Digital Divas: Putting the Wow into Computing for Girls (Education) - Softcover

Fisher, Julie; Lang, Catherine; Craig, Annemieke; Forgasz, Helen

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1922235865 ISBN 13: 9781922235862

Publisher: Monash University Publishing, 2016

Synopsis

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: ‘Digital Divas’. 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 that were delivered in all-girl classes within the school curriculum, the Digital Divas program was a great success. In Digital Divas: Putting the Wow into Computing for Girls, Fischer, Lang, Craig and Forgasz 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 stereotyped understandings of IT as a male activity, and increased the pursuit of IT careers by young women.

About this title

About the Author

Amber McLeod is an Assistant Lecturer in Education at Monash University. She has a BSc in Applied Biology at RMIT and worked as a microbiologist before completing a Diploma of Education at La Trobe University and a Masters in Linguistics at Monash University. Amber was awarded a PhD scholarship as part of the Digital Divas project. Her PhD thesis examined the relationship between community attitudes to ICT and the outcomes of the Digital Divas Intervention Project. Amber is also interested in cross-cultural understandings of ICT.

Edition details

• Publisher: Monash University Publishing
• Publication date: 2016
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1922235865
• ISBN 13: 9781922235862
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 200