2. What does all this mean!?! “In a workshop, it was noted that girls sat at the edges of the room and away from equipment, waiting for boys to finish. Overall, characterized the situation in the workshop as one of female deference, reflecting a typical role, that of fulfilling other people’s needs as more important than rewarding one’s own desires.” ~Dixon, 1998.

3. Bridging the Technological Gender Gap Monthly In-Service Topic October 14, 2002 By: Molly, Sara, & Megan

4. An Overview of Today’s Discussion What is the technological gender gap? Where and how did these differences arise from Where we stand now in bridging this gap What you can do as a teacher to see that the gender gap is overcome

5. What is the technological gender gap? Let’s start with Gender Gender: a social relation constituted between people: where gender is identified as feminine or masculine And Technology Technology: a manner of accomplishing a task especially using technical processes, methods, or knowledge Technological Gender Gap: the large difference in knowledge and skills surrounding technical application, based upon gender

6. Where can we see this gap? Studies show that boys generally have a more positive attitude towards computers Cultural bias that technology is a “male” domain Boys tend to enjoy playing games and experimenting, while girls use computers more goal-oriented Relatively few women enter higher education to study in science, engineering, and technology

7. Where can we see this gap? (cont’d) Studies find that girls rate themselves lower than do boys with the usage of computers Early socialization disposes girls and boys to different perceptions of science and technology Home computing was targeted at boys and male hobbyists while the users of machines in the office remained low-paid women

8. Where we stand now in this challenge After more than 30 years, we are in a stronger position to assess the role of education in computing Girls have now moved into a situation where they outperform boys in the majority of subjects Computing has now become more open-ended In recent studies, girls all identified themselves as competent users of the computer

9. Six key factors that effect the technological gender gap… Early socialization Primal Teachers as change agents Option choice processes Guidance and careers advice Work experience

10. How YOU Can Help! Dismiss gender roles in small children Keep all this information in your mind when implementing technology into your classroom Implement the six factors to the most positive extent possible

11. Sources Roger, A. & Duffield, J. (2000, September). Factors underlying persistent gendered option choices in school science and technology in Scotland. Gender and Education, 12, 367-383. Green, M.Y. (2000, November). Why aren’t girls more tech savvy? NEA Today, 19, 31. Henwood, F. & Miller, K. (2001). Boxed in or coming out? On the treatment of science, technology and gender in educational research. Gender and Education, 13, 237- 242.

12. Sources (cont’d) Stepulevage, Linda. (2001, September). Gender/Technology Relations: Complicating the Gender Binary. Gender and Education, 13, 325-338. Clegg, Sue. (2001, September). Theorizing the Machine: Gender, Education and Computing. Gender and Education, 13, 307-324. Butler, Deborah. (2000, March-April). Gender, Girls, and Computer Technology: What’s the Status Now? Clearing House, 73, 225-229.