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We
can all start to tackle this issue at home - in our
own classrooms and schools. Below are some practical
tips from Libby Black and Len Scrogan, district technology
specialists, to support girls in their use of technology.
- Provide
opportunities for kids to use the computers for
collaboration, building relationships, community
service, research and art work. These activities
tend to have more appeal for girls.
- Introduce
girls to web sites designed to engage young females
(try www.techgirls.com and www.girlgeeks.com).
- Organize
computer use so it's not first come, first served.
Orchestrate student access so everyone has a chance
to use the computers.
- Be
observant. What are the use patterns in your classroom
or school? Can you facilitate change in these patterns?
- Talk
to your students about how or why they do or do
not like to use the computer.
- Model
the use of technology for a variety of purposes.
- Encourage
teachers, including the women in your building to
model technology use.
- When
students are paired up to use computers, consider
pairing girls with girls.
- Consider
"girls only" and "boys only" after-school computer
clubs.
- If
you are doing math or science activities on computers
and half of the students are using the computers
at a time, consider having all the girls work at
one time and all the boys work at one time. This
may give the children more freedom to use the software
the way they choose.
- In
secondary schools, make sure course titles reflect
what a student does in the class, not just what
they are using (computers).
Libby Black and Len Scrogen
Libby Black is the Internet Director for the Boulder
Valley School District. Len Scrogen in Educational Technology
specialist. For more information, see Gray
Matters Newsletters.
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