Please post a summary to the article you read during the March 18th meeting.
We discussed girls in technology- please post an idea you have for encouraging more of your female students to get involved.
The article that I read was from Teen Vogue, and it had to do with Chelsea Clinton and her ideas on getting girls into technology fields. I think that the main point of the article was that girls don't even realize how much technology now plays a part in the things that they may already be interested in. For example, former "left-brain" professions in fashion and movies now have a large element of technology to them, and girls would definitely benefit from technology based classes in order to get ahead in these professions.
I think that one thing that we need to do to encourage girls is to let them know that their creative skills will actually be incredibly useful in the computer science field. In fact, I had a conversation with some girls today that have been helping me with some projects, including building furniture and doing crafts in the library. I mentioned to them that they should look into one of these fields and one of them told me that she was going to be on an Engineering track in high school. I told her that I thought it was perfect for her!
Another thing that the article mentioned was showing women in technology as role models. The article actually had a picture of Chelsea Clinton interviewing Kari Byron, a scientist on the show "Mythbusters." I definitely believe in showing that women can be successful in technology careers. For example, my friend Monica, who is a former DOE employee, now does technology consulting for schools full-time. Her blog, classtechtips.com is a place where she shares her expertise and as a woman, is showing how successful women can be in technology careers.
Victoria R., LESP I reviewed the article Getting Girls Interested in Computer Science. It gives tips on how to include girls in computing without excluding boys. The author’s suggestions are based on the understanding of psychological differences of genders. Some of the tips I believe are very valuable. For example, it might work if we invite girls to a computer class as a group. It is true, that girls like to join clubs and take classes with their friends. Another good suggestion is to have it in mind that girls need role models. We may give them information about women in computer science or invite women guest speakers. It is also true that girls collaborate more and compete less, so encouraging collaboration is another good idea. We can also show girls what computers can do for them because they see a computer as a tool, and not the toy.
I reviewed the article Girls in IT: The Facts Infographic from the National Center for Women and Information Technology. The article stated that girls are avid USERS of technology but are significantly underrepresented in the CREATION of technology. Furthermore, the article pointed out many alarming statistics like the fact that even though women earn 57% of all undergraduate degrees, only 18% of those degrees are in computer science.
I think that specifically targeting girls and educating them about the creative side of computer science, and not just the technical side, could be very helpful in closing the gender gap. I also think that targeting girls early is important...image is much more important as kids get older so reaching out to girls earlier could help foster a love of computer science as early as Kindergarten.
The article I read gave tips on how to encourage girls to pursue careers in the field of technology and computers. Among the suggestions was the need for our students to have role models. It would be a good idea to read about women that are succeeding in theses careers nowadays. I also believe and agree with the article in the need for information about how many different ways the student may follow within the world of computers and technology. Our students should see their computers, phones, etc. not only as things they use, but also as devices they can improve with knowledge and dedication.
My article, Should Kids Learn to Code in Grade School, written by Sheena Vaidyanathan was posted on the blog. It says that coding courses should be introduced to students as early as possible before any potential stereotypes are set. There is no need for implementing special girls-only programs for girls because boys and girls are equally interested in learning the computer language. The article also talks about computer programing courses being taught in two economically different school districts in California to elementary level students. Students in both districts were equally enthusiastic about learning the computer language and the ability to quickly grasp programming concepts was exactly the same high level. I agree that girls see the electronic devices more as tools than toys. We must educate them possibly with presenting them with new career choices that are available to them and break the stereotypes.
The article that I read was from Teen Vogue, and it had to do with Chelsea Clinton and her ideas on getting girls into technology fields. I think that the main point of the article was that girls don't even realize how much technology now plays a part in the things that they may already be interested in. For example, former "left-brain" professions in fashion and movies now have a large element of technology to them, and girls would definitely benefit from technology based classes in order to get ahead in these professions.
ReplyDeleteI think that one thing that we need to do to encourage girls is to let them know that their creative skills will actually be incredibly useful in the computer science field. In fact, I had a conversation with some girls today that have been helping me with some projects, including building furniture and doing crafts in the library. I mentioned to them that they should look into one of these fields and one of them told me that she was going to be on an Engineering track in high school. I told her that I thought it was perfect for her!
Another thing that the article mentioned was showing women in technology as role models. The article actually had a picture of Chelsea Clinton interviewing Kari Byron, a scientist on the show "Mythbusters." I definitely believe in showing that women can be successful in technology careers. For example, my friend Monica, who is a former DOE employee, now does technology consulting for schools full-time. Her blog, classtechtips.com is a place where she shares her expertise and as a woman, is showing how successful women can be in technology careers.
Victoria R., LESP
ReplyDeleteI reviewed the article Getting Girls Interested in Computer Science. It gives tips on how to include girls in computing without excluding boys. The author’s suggestions are based on the understanding of psychological differences of genders. Some of the tips I believe are very valuable. For example, it might work if we invite girls to a computer class as a group. It is true, that girls like to join clubs and take classes with their friends. Another good suggestion is to have it in mind that girls need role models. We may give them information about women in computer science or invite women guest speakers. It is also true that girls collaborate more and compete less, so encouraging collaboration is another good idea. We can also show girls what computers can do for them because they see a computer as a tool, and not the toy.
I reviewed the article Girls in IT: The Facts Infographic from the National Center for Women and Information Technology. The article stated that girls are avid USERS of technology but are significantly underrepresented in the CREATION of technology. Furthermore, the article pointed out many alarming statistics like the fact that even though women earn 57% of all undergraduate degrees, only 18% of those degrees are in computer science.
ReplyDeleteI think that specifically targeting girls and educating them about the creative side of computer science, and not just the technical side, could be very helpful in closing the gender gap. I also think that targeting girls early is important...image is much more important as kids get older so reaching out to girls earlier could help foster a love of computer science as early as Kindergarten.
Kelly Jeffcoat
The article I read gave tips on how to encourage girls to pursue careers in the field of technology and computers. Among the suggestions was the need for our students to have role models. It would be a good idea to read about women that are succeeding in theses careers nowadays. I also believe and agree with the article in the need for information about how many different ways the student may follow within the world of computers and technology.
ReplyDeleteOur students should see their computers, phones, etc. not only as things they use, but also as devices they can improve with knowledge and dedication.
My article, Should Kids Learn to Code in Grade School, written by Sheena Vaidyanathan was posted on the blog. It says that coding courses should be introduced to students as early as possible before any potential stereotypes are set. There is no need for implementing special girls-only programs for girls because boys and girls are equally interested in learning the computer language. The article also talks about computer programing courses being taught in two economically different school districts in California to elementary level students. Students in both districts were equally enthusiastic about learning the computer language and the ability to quickly grasp programming concepts was exactly the same high level.
ReplyDeleteI agree that girls see the electronic devices more as tools than toys. We must educate them possibly with presenting them with new career choices that are available to them and break the stereotypes.