This DfE report shows that in 2014 boys outnumbered girls at GCSE by a factor of 11 to 2. In some of my classes there are no girls at all. What are the barriers to Computer Science for girls at GCSE and beyond? How can we address this? The good people at CAS #include have got some great ideas and insight into these questions and I’m going to try to go through each of the reasons why they suggest that girls are deterred from taking Computer Science:
Computer Science for Girls: what are the problems?
- Lower confidence levels than that of male peers in the subject area.
- Use of examples within lessons that do not promote an inclusive environment.
- Lack of opportunity for collaboration and project based learning.
- Irelevent curriculum and focus on teacher led lessons rather than hands on projects.
- Lack of visible positive female role models within the facility, upper year groups or wider world.
- Poor perceptions of possible careers within the field.
- Lack of access to career information.
