http://www.digitales-online.org/2002/

Forum * Digital education and cognitive processes - Isabelle Collet

Here is an ambiguous question which could quickly become provocative. Indeed, it sounds as these naturalist justifications explaining why women cannot enter higher education : their different way of thinking would be less adapted to prestigious subjects and in particular to the mastering or even the use of IT.
Let ‘s ignore any essentialist approach and acknowledge that girls and boys are brought us differently. Then, it is possible that they relate to knowledge or to learning, in particular in the field of sciences and techniques, in a different way. That could mean that teaching sciences and techniques, such as it was conceived, was thought according to the public that it always concerned in majority. As Nadine Plateau points out: "the education which is accessible to all is that intended for the privileged social group: a male, white, higher middle pupil" (in: CLAIR Renée (dir), la formation scientifique des filles, un enseignement au-dessus de tout soupçon ?, UNESCO édition Liris, 1995)
In this case, should we have "information technology courses for girls"? What shape should they take ?

Isabelle Collet is researcher in Sciences of Education in Paris X University and member of the Chienne de Garde
icollet@u-paris10.fr

Cet article a été écrit par Isabelle Collet {icollet@u-paris10.fr} le 11/01/2004