker. I remember that he was very active in partnering with "Innovators in Schools," a Manitoba organization, that arranged for people in hi-tech businesses to collaborate with schools. The importance of empowering girls in science and math was already on his radar even back then... and he often arranged for Women in Science and Women in Engineering groups to come in and work with groups of students on various projects. Some of these sessions were "girls only" but there were also many mixed groups as well - I think he felt it was just as important for boys to see women in roles like engineering and science, as it was for the girls. In regards to technology, gender was never a consideration... it was just expected that everyone, staff and students, would learn how to use the computers productively. Another strategy he used was to book the computer lab for an afternoon and invite stay-at-home-moms to come to the school (with babysitting) and participate in a Computer 101 class which he taught himself! It was a great success because parents were learning firsthand what their kids were learning... and the added bonus, kids saw mom learning how to use the computer at school. -katkin <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 11);">Thanks for reminding me about the "Innovators in Schools" program Kathy. I remember working with a guest in that program! Programs to promote women in math, science and now technology have been around for a while and like Heather suggests - the need is still there. Thanks for mentioning the stay-at-home-moms program - Statscan research indicates the divide is greater for many of them! - Rhonda

//3. How can girls be encouraged to make career choices in Information Technology based on their strengths?//
Girls can be encouraged by providing them with opportunities to utilize computers for both educational and recreational purposes, as well as providing role models in this career field. - Sheila <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 11);">I think your suggestion for women role models in the career fields is a great idea. Those role models should appeal to the interests which would attract young women. After all how many young women can relate to Bill Gates? - Rhonda <span style="color: rgb(1, 0, 255);">I agree with Sheila about the Role Models.- Carol <span style="color: rgb(33, 140, 23);">**re: questions 2 & 3** - I was checking out Girls Building Information Technology Fluency Through Design at [] and wondered if this kind of program could be useful in other parts of the world. <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">yak17 (Chris) <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 52);">Excellent example of how research can inform practice - thanks Chris. - Rhonda <span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 128);">Chris, I just had a chance to check out this program, and I think that it is a great way to get girls to become computer savvy and comfortable. I believe the key to it being successful is that it seems to have, and emphasize the importance of, female role models. - Jes <span style="color: rgb(64, 64, 64);">Students work on their strengths when they have lots of opportunities and repeated successes. I think as teachers, we need to make sure we give our students, boys and girls, many opportunities to develop their strengths.-Danielle <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">I also think its important to show girls that careers in Information Technology are many and varied and involve everything from programing to creative design. Its not all dull and boring anymore and almost any strength a girl has can be translated into some kind of Info Tech job. I think making students aware that creativity in both thought and product is desirable in the world of Info Tech is a must. Christine :) <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 52);">Absolutely yes to all of the above! Cooper has also made a strong argument that girls attribute their success with computers to luck and their failures to their lack of ability - I wonder if this tendency is something teachers/librarians can reverse by careful feedback and assessments? Perhaps technology courses in senior high are one way for some girls to see that their grades are exceptional and prompt them to re-think their career choices ? - Rhonda <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 255);">With my little rant after the last question, I still believe it's important to show girls ALL the opportunities that are out there for them...in any field! There are some great programs that are out there already and I believe more should be made available! The University of Manitoba has a W.I.S.E. program (Woman in Science and Engineering) for young children, that promotes the fields of science and technology for all children but emulates and role-models the female in this workforce as they are a group of women that run class presentations on Science curriculum outcomes at all the grade levels and they also have mini- weekend camps and summer camps they run outside of school time! - Heather<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> I didn't know about this program Heather! Thanks - Rhonda <span style="color: rgb(0, 128, 128);">I also agree that we need to ensure that girls have strong role models to look to in regards to information technology... and who is better qualified than a savvy teacher librarian... female or male? We have the responsibility to empower all learners to develop these essential skills and new literacies... I'm remembering the reference that "teachers can actually produce the behavior in their students that they hold about them"... isn't that key to successful interactions with all students, regardless of gender? Last week, I had the opportunity to visit our "Arts and Tech" high school... what might have once been referred to as a "vocational high school" and the information technology skills required in all programs was mind-blowing! Web design students (both male and female) using commercial software to create graphics and logos for real local business clients, hair stylists (both male and female) using computer software to show clients what they might look like with a different hair colour or style before even lifting a pair of scissors... female mechanics using diagnostic software to decipher the problem with a car engine... culinary students (probably 50-50 male/female enrollment) searching out recipes and preparation techniques online... I am very encouraged to learn that these programs are also attracting a diverse group of students, with a variety of academic backgrounds and interests... especially when we read that the "best opportunities in technology go to a disproportional high percentage of men." Even if this high school doesn't represent the norm, according to research, it makes me feel hopeful that attitudes are changing and opportunities are opening up for more female students in all areas. After all, today, most of us need information technology skills in some capacity, no matter what we do. -katkin
 * 4. Today's students are described as Digital Natives because their generation have lived their entire lives immersed in a culture of digital technology. Share your impressions/reactions to the extent of girls' computer anxiety (as described by Cooper and others), given that these girls have grown up in a digital world.**

