Learning Resources - Diversity 5.01 5.01 Gender Differences. Describe common differences in the way male and female students approach and react to computer-based technologies. Introduction Recently, I listened to a parent's concerns with her daughter's work in school. "At home my daughter will spend hours on the Internet. She looks for Web sites on her hobbies and chats with friends. Using my CAD program, she even has created a version of our family's next house. Of course, her room is the largest! But her teacher says she does not express interest in using the computer while in school." As a technology specialist, how would you react to this parent's concerns? Would your reaction be based in current gender research or an educated guess? Who is responsible for the equitable use of educational technology? Read the following resources and respond to this competency. Prepare yourself to educate parents, teachers, and staff on gender differences and be able to create learning environments conducive to the equitable use of technology. Your Job: Use the details provided below to create a product that addresses and demonstrates mastery of this competency. Use the stepwise process listed under Your Portfolio to display the completed product in your ITSC portfolio. Product Details: Describe common differences in the way male and female students approach and react to computer-based technologies. Within your discussion cite research as a foundation for the points that you make. Identify specific computer-based technologies and discuss related gender differences that are supported by research. Your Portfolio: FTP your completed product for this competency to the "5divers" folder within the web-based portfolio template provided. Click here to view the "Design" page in the portfolio template. Download the "Design" page from your ftp folder. Locate 5.01 Gender Differences on the "Design" page. Under "5.01 Gender Differences" locate this sentence..."To view the evidence that I offer for this competency, please click here." Link the word "here" to your product. Delete the old "Design" page in your ftp folder. Upload your revised "Design" page. Submit the URL for your completed product in the student database. Related Resources: Beauty and the Geeks Type of resource: Web site Source: http://womensissues.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.salon.com%2F21st%2Ffeature%2F1999%2F03%2Fcov_11feature.html Description: Female Technology executives face choices about their sex appeal. Does it still make a difference in Silicon Valley? Gender Bias in Education and Technology Type of Resource: Web Site Source: http://www.siu.edu/~econ/papers/2004no05_dowry.pdf Description: An analysis of Gender Bias in enrollment. A paper written by grad students at Southern Illinois University Gender Equity Battle in Education and Technology Type of Resource: Web Site Source: http://tiger.towson.edu/users/rhoyle2/researchpaper.htm#Intro Description: A paper dealing with Gender Bias in education. How it exists and carried over into daily educational life. The Push to Push Women Higher Type of Resource: Web Site Source: http://www.wired.com/news/women/0,1540,44519,00.html Description: Articles and links on women in technology. The whys and why nots. Leadership in Instructional Technology. Mathew M. Mauer & George S. Davidson. Type of resource: Book (hard copy) Source: Upper Saddle River, N.J. Merrill, c1998. Description: Constructivist and developmentally appropriate learning theories are the underpinnings of this engaging book. After reading this book, principals, teachers, and technology specialists cannot help but to view teaching and technology in a new light. Issues covered: planning, funding, leadership, staff development, shared goals, censorship, and software evaluation. Computer Classes Aren't Just for Boys Anymore Type of resource: Web site Source: http://www.edweek.org/ew/vol-17/19girls.h17 Description: Computer courses tailored specifically to girls are popping up in public schools across the country. The teachers behind the programs share a concern that girls could miss out on educational and career opportunities if they aren't encouraged to master the dominant workplace technology. GirlTECH - Getting Girls Interested in Computers Type of resource: Web site Source: http://math.rice.edu/~lanius/club/girls.html Description: Cynthia Lanius is a Master Teacher, Manager of K-12 Education for the Center for Research on Parallel Computation (CRPC), and Director of GirlTECH. Cynthia is involved in making teachers aware of the underrepresentation of women in computer science and training teachers to use the Internet effectively in their classrooms. Cynthia Lanius's Home Page provides statistics on women's use of technology, ten tips for getting girls interested in computers, and links to women and girls in technology. Gender Issues in Information Technology as Found in Schools: Authentic/Synthetic/Fantastic? Kirk, David. Type of resource: Article (hard copy) Source: Source: Educational Technology; v32 n4 p28-35 Apr 1992. Description: Presents a review of multiple perspectives on the issue of gender and technology based on a review of the literature. Highlights include prior exposure to computers; access to home computers; influences from the socialization process, including sex stereotypes; and differences in learning processes, including innate perceptual differences. The Computer Gender Gap: Children's Attitudes, Performance and Socialization. Nelson, Carole S.; Watson, J. Allen. Type of resource: Article (hard copy) Source: Source: Journal of Educational Technology Systems; v19 n4 p345-53 1990-91. Description: An excellent review of research studies on gender differences in computer-based education that revealed significant discrepancies between equality of access and performance outcomes for female and male users. Highlights include the proposed future of education and technology; math anxiety; influence of family; gender bias in software; and influence of teachers. Computers and Gender Differences: Achieving Equity. Bohlin, Roy N. Type of resource: Article (hard copy) Source: Source: Computers in the Schools; v9 n2-3 p155-66 1993. Description: Discusses gender differences in the use of computers and the need to achieve greater computer equity. Highlights include curriculum and staff development issues; instructional techniques to encourage computer equity; and a new model of instructional design based on Keller's Attention, Relevance, Confidence, Satisfaction (ARCS) model that addresses computer equity. Educational leadership and planning for technology. Anthony G. Picciano. 2nd. ed. Type of resource: Book (hard copy) Source: Merrill/Prentice-Hall, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ. 1994 Description: Chapter 10 discusses the issues involved with educational technology staff development. Chapter 3 discusses equity (gender/diversity) issues related to technology. Chapter 8 and 9 discuss hardware and software planning, selection, and evaluation respectively. The Computer Gender Gap: Children's Attitudes, Performance, and Socialization. Spotlight: Gender Differences. Nelson, Carole S.; Watson, J. Allen. Type of resource: Article (hard copy) Source: Source: Montessori Life; v7 n4 p33-35 Fall 1995. Description: Discusses the significant, historically-rooted gender differences in equality of computer access and performance outcomes. Identifies issues to be dealt with to assure a future in which girls will succeed in technology-based education. Suggests research issues and discusses the mathematical component of computing, influence of family, gender bias in software, and influence of the teacher. Gender-Based Differences In Attitudes Toward Computers. Liliy Shahaani. Type of resource: Article (hard copy) Source: Source: Computers in Education. V20. n2. p169-81 March 1993. Description: Describes a study that was conducted to examine differences in attitudes towards computers among high school students. Highlights include sex role behavior. [Competencies Home Page] [ITSC Home Page]