Abstract
In this study, I used interpretive methods in an open-ended computer environment to study and explain gender diversity in middle school computer classrooms. Through observations and a series of focus groups, I found that adolescent boys and girls view and use computers differently. Each gender seems to accept this as a natural part of their culture, and, in general, are accepting of each other’s visions and uses. Turkle and Papert called for a new social construction of the computer to contribute to our understanding of the ways males and females think about and use computers. This paper answers that call. It breaks ground for future studies to create, and simultaneously study, computer cultures which honour female and male ways of knowing and which allow the research community to begin to break down gender stereotypes and the idea of one privileged — usually male — way of thinking about computers.
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Christie, A.A. (2002). Perceptions and Uses of Technology among Adolescent Boys and Girls. In: Watson, D., Andersen, J. (eds) Networking the Learner. WCCE 2001. IFIP — The International Federation for Information Processing, vol 89. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-35596-2_26
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-35596-2_26
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