Narratives on platform: stories for women in computer science. (4th March 2008)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cozza, Michela
• Is Part Of: International journal of continuing engineering education and lifelong learning. Volume 18:Number 2(2008)
• Page Start: 197
• Page End: 213
• Publication Date: 2008-03-04
• Subjects: empowerment -- gender divide -- distance learning -- mentoring -- narratives -- telementoring -- women -- computer science -- information technology -- female participation -- experts -- novices; Engineering -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; 620.00715
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1560-4624

Abstract

The development of information technologies is changing work and employment. Society now demands that the people must be able to use technology. While technological skills and familiarity with the computer are ever more crucial, from the gender perspective we observe a considerable divide between those who have frequent and 'friendly' access to electronic devices ? above all men ? and those who do not, generally women. This gender divide is caused by social, structural factors, and individual differences. It is important to understand how this gap can be closed and how feminine participation in Information Technology (IT) be improved. Telementoring or distance learning may be ad hoc solutions to these problems. The article explores how computer technology can be used to develop and sustain relationships between expert and novice women in the IT field by having them to share experimental narratives about their work.