Women and Math
Learn about strategies to assist women in succeeding with math, an important skill area for science and technology.
The designers of The Logical Journey of the Zoombinis explain how the computer game makes math fun for girls and young women, while introducing concepts such as logical relationships, graphing and algebra.
|
Source: |
Hancock, Chris and Scot Osterweil, "Zoombinis and the Art of Mathematical Play," Hands On!, Volume 19, No. 1, Spring 1996. |
A study of 279 students from Manhattan Community College reveals that for women, techniques like good communication with the instructor and peer tutoring can help alleviate anxiety they may feel in math class.
|
Source: |
Peskoff, Fred, "Coping with Mathematics Anxiety: Guidelines for College Students and Faculty," Department of Mathematics, Borough of Manhattan Community College, CUNY. |
This study looked at math instruction with content that appeals to feminine or masculine interests. It found that gender-adapted instruction makes a difference in student attitudes, which may affect persistence.
|
Source: |
Leonard, Mary J.; Derry, Sharon J., "Can Gender-Adapted Instruction Improve Mathematics Performance and Attitudes?" Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Seattle, WA, April 10-14, 2001. |
This paper examines changing beliefs about how women learn math, such as a preference for learning cooperatively, and reviews intervention programs for girls and women.
|
Source: |
Fennema, Elizabeth, "Gender and Mathematics: What Is Known and What Do I Wish Was Known?," Prepared for the Fifth Annual Forum of the National Institute for Science Education, 2000. |
A summer program at the University of New Mexico used techniques such as small group instruction to improve mathematics scores. By the end of the class, nearly two-thirds of the participants had raised their algebra scores by 15%.
|
Source: |
Ami, Carlon G., "The Effects of a Four Week Summer Bridge Program," University of New Mexico, 2001 6 pp. |
The WomenTech Educators Training got us thinking intentionally about who we were going to target for outreach, how we were going to target them, and how we would follow up to make sure we had actual results linked to the different programs and events that we were holding. Since then, it has grown organically and blossomed into something that our college just does naturally.
I think getting together as a team with intention—because we're all so busy—and developing a written plan that we could stick to was what made all the difference. I don’t think we would have ever done that if it wasn't for the WomenTech Educators Training.