Microcomputers in the Elementary Classroom: Music,
Environmental Studies and Memory Development

Workshop Leader:
Julia Boucher, Math & Computer
Consultant, Halton Separate
School Board

The session centred on a hands-on demonstration of programs developed for, and used in elementary schools to teach the use of microcomputers.

Counselling Strategies to Counteract the Female Fear of the Chip

Workshop leader:
Ruth Hartnel1, Counselor,
Glenlawn Collegiate, Winnipeg

Among the major forces creating problems for women in the future and present world of work are power inequality, lack of positive role models, educational inequality, insufficient numbers of women opting to study math and science, sexist textbooks and reduced career aspirations. Also contributing are the socialization process, the manner in which women are portrayed in the media, government attitudes toward women, and the non-unionization of women.

The presentation expanded on all of these issues and touched upon the means available within the educational system to counteract their negative effects. Some of the actions to be under. taken immediately are listed below.

Action:

• Counselors must first confront their own biases and review their counseling practices.

• Teachers' associations must lobby their boards to hire more females for the secondary schools, to provide role models for female students.

• Counsellors can introduce students to female career speakers and organize information sessions on women in trades. They can display career posters that show women performing various tasks.

• Seminars for parents could contribute to attitude change in expectations for their daughters.

• Counselors could run workshops for teachers, on math and science anxiety, and the role of the teacher in dealing with this phenomenon.

• Another strategy is to set up a peer support group, in which students would help other students cope with untraditional career choices, and encourage girls to enter math- and science-related fields.

• Educators must challenge the developers of written information to eliminate sex biases and stereotyping.

• The counselors must be prepared to take an activist role, addressing leading questions to their clients and colleagues, informing them on myths and facts. Other ideas include:

• Developing career kits or games for women.

• Directing attention to the accomplishments of famous women.

• Initiating a women's studies course.

• Planning a future studies courses.

• Discussion groups could be set up, including men and women, to examine the causes of anxiety in the home, the educational process and the workplace; and to develop in young women the capacity to cope with inevitable changes.