Gender Differences in CMC: Findings and Implications

Publication

Starting with the early popularization of the Internet, and as recently as the mid-1990's, gender has been claimed to be invisible in text-based computer-mediated communication (CMC)-the absence of physical cues as to a message sender's identity was thought to remove all trace of information as to gender, race, social class, etc. from the message, making the medium inherently democratic and egalitarian. However, claims of widespread gender anonymity have not been supported by research on online interaction. In the present essay, I report on what has been found in a number of empirical studies

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Give girls a chance: building a bridge to science and technology

News

In Oakland, California, a team of teachers, professional men and women, and educators from the Chabot Space and Science Center are actively engaged in encouraging girls and young women in math, science, and technology. The Techbridge program provides hands-on opportunities for girls in elementary school through high school to explore these key areas and for teachers to participate in subject-specific professional-development opportunities.

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Freedom Machines

Publication

The Freedom Machines film, discussion guide, lesson plan, and resource guides are designed to dramatically broaden the concept of diversity for all students through telling the intimate stories of adults and children with disabilities who are using modern technologies to change their lives. Original Freedom Machines website

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A Learner-Centered Design Method for Educational Technology

Publication

This paper aims to share EDC’s learnings from developing and implementing this method including addressing issues of trust between youth and adult team members, appropriately acknowledging youth contributions, balancing the roles of mentors and adult design partners, and making dynamic curriculum adjustments based on participants learning styles and skill levels.

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Building Engagement With Technology-Enhanced Local Learning

Publication

Drawing on a multi-year research and development program, the authors report on the promise of integrating locally-focused student investigations with ubiquitous access to advanced technologies. By doing this, students are better able to see the relevance of STEM skills and knowledge as they work to improve their local communities. Specific program examples cited show the paradigm as it has been implemented with upper elementary and middle school students. Contrasting examples show challenges in implementation. A four-part framework of essential program elements is offered to guide further

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Women, Gender, and Science: New Directions

Publication

What do research on women in science and research on science and gender have to do with each other? This volume brings together prominent historians and philosophers of science to examine women's participation in science, gender and science, and the potential for interaction between these two pieces of a larger puzzle. The eleven chapters included here explore a number of interrelated topics: the experiences of individual women working in science; the demographic patterns of and support for women in specific fields; the gendered construction of scientific education and terminology; the impact

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Gender and Science Digital Library (GSDL)

Publication

The Gender & Science Digital Library (GSDL) is a cutting-edge, collaborative project between the Gender & Diversities Institute at Education Development Center, Inc (EDC) and the Eisenhower National Clearinghouse (ENC) at Ohio State University. It is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The NSF has established the National Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Digital Library program (NSDL) – a massive, international initiative which will result in a network of learning environments and resources for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education (STEM)

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Unlocking the Clubhouse: Women in Computing

Publication

Unlocking the Clubhouse: Women in Computing examines the gender gap in computer science. Women, by and large, are underrepresented in all segments of information technology, from enrollment in courses in high schools and colleges to the numerous employment opportunities associated with the discipline. Authors Jane Margolis and Allan Fisher detail the findings of over 100 interviews with computer science students at Carnegie Mellon University. These interviews, of both male and female students, document the various challenges faced by females pursuing career opportunities in computer science

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ASU program fosters interest for women, minorities

News

The National Science Foundation recently gave Tirupalavanam Ganesh, assistant dean for information systems at ASU’s Mary Lou Fulton College of Education, a $1 million grant to pilot the ITEST Learning through Engineering Design and Practice project at two junior high schools in the Mesa Unified School District. Ganesh and his team hope the students will get hooked on technology by using it in innovative and socially relevant ways, he said. Their

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Contest helps boost math, science skills

News

The Global Challenge, a Vermont-based contest and ITEST project aimed at improving American high school students' math and science skills, brings together 58 teams of American students coupled with students from China, India, and Japan to tackle technological solutions to global warming during the school year. Teams chat online, divide jobs based on skill, consult with advisers, and in the final grueling weeks, write a professional business plan.

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