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Gender & Computing

Discover why girls should study computer science and how we can address the underrepresentation of women in CS. Explore the benefits of a CS career, the unmet workforce needs, and the importance of gender and racial equity. Get free resources to inform others and learn how to attract more girls to CS.

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Gender & Computing

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  1. Gender & Computing Joanne McGrath Cohoon

  2. The Big Picture Reasons girls should study CS Reasons few of them do • What can we do about it? • Where can we get help?

  3. Why should girls study CS? • Flexible, creative, rewarding career • Pass this information to your colleagues, principals, parents, school boards • Unmet workforce need • Gender and racial equity • Enhanced innovation

  4. Great Career! 3/2010 BLS, CNNMoney, Payscale data from Focus

  5. Computing occupations are well paid Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

  6. Many Total Job Openings Predicted for 2018 Bachelor Level STEM Jobs due to Growth and Replacement

  7. Girls could help meet that need Workforce needs will go unmet

  8. Women also add racial diversity to CS 2008 Computer Science Bachelor Degrees n=7,059 women Source: NCWIT Scorecard Women and minorities would benefit from computing careers

  9. Innovation Benefits • Groups of diverse thinkers solve complex problems better and faster

  10. Free Resources to Help You Inform Others • Why schools should teach computer science • ACM materials for educators and policymakers • www.csedweek.org CSTA brochure for policymakerscsta.acm.org/About/sub/AboutFiles/CSTAPolicyBrochure.pdf Statistics about computing education and workforce in your areawww.ncwit.org/cseducation

  11. WHAT OTHER RESOURCES WOULD HELP YOU PERSUADE OTHERS OF COMPUTING’S IMPORTANCE?

  12. Few HS girls intend a computing major Calculated with data from the College Board Of major STEM fields, only CS female representation has gotten worse

  13. Low Participation in Advanced Computing Only 1% of AP exam-takers took a CS exam in 2009 Girls were a small portion of them

  14. Underutilized Talent

  15. More Info on Female Underrepresentation

  16. Why do few females pursue computing? • Stereotypes reduce confidence and interest • Educational policies allow choices influenced by stereotypes • Little support and encouragement • Lack of information • Unconscious bias

  17. Stereotypes reduce confidence and interest • Cultural belief in the disconnect between “feminine” and “technical” • “Girls don’t think that way” • Fear of confirming stereotypes about my group • Hinders performance • Affects choices and aspirations • Set harsh standards and opt out if we don’t meet them • Overcome negative consequences of stereotypes • Foster belief in the elasticity of intellectual ability

  18. Policies steer girls away • Choice based on stereotypes • Countries with strong belief in gender differences and weak STEM requirements have relatively fewer women in computing than in other fields • Restricted choices • Real CS rarely offered • Competes with electives

  19. Support and encouragement are lacking Cheering works! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gQ84-vWNGU

  20. Lack of information abounds • Few students, parents, or teachers (people) know what computer scientists do • Too many sources misinform For some good CS career information, see cs.washington.edu/education/ugrad/prospective For a list of computing career resources, see http://www.ncwit.org/resources.careers.it.html

  21. Unconscious bias can steer girls away Generalizations are useful mental shortcuts everyone uses We all use them unconsciously But they can mislead us More tomorrow night on this topic

  22. Research-based resources give ideas/evidence For more information on research findings, research-based practices, and examples of successful interventions, see NCWIT resources

  23. Girls studied computing when they had • Early, positive experiences with computing • Adult encouragement • Positive female role models • Information about what computing professionals actually do

  24. Improve the situation by recruiting • Students & their influencers • Messages that persuade • More on this topic tomorrow

  25. Brainstorm • What other resources would support your efforts to attract more girls and other underrepresented students to CS? • What will you do to promote your CS courses?

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