Rethinking the 'problem' of gender and IT schooling: discourses in literature

摘要

A review of the international research literature pertaining to gender and informationtechnology (IT) schooling reveals changing ideas about what constitutes a genderproblem. Much of the literature is concerned with gender differences in computer usesand interests and perceived disadvantages accruing to females as a result of thesedifferences. This reflects and contributes to a dominant liberal equity discourse.Growing awareness of the limitations of earlier research, the changing nature of ITschooling, contradictions in students’ computer interests and dissatisfaction withsimplistic explanations has led, however, to post-structural rethinking and theemergence of a critical discourse. Assumptions of essential differences and deficitways of thinking are challenged. Persistent gender differences in IT use are exploredin their social complexity and the very notion that there is a gender problem isproblematised. This presents a different and ultimately more satisfying way ofthinking about the problem of gender and IT schooling.