4. Education

Strategy Coordinators:
Pat Webb, Manager, DMS Training,
Bell-Northern Research, Ottawa

Jacqueline Bourdeau, Student,
Educational Technology,
University of Montreal "

“The information gathered from the 'Education' workshops
has been regrouped under three headlines:

1. Students;
2. Teachers and Administrators;
3. Parents and Society.

1. Students:

Participants feel that young girls must be taught how to use computers at the earliest stages of their elementary schooling. Each classroom should be equipped with a computer. User clubs for girls could be set up in each school, to provide support and motivation, and combat the sex-related stereotypes before it is too late. Much emphasis should be given to the importance of future career choices and the need to pursue mathematics and science courses through high school and college or university.

2. Teachers and Administrators:

The training of elementary, and even pre-school teachers should include computer literacy. Teachers should be well informed about sex stereotyping, and should be encouraged to develop computer programs themselves. This might help to eliminate stereotyping, while supplying students with programs well adapted to their needs.

3. Parents and Society:

Some of the questions which arose focused on how to Promote support of daughters in mathematics and science. Participants also think that parents and school administrators alike should be given a chance to learn how to use computers, so that they will acquire a better understanding of the realities of their youngsters' learning environment.

All workshops came to the conclusion that we need to elect women to decision-making positions, locally and provincially, throughout the education system. We need also to network and Promote role models for girls. We must find various ways of opposing the concept that girls aren't good in mathematics and science. Finally, we must convince girls to seek a career and refuse to be relegated to dead-end support role. ”