Is Your Classroom Woman-Friendly?: Ten Strategies For Reaching This Goal

Abstract

A recent report by the National Council for Research on Women (2001) revealed that the number of women entering technology-driven careers has declined. Among the reasons cited is the sometimes chilly climate for women in college classrooms, particularly classrooms with technology-rich environments. In this article, I present strategies that instructors in any discipline can use to make women students feel more welcome in their classrooms. Also included is a group exercise that instructors can use with their students to raise awareness of gender dynamics in the classroom and in everyday life.

Keywords:

• gender roles
• stereotypes
• science
• technology
• mathematics