Volume 1 Issue 1 16 March 1998

Introduction Gender Inequalities in Education Girls: Just Look Beautiful Teacher of the Year? Hammers Are For Boys and Needles Are For Girls Gender, Computing, and Kids The Gender Gap in the Computing Field Apple Classrooms of Tomorrow Whitmore High School: A Case Study of Computer Usage Part One: The Bright, White Boys' Lunch Club Part Two: Girls and Computer Science Boys Muscle Girls Out Girls Need Space Bennet School Computer Projects for Mother and Daughter Expanding Your Horizons in Math and Science Computers and Technology: Differences In Gender Gender Bias In Educational Software Educational Software For Girls Purple Moon: Thanks but No Thanks for Rockett's New School Girl Tech - Not Girl Friendly Enough Her Interactive Broderbund - Classroom Software Done Right Computers In the Classroom: What is the Effect on the Gender Gap? Beyond Equal Access Last Words About the Authors References

Educational Software For Girls What is the current state of educational software created for girls? The good news is that more companies recognize the need for software targeting girls. The bad news is that the majority of the software resulting from this realization either 1) is not necessarily educational, or 2) reinforces gender stereotypes (or both!).  A Review of Purple Moon   Software developers and parents alike rationalize non-educational, stereotype-promoting software by claiming that "it provides another reason for [girls] to spend time with the computer--not a bad thing at all, given survey results which show girls...falling behind boys in computer use." (SuperKids "Let's Talk About Me) At SuperKids Educational Software Review, providing "unbiased information to aid in your selection process," is a review of a prime example of this category of software--Girl Games, Inc.'s "Let's Talk About Me." Although the reviewers complained that educational content in this software was weak, the conclusion nevertheless stated, "This program is a lot of fun for girls of the appropriate age range," (SuperKids "Let's Talk About Me") and rated it 4 (out of 5) for educational value. In addition, this software was chosen as one of the SuperKids' "Best of 1997."   A Review of Her Interactive Like this example, most so-called "educational software" for girls is disappointing. At the other end of the spectrum, however, are some glimmers of hope. Creative Wonders has created a series of games based on the Madeline stories that many girls have grown up with. In "Madeline's European Adventure" players help Madeline complete a mission while improving problem-solving skills, learning a little geography, and even getting an introduction to the French and Spanish languages. This title not only appeals to girls and makes commputers fun, it also teaches. As SuperKids' reviewer said, "As a girls software contender, this is a real winner." (SuperKids "Madeline's European Adventure") Although this one is not necessarily an educational title, Her Interactive is developing a game based on the Nancy Drew Mysteries which has promise for interesting girls in computer-based play without perpetuating sex stereotypes. A Review of Girl Tech While it may be true that "any software which gets girls interested in computers" is helpful, it is unfortunate that so many of these reinforce gender stereotypes and that few truly educational software titles are geared specifically to girls preferences. With the advent of Madeline educational games, Nancy Drew mysteries, and perhaps other titles on the horizon, hopefully this situation is changing for the better. A Review of Broderbund

Date Last Modified: 3/15/98
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