This toolkit is based on session at the May 1 st , 2003 Community Technology Network of the Bay Area Spring conference. Session leadership and facilitation by Jessica Hobbs, Jean Kaiser, Christine Karim and Natalie Seer ( Presenter bios ).
This toolkit was created to assist in planning and delivering tech programs for women and girls. We saw it as a starting place, incorporating accumulated field experience and including suggested resources for further exploration
Introductions
Description of programs for Women and Girls at Girls Club of the Mid-peninsula, Richmond Village Beacon and Urban VOICE
What Works & What Doesn't Work
Favorite Software/Websites
Components of a Great Girls'/Women's Program/Tech Program
Examples of Tech Programs for Women and Girls
See PowerPoint presentations by Jean Kaiser and Natalie Seer.
What Works and What Doesn't Work
In the interactive group discussion, we first brainstormed what works and what doesn't work in technology programs for women and girls. Here's what we found:
Youth Development
Girls Only time
Talking to the girls/women (Ask them what works!)
Project based activities
Everyday usage
Hands on
Student driven
Child Watch Program
Distance Learning with supportive follow-up staff
Peer leaders as examples
Partnering with other organizations
Using tech as a means, not an end
Remembering each individual approaches tech in her own way
Small groups
Authentic use that has personal meaning
Sense of belonging
Drawing on girls' skills that are a part of them already
Show computers as a tool
Mentors
Job placement assistance
Finding girls' motivation to use tech and then incorporating it
Scanning
Creating online community
Digital storytelling
Being willing to change the program/activity
Recipes/greeting cards
Establishing confidence in the beginning
Cultivating girl/women student leaders
Showing tech as a communication tool
Motivation commitment
Getting women to use more than just MS apps
Boys taking over space with ìgamesî
Isolating tech
Over-designing the program/activity
Session participants were encouraged to browse the CTN website curriculum resources for Girls and Young Women: http://www.ctnbayarea.org/girls.html .
Other favorites contributed by session participants:
In this exercise, based on the What Works brainstorming above, session participants were asked to contribute their thoughts on ì10 components of a great girls'/women's programî and then ì10 ways to create a great tech program for women and girlsî. As we analyzed our previous ideas, we found many of the components could be applicable to both girls' and women's programs. Then our session was nearing the end of the day, so this table is incomplete. Participants agreed that we shared a lot of useful information in the time available.
Girls | Both | Women |
| Special hours: | Positive role models | Child Care |
Use tech to develop program | Safe, comfortable environment (have participants decorate their own space) | Wraparound Services |
Build activities to increase proficiency | Create Balance: Incorporate tech into other activities, and vice versa Health Chatting/IM | Women instructors |
Check email to learn dayís activities |
| Share leadership 50/50 time |