Gender Gap with Computer Use

I read an article called "Information Technology and Gender Equality: A Contradiction in Terminis?" written by Ingeborg Janssen Reinen and Tjeerd Plomp. This article described the fact that females know less about information technology, computers specifically, and enjoy using computers less than males. Some of the factors discussed in the article included different access availability, different socialization experiences, lack of female rolemodels in the classroom, organizational issues with the school itself (such as timetables), the type of computer use (meaning which classes and activities), and the student's attitude and ability towards computers.


It was found that in most countries, females enjoy using computers less than males do and know less about computers than males do. Male access to computers was also found to be significantly higher than female. The number of participants in activities that require computer use was also higher for males. In all participating countries except the USA and Bulgaria, females scored lower on the FITT test. Even in countries considered to be very gender equal, males still use computers more than females.

I had no idea there was such a gap between genders in the use of computers. The article was published in 1997 and I think things have changed a bit since then. It seems to me that females are closing the gap on males.

Here's the link to the article in case anyone wants to check it out :)
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=MImg&_imagekey=B6VCJ-3SWXXN4-1-1&_cdi=5956&_user=443835&_orig=search&_coverDate=02%2F28%2F1997&_sk=999719997&view=c&wchp=dGLzVlz-zSkWz&md5=a8af4e2be4d4787566337e6c17f78ee3&ie=/sdarticle.pdf

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FACEBOOK!

So I read this article called "Facebook Changed My Life" on BBC News. It featured all of these stories people submitted in celebration of the 5th anniversary of Facebook, which happens to be today. As I read through these peoples' stories, I got to thinking and realized that Facebook really has changed my life.

Before Facebook, I spent my freetime doing somewhat worthwhile things; reading, watching movies that interested me, spending times with my friends and family. I feel like ever since I was introduced to Facebook, my time spent doing all of these things has been reduced to nil. Who would have thought that a website designed to enable communication would have turned out to do the exact opposite?

Even though Facebook is probably not the most efficient way to spend time, now that it's become a part of everyday life, I don't know if I could live without it.

Thursday's assignment

Hey guys, I was having trouble finding information about the city that I chose from Thursdays online lecture assignment. I chose Baltimore, Maryland, if anyone else happened to choose that city or if anyone else had problems that would be awesome if you could give me suggestions. I would be grateful! Thanks!

hi

hi again. every Thursday we do not have class, what are we gonna do that time? is that right that we gonna spend a time on online lecture and is that it? thank you

hi

hi all, i am having trouble with finding the right book for the class. i stopped by the University Bookstore and i saw the book "There Goes The Neighborhood" by William. is that the right book?
thank you

Blogging=Third Place?

Blogs can be useful in this sort of academic setting specifically. Also, I would expect that recreational blogs are a good form of social capital as well. Blogs bridge physical gaps, as well as psychological gaps. UW is a huge school, and it can be especially difficult to reach someone that you may not be very familiar with. It brings anonymity and equality in the form of the internet. It is easily accessible to all, especially since we are on a college campus.

Virtual Social Capital and Third Places

Blogs are a good way to communicate with others, to express opinions, and among other things, to get involved with the internet. For these reasons, blogs can definitely be seen as a way to enhance social capital. By communicating with someone on a blog, a different type of social capital is created that might encourage you to post back on someone's blog. On the other hand, it could be a good topic of conversation for future in-person meetings. What this points to is that blogs enhance social capital because they enhance communication between friends and total strangers. Blogs as third places though, is a little bit harder for me to believe. I understand a third place to be physical, not virtual even if it does have some of the characteristics. The main issue that I see is the "home away from home" characteristic. I don't find the internet as this because it is virtual, even if it is almost always accessible and can have comforting graphics.