Digital divas
Subtitle: putting the wow into computing for girls
By: Julie Fisher, Catherine Lang, Annemieke Craig and Helen Forgasz with Amber McLeod
Contributors: Lang, Catherine (Educator), author; Craig, Annemieke, author; Forgasz, Helen, author; McLeod, Amber, author
Published: 2016
Language: eng
Number of pages: 197
ISBN-13: 9781922235862
Copyright date: 2016
Subjects: Study and teaching (Secondary); Computers and women; Women in information science; Digital Divas (Program); Women in computer science; Computers; Information technology
Description: The geek is male. Or so it seems. As is well documented, there is a distinct under-representation of girls studying computing at high school level and, correspondingly, going on to have careers in IT. To address this problem in 2007 the authors of this book, with backgrounds in secondary teaching or IT, trialled a new and revolutionary program in schools. The Digital Divas program, based on the idea that it was possible to change girls' perceptions of IT careers with educationally sound materials that tapped into their interests and were delivered in all-girl classes within the school curriculum, was a great success. In this book the authors recount what they did and how they did it and reflect on the significance of this program, which has indisputably led to an increased self-sufficiency with IT amongst girls, challenged stereotypical understandings of IT as a male activity, and increased the pursuit of IT careers by young women.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (pages 183-193) and index.