I think this is a huge issue when you are considering the use of images in
LOs. Not only should we be avoiding images of a patronising nature, but it
is very noticeable that some authors have a tendency to be gender biased
with their images, i.e. macho images for motor vehicle, girls for
hairdressing. Because the VLE is a visual medium we should all be vigilant
in this regard.
Penny Everett
Senior Learning Materials Developer
Oaklands College
-----Original Message-----
From: Katie Lips [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 07 April 2003 14:03
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: VLEs and gender issues
Even after taking into account 'equality of opportunity' issues I would
imagine that there are plenty of issues for HCI (Human Computer Interaction)
designers to examine. For example, girls may learn in different ways - or
they may be attracted to content or functionality through different
mechanisms.
This is also about age. If boys and girls mature at slightly different rates
then this would need to be addressed when designing a flexible interface.
Katie Lips
Producer
3T Productions Ltd
T: 0161 492 1400 F: 0161 492 1401 M: 07799797255
www.3t.co.uk
-----Original Message-----
From: Sarah Price [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 07 April 2003 13:59
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: VLEs and gender issues
> Confused...
>
> What 'gender issues' are there in a VLE?
>
This isnt such a trivial question. Are VLEs (and information technology
in general) gender-neutral so that males and females benefit equally
from their application? If the answer to that could be 'no', the
implications would be serious and it's worth getting some answers.
Some possible gender issues are:
- the *access* that females have to computers and technology *before*
they get to university/college and therefore the ease with which they
are likely to cope with learning delivered online. Access can refer not
only to hardware and connectivity, but also to the level of their
opportunities to access technology.
- the *levels* of IT skills of women vs men.
- the *culture* of being seen to be 'good' at computers. In some cases,
girls/women may get an easier time by actually being or pretending to be
technologically incapable.
All these things (and so many more) could effect how the VLE is received
and used by students. It could mean that we are not offering equality of
provision, that the playing field is not as level as we think it is.
This short reply has not given justice to this question. I'll finish by
saying that it's worth considering that some of the issues that may
apply to female students could also be valid with respect to questions
of poverty and ethnicity.
Sarah
----------------------------------------------------------------
Sarah Price
Manager
JISC Regional Support Centre
Scotland North & East
Tel: 0131 315 7674 Fax: 0131 315 7675
Email: [log in to unmask]
http://www.rsc-ne-scotland.ac.uk/
----------------------------------------------------------------
> Megan.
> ILT Champion, City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Riina Vuorikari
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Sent: 07/04/03 11:51
> Subject: VLEs and gender issues
>
> All,
>
> I'm looking into gender issues and the use & development of
> VLEs. I wonder if you would know any places to look into for
> some leads?
>
> What I'm interested is to know if there are any
> recommendations for schools and communities to deal with
> this, especially in school environments? Or if you have taken
> any explicit action plans in this issue?
>
> So far, the most interesting publication that I found is
> "Tech-Savvy: Educating Girls in the New Computer Age" (2000)
> at http://www.aauw.org/2000/techsavvy.html
>
> Thanks for any additional information.
>
> Regards,
>
> Riina Vuorikari
> ================
> [log in to unmask]
> Research Analyst
>
> European Schoolnet
> http://www.eun.org
>
> INSIGHT: Knowledge base for
> New Technology and Education
> http://insight.eun.org
>
> ***************** List information: *****************
> Remember - replies go by default to the entire list.
> Access the list via the web on
> http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/vle.html
> The Ferl VLE Focus
> Area is at http://ferl.becta.org.uk/display.cfm?page=76
> To unsubscribe, email [log in to unmask] with the
> message: leave vle
>
>
> Disclaimer
>
> Any opinions expressed in this email are those of the
> individual and not necessarily the Company. This email and
> any files transmitted with it, including replies and
> forwarded copies (which may contain alterations) subsequently
> transmitted from the Company, are confidential and solely for
> the use of the intended recipient. It may contain material
> protected by attorney-client privilege. If you are not the
> intended recipient or the person responsible for the delivery
> to the intended recipient, be advised that you have received
> this email in error and that any use is strictly prohibited.
>
> If you have received this email in error please notify the IT
> manager by email to [log in to unmask], including a
> copy of this message. Please then delete this email and
> destroy any copies of it.
>
> ***************** List information: *****************
> Remember - replies go by default to the entire list.
> Access the list via the web on
> http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/vle.html
> The Ferl VLE Focus
> Area is at http://ferl.becta.org.uk/display.cfm?page=76
> To unsubscribe, email [log in to unmask] with the
> message: leave vle
>
***************** List information: *****************
Remember - replies go by default to the entire list.
Access the list via the web on http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/vle.html
The Ferl VLE Focus Area is at http://ferl.becta.org.uk/display.cfm?page=76
To unsubscribe, email [log in to unmask] with the message: leave vle
***************** List information: *****************
Remember - replies go by default to the entire list.
Access the list via the web on http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/vle.html
The Ferl VLE Focus Area is at http://ferl.becta.org.uk/display.cfm?page=76
To unsubscribe, email [log in to unmask] with the message: leave vle
***************** List information: *****************
Remember - replies go by default to the entire list.
Access the list via the web on http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/vle.html
The Ferl VLE Focus Area is at http://ferl.becta.org.uk/display.cfm?page=76
To unsubscribe, email [log in to unmask] with the message: leave vle
|