Issues of doing gender and doing technology – Music as an innovative theme for technology education

Abstract

This paper presents the concept and results of the research project ‘Engineer Your Sound!’ (2008–2009). It aimed at exploring whether interdisciplinary, innovative teaching/learning settings in the fields of technology and digital media can be used to give pupils the opportunities to experiment and discover their technical potential, skills, interests and talents and if music technology could offer such an appealing context. The paper explains how technology and why gender need to be addressed when planning to raise young people's interest in technology but questions if interest in technology is mainly influenced by gender. The paper explores through ethnographic research how pupils’ technological competencies and interests have developed during the course of a technology-related project. Results of the analysis explain how music technology can serve as a suitable theme with the potential to increase both males’ and females’ interest in technology.

Keywords:

• curriculum design
• engineering education
• gender
• music technology
• participatory technology design
• technology and science education