Computer Science

Recruiting Girls Into Your Class

In many schools, computer courses are electives. This means they must compete with other classes that may be perceived as more fun. Here are some ideas for overcoming this problem:
 

• Individually invite girls into your class. Telling a girl, "I think you would be good at this class. I'd like to have you enroll" can be very motivational.
   
  
• Encourage girls who have enrolled to invite their friends. Classes are always more fun when you have friends! This also avoids the problem of tokenism.
   
  
• Promote the fun outcomes of the course. Print out graphics modified by the students, publicize student websites in the school newspaper, link student-created animations off the school website, or have an expo where other students can play with the projects created by your current class. Research shows that girls are particularly excited by projects that people not in the class will think are neat.
   
  
• Ask other teachers to do promotion for you. Math teachers can be particularly effective partners if they are willing to encourage their students to take your class.
   
  
• Be excited yourself! The class is more likely to have a reputation of being fun if you like it!