[Yr7-10it] RE: A Girls in computing group...

Sun Mar 23 15:44:28 EST 2008

Hi Andrew and Rachelle, and thanks for the feedback on this one...
I wonder how many other male IT teachers have asked the same question as me(but not perhaps as openly). 
I agree with your points Rachelle 100% about the design and what I (kinda chauvenistically) refer to as the 'girly' stuff...designing and some fancy graphical type of stuff. Please, dont misuderstand me here, I openly encourage my female students when we do this stuff, usually on Photoshop or similar packages. My experience suggests that when it comes to the structures of code, the boys tend to be stronger, when it comes to the design stuff..its the girls in front!
I agree to a point with you too Andrew, but lets not forget that IT at the VCE level is much wider than just the programming stuff(I personally hate the database stuff, it bores me and  getting queries to work frustrates me no end). To some extent  I am trying to build computing that I teach to offer the programming stuff but, its a hell of a learning curve for me with what has to be covered in the SD stream!  I am pushing the programming at lower and middle school level here as it wasnt here before me so its new to the kids, so naturally they find parts of it hard(some tolerant, some are not!), but the gaming and similar is where they 'pick up'. 

Keep in mind, these are country kids who love getting outside and, I am competing with a strong Outdoor Ed and Physed Dept here...really strong! (I sometimes think I know why my predecessors stayed about 2-3yrs then left...but I dont give in that easy, and this is year 2 here for me)

What if I just started with a small number doing graphics stuff and chatting about what 'they' like?  Where better to find out than actually asking them(the girls)? 
My plan is to start it a bit like a girls only session at one lunchtime. There is another female on staff who is fluent in photoshop, but in reality, the kids reckon she's a bit of a tyrant(far too strict with them)(thats not the actual term they used but this is a public forum!!!). I am a self confessed bit of a joker in class and they feel more comfortable with me - so they say!
In reality, I want to do this without that female staffer as its my concept and I wish to develop it. Another idea I had at school got 'stolen'(actually it was professionally hijacked!) and I dont want to have that happen twice!(thats why I hate 'friendship' groups or 'cliks' at work...people backstab you if your not 'in'...and yes I have mentioned it to my boss)

Oh, I havent used Web 2.0 so have no idea what that's about(unless I have and just didnt know it!).

To others reading this thread, please keep the ideas and suggestions coming in, I am interested to know whats out there and who's doing it!

Lets see now...
Graphics, Designing stuff, Creative websites...other suggestions, what about rewards? 
Maybe starting with simple design tools like word art? It has uses at  VCE for diagrams, charts..etc.

Just had a thought(a light bulb moment!) ....Does anyone know of any ladies out there who work in IT areas that do presentations to schools on computing careers, with a 'bent' on pathways for females in IT?  If you do know someone, get 'em to email me quick as!

Cheers (Hic!)

Kent.

Kent Beveridge,
I.T. co-ordinator
St. Brigids Catholic Sec. College
Horsham
email.. kbeveridge at stbc.vic.edu.au

|<3|\|7  b3\/3r1D93 ?  ;-)

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From: yr7-10it-bounces at edulists.com.au on behalf of andrew barry
Sent: Sun 3/23/2008 1:44 PM
To: Year 7 - 10 Information Technology Teachers' Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Yr7-10it] RE: A Girls in computing group...

The problem is that computers at VCE level require more than that and it comes down to developing/programming.
This is a big problem everywhere i have seen with too few girls in IT.

On Sun, Mar 23, 2008 at 12:20 PM, Mclean, Rachelle L <Mclean.Rachelle.L at edumail.vic.gov.au> wrote:

	Hi Kent,

	On an introductory level, girls love to design things, make things look pretty.  They love anything social so web 2.0 tools are great.  Event management seems to go down well too, like planning their 16th birthday parties and things.  They love digital photography as well.  Once they are engaged I have found girls love animation, film making and game making as much as the boys do.

	Cheers,

	Rachelle

________________________________

	From: yr7-10it-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:yr7-10it-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of Kent Beveridge
	Sent: Friday, 21 March 2008 4:26 PM
	To: Year 7 - 10 Information Technology Teachers' Mailing List
	Subject: A Girls in computing group...

	Hi folks, 

	yep, me again...

	Now, I was thinking this week about a few things for my middle school classes and had this idea that I got from remembering that Margaret Lawson(I think it was you) who did a similar thing previously at one of her schools(I think it was when she was at MLC from memory).

	Anyway,...If others have got a similar concept up and running in a co-ed school as mine is, I'd love some ideas to get me started of what works..and what doesnt!

	Being a non-married male, I dont have a wife to get ideas from on this one, so any of you gals out there who teach IT and have done this, can you help this bloke out with some tips! (on the 'girls in computing' group that is...but I am open to ideas on the other obvious one too - always!).

	Just wondering where to start with this one...too many options...careers, gaming, programming, working with computers in the office...etc.

	I can confidently tell you that my principal will support this idea...he's just that kinda guy!

	Kent.

	Kent Beveridge,

	I.T. co-ordinator

	St. Brigids Catholic Sec. College

	Horsham

	email.. kbeveridge at stbc.vic.edu.au

	|<3|\|7  b3\/3r1D93 ?  ;-)

	Wishes and Eggs, one you make and one you break!  A bit like promises.....

	"This email and any attachments may be confidential.  You must not disclose or use the information in this email if you are not the intended recipient.  If you have received this email in error, please notify us immediately and delete the email and all copies.  The School does not guarantee that this email is virus or error free.  The attached files are provided and my only be used on the basis that the user assumes all responsibility for any loss, damage or consequence resulting directly or indirectly from the use of the attached files, whether caused by the negligence of the sender or not.  The content and opinions in this email are not necessarily those of the School."

________________________________

	From: yr7-10it-bounces at edulists.com.au on behalf of Sylvia Pastore-Bautista
	Sent: Fri 3/21/2008 2:46 PM
	To: yr7-10it at edulists.com.au
	Subject: [Yr7-10it] Clay Mation

	Hi all

	I am wanting to introduce clay mation to my students and would like 
	any advise from anyone that has done this and how you actually do it 
	thanks

	Sylvia Pastore-Bautista

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