The Impact of Technology on the Lives of Women and Girls

Slide 1: The Impact of Technology on the Lives of Women and Girls Presented by Shireen Mitchell Executive Officer, Digital Sisters

Slide 2: Unequal Learning Field "It used to be that no one entered college with any knowledge of computers so everyone was on an equal footing. Now boys have more hands-on experience and women know it." - Ellen Spertus

Slide 3: Digital Sisters who are they?  Executive Director  New York City Projects  School, Arcades and Fights  Home game and commodore 64  College and the “Techie” Click  The World of Work and Careers  Today: Nonprofit focusing on the issues for women and girls in media and technology.

Slide 4: Technology Literacy Wows  The first “computers” were mostly women!  Great technology designers were artists including musicians.  The “bug” in the computer (moth)  The Internet, GPS, PDA’s, video games  The computerized home and car.  Produce your own Media project

Slide 5: Tech Literacy Opportunities  New Jobs and careers  Educational opportunities  Medical Assistance: People are living longer  Socially responsible computer professionals  Investment Opportunities: Online Trading

Slide 6: Technology Literacy Woes  Misunderstandings about technology Stereotyping Video Games Privacy and Protection The Internet Abuse of Technology

Slide 7: Misunderstandings About Technology  Girls are just not interested  Girls are bored ~ AAUW Tech Savvy Report  Competitive (boys)/Collaborative (girls)  Technology is separate from social issues  Technology interest = Hi Tech  The Answer or Enhancement Take the place of ???  Technology is a tool!

Slide 8: Privacy and Protection Fears Being Tracked by a cell phone or Global Positioning System Digital Tracking of Children Viruses and Worms Being “googled” The availability of information

Slide 9: Technology Visual Cues Print Media & Advertisements Movies & TV Shows Games – gendered based Technology Teachers Parent’s Use of Technology Technology Store – Sales Rep Help Desk Assistant Book Stores

Slide 10: Stereotyping Nurse, Home Health Aides  Teachers  Single Parents  Basketball  Video Gamers  Race Car Drivers  Tech Support 

Slide 11: Exposure for Girls Where do young women and girls get hands on exposure and visual cues about technology?

Slide 12: Computers in the Household 70 60 50 40 Marrie d 30 Fe male - H 20 10 0 Comput e rs Inte rne t Use

Slide 13: Computer Science Advance Placement by Gender 10 0 90 80 70 60 Bo ys 50 Girls 40 30 20 10 0 A Le ve l AB Le ve l

Slide 14: Computer Science AP by Race 50 45 40 35 30 w hit e 25 black asian 20 lat ina 15 10 5 0 Gir ls in W ashingt on DC

Slide 15: Technology and the House Committee Video conferencing and recording testimony Transferring of information during crisis  Computer Security Impact of technology on decisions

Slide 16: Subcommittee on Technology, Information Policy, Intergovernmental Relations and the Census  E-government Initiatives  Computer Security and Viruses  Only one member is a woman  Testimonies have been from predominantly men  Decisions that affect women’s lives  Census tracks technology access through surveys

Slide 17: Past Legislation  Go Girl Act ~ 107th Congress HR 1536 To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to provide grants to local educational agencies to encourage girls to pursue studies and careers in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology. ~ Not passed ~  Dot Kids Implementation & Efficiency Act ~ 107th Congress HR 3833 A domain that will be a safe haven for children and families to prevent children from being exposed to harmful material on the Internet.

Slide 18: Current Legislation  E-Government Act The purpose of the is to enhance access to government information and the delivery of information services to citizens, business partners, employees and other agencies.  Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act Education projects that involve the location of a secondary school on the site of a community college, a business as a member of the consortium, and the voluntary participation of secondary school students.

Slide 19: Current Legislation – Cont’d  TOP ~ Technology Opportunities Programs A program that brings the benefits of innovative digital network technologies to under-served communities across the United States. Innovative Uses for Technology to Strengthen Families Video conferencing to bond incarcerated mothers with their children Real time reporting of women at risk for domestic violence Tracking of stalkers and pedophiles

Slide 20: Current Legislation – Cont’d  CTC ~ Community Technology Centers Supports the use of information technology to improve adult literacy and education achievement. This program provides disadvantaged residents of economically distressed urban and rural communities with access to technology and related training. After school technology programs are predominantly boys Adult education evening programs have a high percentage of women Centers provide in and out of school educational opportunities Assistance in job skills development.

Slide 21: Current Legislation – Cont’d  21st Century Learning Centers To provide expanded academic enrichment opportunities for children attending low performing schools. Tutorial services and academic enrichment activities are designed to help students meet local and state academic standards in subjects such as reading and math. In addition 21st CCLC programs provide youth development activities, drug and violence prevention programs, technology education programs, art, music and recreation programs, counseling and character education to enhance the academic component of the program.

Slide 22: Current Legislation Cont’d  Preparing Tomorrow's Teachers to Use Technology (PT3) This program addresses a growing challenge in modern education: nearly all elementary and secondary schools are now "wired" to the Internet, but most teachers still feel uncomfortable using technology in their teaching.  Women’s Educational Equity Act To promote gender equity in education; to promote equity in education for women and girls who suffer from multiple forms of discrimination based on sex and race, ethnic origin, limited English proficiency, disability or age; and to provide financial assistance to enable educational agencies to meet the requirements of title IX of the Education

Slide 23: Next Steps  Notify your legislators to keep these programs fully funded.  Support a National Task Force on Women and Information Technology  More women need to be involved in technology legislative agendas  We need to be concerned about new developments E-voting Digital tracking of your children  Get more involved in the basic technology literacy and education

Slide 24: Next Steps For You  Learning about technology is not just about how to use a computer take the time to learn about technology in general.  Take those challenging courses. Be thrilled to be challenge.  More women need to be involved in the technology related agendas  We need to be concerned about new developments

Slide 25: Digital Sisters, Inc. director@digital-sistas.org www.digital-sistas.org http://twitter.com/digitalsista