[AISWorld] [AJIS] New Article: Computing, Girls and Education: What we need to know to change how girls think about information technology.

[Ajis Editor]

Hi,

The *Australasian Journal of In*formation Systems has just published its
latest article.



*Computing, Girls and Education: What we need to know to change how girls
think about information technology. Lang, C., Fisher, J., Craig, A., &
Forgasz, H. *
*https://doi.org/10.3127/ajis.v24i0.1783
<https://doi.org/10.3127/ajis.v24i0.1783>*

*Abstract*
Despite significant efforts and many intervention programs over the years
to encourage girls to study computing, we continue to see a declining
interest. Girls’ lack of engagement with technology at school is resulting
in fewer women entering the Information Technology (IT) workforce. Our
research investigated whether a long-term intervention program with a
specifically designed school-based curriculum could change girls’ minds
about computing generally and increase their confidence and interest in an
IT career. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected from girls and
teachers before, during, and after this program was implemented. A
conceptual model of the school-based influences on girls’ attitude was
developed from the literature and used to explore the data. Findings from
this four-year project added rich insights and resulted in a comprehensive
model of ‘Factors that Influence Girls’ Attitude to IT.’  This research
demonstrates that a carefully designed IT curriculum, delivered in
single-sex classes, reinforced by opportunities to interact with role
models, and timetabled in regular class time, can and does change girls’
attitudes to IT. We also found that the students reported improved
confidence and increased interest in IT. We posit that our refined model of
‘Factors that Influence Girls’ Attitude to IT’ is a valuable reference
tool. Teachers, academics and professionals who are implementing programs
to promote IT to girls can use it.

*Keywords*: intervention programs, gender and IT, education, curriculum
design, computing and girls

-=-=-=-

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Cheers
Associate Professor John Lamp
Editor-in-Chief, Australasian Journal of Information Systems
http://journal.acs.org.au/index.php/ajis/