Gender Research Part Three

The article "Why girls need to switch onto computing" by Hilary Wilce on January 12, 2006 offers some interesting ideas that another countries is attempting to draw women to computing careers.

Some British schools have after school clubs to get girls interested in IT. The managing director at T-Mobile says jobs are growing in the industry and only 20 percent of the workforce is female. He says the image is that geeky, long-haired boys play war games -- that is what IT is all about.

Other companies like British Airways, IBM, Ford and Cisco are trying to get girls interested in computing. Schools, companies are donating time and advice along with software for Computer Clubs for girls. Otherwise known as CC4G.

A pilot started in southeast England in 2002. It was for girls aged 9 to 13. Girls were using Photoshop, MS Powerpoint, MX Excel and gaining confidence when using computers.
So far 1,054 schools are registered, and some of them have 80 to 90 girls signed up to their clubs. The clubs are free.

Here are ideas as to what they are learning:

Celebrity projects: where girls run an interview, and advertise and promote a rock concert
Sound projects: mixing, create a sound script for a drama, and compose jingles
Fashion projects: plan and promote a fashion show, catologue fashion
Dance projects: create dance moves, and plan and create disco lighting
Sports projects: promote sports teams, plan a school sports event
Design projects: design a new bedroom, etc.

http://education.independent.co.uk/schools/article337935.ece