You are here:

Preparing Teachers and Counselors to Help Under-Represented Populations
Article

, , , The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, United States

Journal of Technology and Teacher Education Volume 15, Number 1, ISSN 1059-7069 Publisher: Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education, Waynesville, NC USA

Full Text

Abstract

In the US and many other industrialized nations, far fewer females and minorities enter Information Technology (IT) fields than do males and majority populations. Research has revealed that unsupportive educational environments reinforced by obstructive societal norms and expectations have often contributed to the lack of interest and involvement of these populations in IT. To address these problems, researchers and faculty at a large university in southeastern US conducted a Diversity in Information Technology Institute (DITI) Workshop—a 5-day workshop designed to demonstrate that blending diversity and technology training for middle school teachers and guidance counselors can increase the interest of young students, particularly women and minorities, in IT. The workshop was designed based on the belief that teachers and counselors can be proponents for equal opportunity and treatment in IT, expose students to various uses and applications of IT skills, and provide IT instruction and guidance that crosses the barriers of gender and ethnicity. Quantitative and qualitative data collected during the workshop revealed that workshop participants enhanced their understanding of the range of career opportunities in IT, became aware of obstacles hindering gender and ethnic diversity in IT, acquired skills and knowledge that increased their professional competence toward helping young people enter the IT field, felt prepared to implement action plans to enhance gender and ethnic diversity in their schools, and appreciated the many useful resources (posters, websites, and fieldtrip ideas) offered to them during the workshop. The purpose of this article is to evaluate and describe the components of the workshop that led to its success and to present a model for possible replication at other institutions.

Citation

Nicholson, K., Hancock, D. & Dahlberg, T. (2007). Preparing Teachers and Counselors to Help Under-Represented Populations. Journal of Technology and Teacher Education, 15(1), 123-143. Waynesville, NC USA: Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education. Retrieved December 1, 2022 from .

© 2007 Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education

Keywords

References

View References & Citations Map
  1. International Technology Education Association. (2005). Where the women are: Research findings on gender issues in technology education. Reston, VA: Author.
  2. Maclnnis , P. (2003). The gender gap. Computing Canada, 29(11) , 26. Margolis, J. , & Fisher, A. (2002). Unlocking the clubhouse. Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press.
  3. National Science Foundation. (2004). Http: / /www.nsf.gov /sbe /srs /wmpd / list.h tm#emp loy_ t
  4. Pollina , A . (1995) . Gender balance: Lessons from gir ls in science . Educational Leadership , 53 (1), 30.
  5. Quan , M . (2003) . Wan ted : More women and m inor i ty eng ineers—Two professional groups team in effort to reach out to the underrepresented .
  6. Radcliffe, D. (1999). Champions of women in technology. Computerworld, 33(3) , 46-50.
  7. Raths, D. (1999). Ensuring IT’s future. InfoWorld , 21 (7) , 111-113.
  8. Woodka , D. (2001). It’s a girl thing. Network Computing, 12(16) , 31.

These references have been extracted automatically and may have some errors. Signed in users can suggest corrections to these mistakes.

Suggest Corrections to References

Cited By

View References & Citations Map

  • Bridging the Divide: Five Teaching Approaches to Encourage Female Participation in IT

    Lorraine Beaudin, University of Lethbridge, Canada; Dania Hill, Vice Principal, Ecole Mountview School, Canada; Rachel Elliot, Teacher, Calgary Board of Education, Canada; Christina Tuttle, AISI Learning Leader, Calgary Board of Education, Canada

    E-Learn: World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education 2011 (Oct 18, 2011) pp. 1042–1048

These links are based on references which have been extracted automatically and may have some errors. If you see a mistake, please contact info@learntechlib.org.