Teens Girls and Technology: What's the Problem, What's the Solution? - Hardcover

Farmer, Lesley

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0807748765 ISBN 13: 9780807748763

Publisher: Teachers College Press, 2008

Synopsis

How do we kick-start girls’ involvement with technology? In this dynamic book, Lesley Farmer provides a framework that teachers, librarians, youth workers, and parents can use to empower girls to succeed in today’s technology-rich world. Farmer first examines the disconnect many girls have with technology and then shows adults what they can do to change the current environment.

Drawing on the work of experts in psychology, sociology, technology, and education, the book highlights school and after-school programs that have instilled confidence in teen girls and, as a result, increased their interest in technology-based careers. It also describes fun learning activities designed specifically for girls that are based on their developmental needs and interests. Activity topics include…

• Entertainment
• Education
• Fashion and beauty
• Animals and environment
• Healthcare
• Law
• Sports and fitness
• Business/self-employment
• Art and design
• Writing

About this title

About the Author

Lesley Farmer is a professor at California State University, Long Beach, where she coordinates the Librarianship Program.

Reviews

The first part of this book details the role that technology plays in girls' social and academic lives. Farmer also makes the case that those who don't become involved with technology are disadvantaged in life, and society does not benefit from their full potential. The second section of the book focuses on the research and the realities of technology and gender-related issues. The author makes her case that schools, communities, and families need to pay particular attention to why so many females are shying away from technology-heavy fields of study and careers. She states that it is societal attitudes and pressures that send mixed messages to young women. Finally, she provides technology-enhanced learning activities broken into in-school activities, community-based initiatives, and family-based activities. This section is the book's real value. It contains many suggestions on how to get girls interested in using and possibly exploring a career in technology. While the research is thorough, it is presented without any illustrative material to highlight points of interest, making the text somewhat dense and dry. Strong emphasis on curriculum and school-related issues makes this most useful for schools, but larger libraries and systems will also want to consider it.–Renee McGrath, Nassau Library System, Uniondale, NY
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Edition details

• Publisher: Teachers College Press
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0807748765
• ISBN 13: 9780807748763
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 192