A study on gender differences in computer science Essay Example for Free

A study on gender differences in computer science Essay A study on gender differences in computer science field found that despite males and females entering kindergarten with an equal ability in overall mathematics and science performance levels, there was an observable gender gap in mathematics and science by the end of 5th grade (Varma 2010, p. 303). By the end of 5th grade, students perceive that mathematics, science, and computing is for white males (Clewell Braddock 2000, p.90). This trend identified by Varma (2010, p.303) continues from 5th grade through to high school graduation, resulting in males and females entering university with different achievement levels in mathematics and science (Varma 2010, p.303). Due to the differing achievement levels, males predictably had a higher confidence level and positive attitude than females (Varma 2010, p.303). Doube and Lang (2012, p. 66) found that males had a higher self-concept in STEM fields than females despite an equivalent and sometimes lower level of achievement. Females\ low confidence level could also deter them from selecting and persisting in computing courses (Doube Lang 2012, p.66). Vitores and Gil-Juarez (2016, p.666) found there is a decline in the number of women selecting computing and information technology (IT) degree programs across the world. Women found their teachers\ perceptions of female students to be generally lower than those of the male students which also resulted in a decrease in self-confidence and an increase in anxiety toward their field of study (Beyer et al. 2005, p.393). Due to insufficient training and unequal emphasis to male and female students, one significant factor for cultural reproduction is teachers being held responsible for continuing the belief that males dominate the mathematics, science and computing fields (Varma 2010, p.302) giving status to science and technology (Male, Bush Murray 2009, p.456). Male (2010, p.462) suggests that in order to improve the retention of female engineering students, engineering administrators must investigate the existing assumed gender neutral cultures rather than making women fit the current structure. Varma (2010, p.314) suggests teachers in primary and high school need to improve their style of teaching instead of continuing the belief that females are more suited to humanities, social sciences and arts and males are suited to mathematics, sciences, and computing. Another significant factor for cultural reproduction is the lack of significant female role models in computing which would help to change the perception of stereotypes in the field from \geeky\ or \nerdy\ (Varma 2010, p.303). Stereotypes such as antisocial \ geeks\ and having a career that doesn\t require or value personal skills or a career that doesn\t necessarily help others has been identified as a deterrent to female involvement in the computing discipline (Doube Lang 2012, p.66). Sorby (2007, p.2) proposes that \female role models and mentors will be important to increasing gender diversity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics\ due to women in male-dominated professions reporting they felt threatened by negative stereotypes. Researchers have found that 3D spatial skills such as mentally rotating objects in space are critical to success in a variety of careers, particularly in engineering and science (Sorby 2007, p.1). Several researchers have published evidence to suggest that female spatial skills are greatly behind that of a male (Sorby 2007, p.2). One theory is that spatial ability is related to a male sex hormone, however, the skill is most likely due to a number of factors such as pre-university activities requiring hand-eye coordination such as playing with construction toys, high school classes like shop/woodwork, playing computer games and sports (Sorby 2007, p.2). Sorby (2007, p.2) states that \ since most of those activities have a fairly high degree of gender bias favoring men, it is no wonder that the spatial skills of women often fall behind those of their male peers\. In conclusion, meritocracy is not the reason a greater number of males study the Science, Engineering, Technology and Mathematics (STEM) field over females. The lower number of females in higher education STEM enrolments could be due to teachers continuing the belief that males dominate the mathematics, science and computing fields, a lack of role models for women resulting in low confidence and anxiety in this field, stereotypes such as \nerds\ and \geeks\ deterring women from enrolling and gender bias with pre-university activities which don\t allow women to develop the same skills useful to the STEM field. All of these factors could contribute toward males believing they are better suited to the STEM field, resulting in higher enrolments over females. 4102.0 Australian Social Trends 2012, \Education Differences between Men and Women\, Australian Bureau of Statistics, viewed 6 October 2017, http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/[emailprotected]/Lookup/4102.0Main+Features20Sep+2012#HIGHER Barnett, S 2007, \Complex Questions Rarely Have Simple Answers\, Psychological Science in the Public Interest, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. iii. Doube, W Lang, C 2012, \Gender and Stereotypes in Motivation to Study Computer Programming for Careers in Multimedia\, Computer Science Education, vol. 22, no. 1, pp. 63-78. Male, S, Bush, M Murray, K 2009, \Think Engineer, Think Male?\, European Journal of Engineering Education, vol. 34, no. 5, pp. 455-464. Sorby, S 2007, \Developing 3D Spatial Skills for Engineering Students\, Australasian Journal of Engineering Education, vol. 13, no.1, pp. 1-12. Varma, R 2010, \Why So Few Women Enroll in Computing? Gender and Ethnic Differences in Students\ Perception\, Computer Science Education, vol. 20 no. 4, pp.301-316. Vitores, A Gil-Juarez, 2016, \The Trouble with \Women in Computer\: a Critical Examination of the Deployment of Research on the Gender Gap in Computer Science\, Journal of Gender Studies, vol. 25, no. 6, pp. 666-680.

