Gender Bias and the Technology Gap

In my research paper, I looked at the issue of gender bias in the classroom and how it is perpetuated through the use of technology that continues to include a gender bias. The alarming aspect of this research is the suggested contribution has on the gendered technology gap that exists. As of today there is a disproportionate number of males in the fields of science, math, technology and engineering. The research I read through analyzed how gender biased educational programs in the classroom can contribute to the lack of women representation in the above fields. Many of the educational computer programs in the classroom reflect characters and content that more often appeal to males, researches suggest that this decreases the likelihood of positive engagement for females. Also since much of technology is used in math, science and technology classrooms, female students are more likely to see these fields as subjects that are for males. Much of the research demonstrated that this occurs more frequently throughout higher grade levels.

Although much of the research I analyzed was from after the year 2000, some of it might have been a bit dated, especially considering the continuing changes in technology in the classroom. However it stressed a key point that can be even more broadly stated. Although the use of technology in the classroom has the opportunity to bridge many different achievement gaps, it will continue to perpetuate bias in the classroom unless these biases are intentionally deconstructed.