<span style="color: rgb(33, 140, 23);">I think many girls enjoy social sides of being digital natives – IM, texting, Facebook, and so on. I saw a female student this week on Google images looking for “hot 13-year-old boys” (her search term). I believe that the type of activities used in schools are often not aimed at females, and many females are turned away from technological issues (computer geekdom according to some people) at an early age.- yak17 <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 52);">It's funny you use the term "computer geekdom" - I asked a young adult woman who is obviously very skilled with computers why she didn't choose computer science or computer programming courses and she replied that she always thought it was too geeky. Girls do seem much more socially-aware and perhaps even anxious how they themselves are perceived socially. - Rhonda The anxiety issue is one that I have not witnessed in girls younger than 25 years of age, "digital natives". They have demonstrated occasional frustration with accessing information or utilizing certain programs but tend to exhibit a high level of skill and enjoyment when using computers.- Sheila <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 52);">My observations of students when I was in an elementary school are similar to yours - yet I've learned that less than 10% of the high level computer science and programming jobs are held by women here in Manitoba - AND that the percentage of women is decreasing instead of increasing. One attempt at intervention begins in the middle school years in my school division (all girls science and technology program in one of our public schools) - is this where interventions should begin? - Rhonda <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">I really didn't witness any computer anxiety amongst girls - what I did notice was an exuberant willingness of the boys to jump in to help. - Carol <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 52);">Thinking back to myself in high school I can attest that I was reticent to show my peers my interest/ease with math and science because I didn't want the others (girls or boys) to see me as a geek. Is this still the case, but now in terms of technology as well? - Rhonda

<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"> I think it was pretty standard to defer to boys in many areas back when I was a student. I remember thinking, "he knows more than me..." Even in University during my English degree - the young men in my Modern Poetry classes were much more ready to call themselves poets, whereas the women said they like to write poetry. On the flip side, Yann Martel and I had a conversation about gender with regards to his book, Self - he said that he witnessed a stronger sorority amongst the women he talked to as opposed to the men. The men would say, "I don't think like that," whereas women often said, "That's exactly how women think," or "That's not how women think". - Carol Great presentation on your Wiki, Joanie and Rhonda! I was really impressed that you contacted the author - and think it's wonderful that he answered so thoughtfully. - Carol Thanks, Carol. I was wondering about setting up a girl-only class and how others would perceive this and thought "Why not write and ask Cooper directly?" It was a great answer. - Joanie <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">I also haven't witnessed computer anxiety amongst the high school girls that I teach. They are certainly very excited/happy when they have a chance to participate in social messaging. Because they are so concerned with self-image they definitely don't want to be perceived as being computer "geeks," but they are not afraid to be seen as using a computer to further their learning. I agree with Carol, thanks for the interesting presentation. I was very unaware that this was still a part of the digital divide that educators need to be aware of. - Jes <span style="color: rgb(64, 64, 64);">I used to run a computer club in my last school and I had as many girls as boys in that class. I never noticed anxieties in those students, nor do I see that in my current Grade 1s There again, I think exposure, opportunities, successes and setting students up for success is important.-Danielle Both of my own children (boy and girl) are equally comfortable using computer technology. However, I asked my son how many girls are in his Grade 8 computer introductory course and there are only two girls. It would be interesting to see if most secondary computer courses have similarly skewed numbers. -Joanie <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Our computer lab is open at lunchtime and it is consistently filled to the brim with boys. The girls do tend to be more social in their use of tech, but I also find more practical. For them its a tool, not necessarily a game device, or a random search engine. Also the girls are the ones who have much more auxillary types of technology: iPods, iPhones, cell phones, Blackberries (I work in a pretty wealthy neighborhood!), and they tend to be more adept at using those types of technology to do what they need (look up something on google, send a message, check email, play a game, etc.). I have witnessed anxiety from girls more so than from boys, but it seems mostly associated with a lack of experience on computers, and usually by the end of the school year those girls are just as confident as their male counterparts.Christine :) <span style="color: rgb(0, 128, 128);"> I'm going to have to agree with those who haven't witnessed any unusual tendency towards computer anxiety among female students. Perhaps I just haven't been diligent in this area, especially since after reading the research, how discouraging it is to learn that fewer numbers of female students are choosing not to pursue studies in male-dominated fields such as computer science or computer programming. Of course, as Christine points out, it is also important to acknowledge that digital technology doesn't always mean "computers" and there are certainly many other technologies that female students use for both social reasons and productivity purposes. -katkin