SPECIAL CEEO/DILES/CS EVENT Gender, Lies, and Video Games: The Truth about Females and Computing

Abstract

This talk explores how girls and women differ from boys and men in their uses of and attitudes towards computers and computing. From playing computer games to pursuing computing careers, the participation of females tends to be very low compared to that of males. Why is this? Opinions range from girls wanting to avoid the math and/or the geek image of programming to girls having better things to do with their lives. We discuss research findings on this issue, as well as strategies to increase the participation of females in computing.