Skip to main content
Log in

Single-sex computer classes: An effective alternative

  • Contents
  • Published:
TechTrends Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Conclusion

Considering the technology gender gap that exists today, there can be no doubt that our current educational system is not engaging female students in technology or awakening them to possibilities of the technology industry as a career. Females are not afraid of computers or lack the ability to master computer skills, but they find the computer environment objectionable (http : / / www.aauw.org/2000/ techsavvybd.html). Several factors within the educational system heighten these objections and impede female progression through technology classes. It is these factors that our educational system must address.

Single-sex computer classes offer female students the educational advantages of learning in a comfortable, non-threatening classroom environment where they are encouraged to enthusiastically participate in classroom discussions and activities (Kumagi, 1995). In these classes, curriculum may be adjusted to reflect the need females to see computers as productivity tools (Caplice, 1994). As a result of positive experiences gained while attending single-sex computer classes, females are more likely to pursue higher level computer classes.

Although it is possible to argue that single-sex computer classes do not mirror the real world females must contend with once outside the classroom, they are, however, effective interim interventions to enable females to lessen the current technology gap (Kumagi, 1995).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Brown, E, & Russo, C. (1999, January ). Single-sex schools, the law, and school reform. Education &Urban Society, 31(2), 154–158.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burgess, A. (1990). Co-education: the disadvantages for schoolgirls.Gender & Education, 2(1), 91–95.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Camp, T. (2001). Women in computer sciences: Reversing the trend.Syllabus, 15(1), 24–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Caplice, K. (1994). The case for public single-sex education. HarvardJournal of Law & Public Policy, 18(1), 227–291.

    Google Scholar 

  • Francis, L, Kat, Y., & Yaacov, L. (1996, July). The Gender Stereotyping of Computer Use Among Female Undergraduate Students in Israel and the Relationship with Computer Related Attitudes,Journal of Educational Media, 22(2), 79–86.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gillihrand, E., Robinson, R., Brawn, R., & Osborn, A. (1999). Girls’ participation in physics in single sex classes in mixed schools in relation to confidence and achievement. InternationalJournal of Science Education, 21 (4), 349–362.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haag, P. (2000). K-12 single-sex education: what does research say? (ED444758). : (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED444758)

  • Hanor, J. (1998). Concepts and strategies learned from girls’ interactions with computers. Theoryinto Practice, 37(1), 64–71.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harker, R. (2000, June). Achievement, gender and the single-sex/coed debate.British Journal of Sociology of Education, 21(2), 203–218.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Houtx, L., &. Gupta, U. (2001). Nebraska high school students’ computer skills and attitudes.Journal of Research on Computing in Education, 33(3), 316–327.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jackson, C., & Smith, I. (2000, December). Poles apart.? an exploration ot single-sex and mixed-sex educational environments m australia and england.Educational Studies, 26(4), 409–422.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kay, R. (1992) Understanding gender differences in computer attitudes, aptitude, and use: an invitation to build theory,Journal of Research on Computing in Education, 25(2), 159–172.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kumagi, J. (1995, November). Do single -sex classes help girls succeed in physics’.Physics Today, 48(11), 72–74.’

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, V., & Lockheed, M. (1990). The effects ot single-sex schooling on achievement and attitudes in nigeria. (SE552026). (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. EJ476667)

  • Mallam, W. (1993). Impact of schooltype and sex of the teacher on female students’ attitudes toward mathematics in Nigerian secondary schools (SE552026). Nigeria: (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. EJ476667)

  • Marsh, H.W. & Rowe, K.J. (1996). The effects of single-sex and mixedsex mathematics classes within a coeducational school: a reanalysis and comment.Australian journal of education, 40 147–162.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McEwen, A., & Knipe, D. (1997, Nov). The impact of single-sex and coeducational schooling on participation and achievement in science: a 10-year perspective.Research in Science & Technological Education, 97(15), 223–233.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O’Reilly, E., & Mottet, L. (2001). Single-sex education. GeorgetownJournal of Gender & the Law, 2(2), 467–476.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reisman, D. (1993, March/April). Quixotic ideas tor educational reform.Society, 30(3), 17–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sacks, C., & Bellisimo, Y. (19931994). Attitudes toward computers and computer use: the issue of gender.journal of Research on Computing in Education, 26(2), 256–269.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Silverman, S., & Pritchard, A. (1996). Building their future: girls and technology education in Connecticut.journal of Technology Education, 7(2), 41–53.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stepulevage, L. (2001). Gender/Technology Relations: complicating the gender binary.Gender and Education, 13(3), 325–338.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Streitmatter, J. (1998, November). Single-sex classes: female physics students state their case.School Science & Mathematics, 98(7), 369–375.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • The American Association ot University Women. (1992). How schools shortchange girls Executive Summary (1992).

  • The American Association ot University Women. (2000). Tech-Savvy: Educating girls in the new computer age. Retrieved April 2, 2002 fromhttp : // www. aauw.org/2000/ techsavvy.html

  • The Fate of a Single Sex Classroom is..., (1996). Retrieved April 2, 2002, fromhttp://www.aclu.org/news/ w070496c.html

  • Warrington, M., & Younger, M. (2001). Single-sex classes and equal opportunities for girls and boys: perspectives through time from a mixed comprehensive school in England.Oxford Review of Education, 27(3), 339–356.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young, B. (2000). Gender Differences in Student Attitudes Toward Computers.Journal of Research on Computing in Education, 33(2), 204–216.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Swain, S.L., Harvey, D.M. Single-sex computer classes: An effective alternative. TECHTRENDS TECH TRENDS 46, 17–20 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02824155

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02824155

Keywords

Navigation