What the Genome Revolution Could Mean for Me and the Rio Grande Valley :: Argumentative Persuasive Biology Essays

What the Genome Revolution Could Mean for Me and the Rio Grande Valley With technology advancing more quickly than even our own minds can comprehend, the effects of these advancements cannot be measured in our time, as they are just beginning to reveal themselves. Nowhere is this more evident than in the world of biotechnology, where researchers are changing the way people look at themselves as individuals with imperfections. The newly mapped human gene sequence provides scientists with the tools needed to manipulate, 'fix', or alter the human genetic code to create a person with any specifications desired in a human. Just the idea of a person engineered to specific criteria boggles the mind with questions about the implications on society, not to mention the unforeseen consequences that could lurk in the nearby future. In a world as populous as today's, the sense of self, rooted within each person, becomes more important than ever. As time passes with more hi-tech advancements, people will have to deal with the outcomes of the human genome project, some of which can be investigated before work begins on implementing research into everyday healthcare and others that still wait to be stumbled upon. The first problem includes the laws of all types, including those that have yet to be passed concerning the use of DNA in altering negative characteristics and adding favorable ones. First, developers must explore the ethical law that asks whether it is morally correct to change what it is that makes us people: the fact that we are all different and have flaws, and maybe these should be cherished rather than changed. If everyone was the same, we would become like ants, just one of a million, and lose the meaning of us being here: sharing different ideas and personas that enrich our lives and give us fulfilling relationships. Does making similar people interfere with the law of nature, which before now was the only factor in determining who we are? Then comes the legal matters that appear with the application of this knowledge. When people alter the natural cycle of life that has been in place for millions of years, there are going to have to be rules in place so that this sensitive data does not fall into the wrong hands, become misused, or have the huge negative impact on society that it has the possibility of having.

Battle of Algiers Analysis Essay

The Battle of Algiers is a 1966 film that depicts the Algerian uprising against the French rule in the city of Algeria. The cause of the conflict in the film is the constant oppression felt by the Arab Algerians because of French colonialism. The injustice suffered by the native Arabs is shown in a number of ways: the living space difference between the Arabs and French, the difference in occupation, and the condescending attitudes the French have towards the Arabs. The populations of Algeria (Arab and French), are separated into two locations. The French live in a modern city with stores, buildings, lights, and automobiles many things that people take for granted. While the Arabs live in poverty compressed in a dark Casbah; an old walled in citadel. The French seem to have a well-established middle class while the native Arabs of Algeria have to struggle to survive. The difference in occupations by the natives and the French is also blatantly shown. The Arabs are mainly engaged in manual labor and only work with the French when they work under them – the servant of the police commissioner. On the other hand the French have a deep-rooted monopoly on all civil affairs. These differences show the injustice experienced by the native population but it is more apparent by the condescending and arrogant perception the French have toward the Arabs. Throughout the film the French try to persuade the native population to quell their rebellion by showing how French occupation has given them â€Å"civilization and prosperity.† But this is not true because of the difference in living conditions between the two races of people. Also throughout the film the French refer to the native Algerians as â€Å"dirty Arabs,† and â€Å"rats.† The dehumanization of the Arabs is also shown when Lieutenant-Colonel Mathieu compares the Arabs to â€Å"tapeworms.† It is ironic that the French officer refers to the Arabs as parasites when it is truly the French who colonized the country and exploits its resources. Lieutenant Mathieu also shows his disrespect for the Arabs when he names his counter measures to the Arabs rebellion â€Å"operation champagne.† (Alcohol is forbidden to Muslims) The film The Battle of Algiers shows the constant injustice to the native population by the foreign imperialists. The movie shows the difference in location, occupation, and respect that both people have for each other. The film also shows the constant racism of the French toward the native population and depicts the various reasons as to why the Arabs rebelled.

Ban The Use Of Guns By Civilians - 3058 Words

Pierce Hodges Mrs. Desanto Research paper Feb 9, 2015 A Call to Ban the use of Guns by Civilians Dwight D. Eisenhower once said, â€Å"Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired, signifies in the final sense a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed.† (citation) Guns are a major source of crisis in our nation today, and as President Eisenhower speaks to in this quote, firearms take something away from society. We are supposed to be a peaceful and civilized nation, but because of guns, we are becoming a violent nation and a disaster. Many think that those who are negatively affected by guns are only inner-city teens and young adults. This was proven to be untrue by the†¦show more content†¦In that same situation, with no gun around, there is a much less chance of someone being severely injured or killed. Many people suggest securing schools more by doing things like locking all doors, bullet-proof vestibules, mandatory ID and background checks, and even microchips monitoring people s whereabouts i n the school. All of these things may help, but the problem is much bigger than the schools. The problem is in the access to guns that our laws allow. The use of guns by civilians should be banned because, the statistics show that the more guns, the more chance for violence. The military and law-enforcement should be the only ones legally allowed to carry guns. When our forefathers drafted the Bill of Rights with the Second Amendment protecting the individual right to possess firearms, the society and the motive was different. it was a limited right and they left some authority over it to the government. The government is able to limit this, so seeing how guns are negatively affecting our society, they should use their power. There is no reason why so many people, living in what is supposed to be a peaceful society, possess guns. About 16,272 murders were committed in the United States during 2014. Of these, about 10,886, or 67%, were committed with firearms. A nationwide survey of 4,977 households found that over the previous five years, at least 0.5% of households had members who had used a gun for defense during a