For example, girls receive less encouragement to pursue courses in the maths and sciences, which later prevents access to these disciplines. Gendered toys and computer games, negative industry stereotypes, and a lack of role models for girls also contribute. Clearly, the problem warrants further investigation alongside these continuing efforts to actively recruit girls and address systemic issues. They believe that a dimension of the issue seldom addressed is related to the very way that information technology is conceptualized, in other words, they have identified a need to examine exactly what IT is and whom IT includes. Key to the successful implementation of systems is the ability to understand the business objectives and user needs as well as the technology.
Content development requires visual design skills.
Knowledge management requires an understanding of how to organize and use information. In contrast, disciplines such as information technology management, communications, multimedia, library science, all highly relevant to the development and implementation of information systems, are seldom included or are undervalued. These are all the questions that Cukier and Devine intend to pursue in the next phase of their research. In the meantime, Ryerson University is working hard to be part of the solution. It recently launched the new School of Information Technology Management and aims to offer a well-rounded curriculum to meet the changing industry demands.