The issues of technology integration in the classroom may be especially important with respect to girls. Research has found - and observation bears out - that girls are often just not as interested in technology as boys are. But some feel that this is the way in which technology is used and the environments in which it is used are often not girl friendly. Rather than trying to make girls fit into the current technology mold, as has often been the case, some researchers suggest creating a new mold for technology integration that fits girls better.


The good news is that with some thought and effort, teachers can find means and uses for technology that appeal to girls. In The Internet in Action, Paulette Dukerich's robotics class shows girls enthusiastically involved in using technology creatively and collaboratively. Paulette has found that a girls only environment may be one of the keys bringing girls to the forefront of technology use.

QuickTime Required Paulette Dukerich  IF THE CLASS HAD BOYS IN IT, THE GIRLS WOULD BE VERY QUIET. THEY WOULD SIT BACK AND LET THE BOYS TAKE OVER. WHEN THE GIRLS ARE WORKING TOGETHER, THERE ISN'T THAT PRESSURE, THEY'RE NOT SHOWING OFF FOR THE BOYS AND THEY'RE NOT AFRAID TO BE WRONG IN FRONT OF EACH OTHER. THEY WORK WITH A PARTNER IN HERE, AND THEY LIKE TO SHARE IDEAS BACK AND FORTH.

The girls in Dukerich's robotics class use a variety of technological media, from making their initial designs with a CAD program to recording the finished products with QuickTime movies. You can read more about Paulette's girls' robot project at http://schoolscience.rice.edu/duker/robots/robotabout.html

For more information about gender gaps in technology education in general, and a summary of the AAUW commissioned report, visit the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Web site at http://www.aauw.org

Search the Web for many more resources on girls and technology. Sites below have sections directed toward educators and have a wealth of information and resources for implementing girl-friendly technology.

Girl Tech
http://www.girltech.com

Girls Count
http://www.etdc.wednet.edu/equity/tools/126.html

For specific and pithy tips for teacher of girls using technology, go to the National Council for Girls' Schools Web pages at http://www.ncgs.org/Pages/scitek1.htm