Gender and Computers - of the Study on the Digital Divide

In this review of Gender and Computers, Joel Cooper and Kimberlee D. Weaver present a focused, research-driven look at how girls and young women are being left behind in information technology. The book is best for educators, policymakers, and researchers seeking evidence and practical remedies rather than quick fixes; its single biggest reason to buy is the combination of empirical data and social psychological analysis that links family, classroom, and institutional practices to the persistent digital divide. Readers should expect a scholarly but accessible treatment that proposes concrete interventions.

Key Features

• Empirical evidence: The book compiles original research and recently published work by leading scholars to document measurable differences in access and learning between genders.
• Social psychological framework: The authors use social psychological theories to explain how societal and environmental roots contribute to the digital divide.
• Practical remedies: Recommendations span multiple levels, from family dynamics to classroom practice, offering actionable ideas for change.
• Policy relevance: Proposals address the gender organization of schools and school systems, useful for policymakers considering structural reform.
• Balanced synthesis: The text considers both the authors' original research and work by other experts, providing a comprehensive perspective.

Who It's For

Gender and Computers is aimed primarily at educators, school administrators, gender studies scholars, and policymakers who want a research-based account of why girls fall behind in IT and how to address it. Graduate students and social scientists looking for a synthesis of empirical studies and theoretical approaches will also find the book valuable.

Readers seeking a how-to manual for teaching specific computer skills, or a popular-level narrative with personal stories and profiles, should look elsewhere; the book is focused on data, theory, and institutional remedies rather than step-by-step technical instruction.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Clear presentation of original research that substantiates the existence of a gendered digital divide.
• Thoughtful application of social psychological theories to explain environmental causes and consequences.
• Concrete recommendations that span family, classroom, and institutional levels, making the work useful for policy discussion.

Cons

• The book emphasizes research and theory over practical step-by-step classroom activities, so practitioners seeking immediate lesson plans may find it limited.

Specifications

Title	Gender and Computers
Authors	Joel Cooper, Kimberlee D. Weaver
Main focus	Understanding the digital divide affecting girls and young women
Approach	Original research and synthesis of recent scholarly work
Theoretical basis	Social psychological theories and data
Recommendations cover	Family dynamics, teacher-student interactions, school organization

Our Verdict

Gender and Computers is a well-documented, theory-informed work that deserves attention from anyone shaping educational practice or policy. Those who value evidence-based analysis and cross-level remedies will find it good value for its contribution to understanding and addressing the gendered gaps in access and learning in information technology.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book include original research?
Yes. The authors present their original research alongside recently published studies by other scholars to document the digital divide.

Are there practical solutions in the book?
Yes. The book proposes remedies ranging from family and classroom strategies to questions about the gender organization of schools and systems.

Is this a how-to guide for teaching computers?
No. The emphasis is on theory, data, and institutional recommendations rather than step-by-step technical lessons.