what you can do! far north ict educator conference november 2, 2013 increasing ict student diversity
TRANSCRIPT
What YOU Can Do!
Far North ICT Educator Conference
November 2, 2013
Increasing ICT Student Diversity
Why it Matters
The face of ICT is White and Asian Male – 40% of the population
The majority of CC student bodies in CA are made up of racial minorities, immigrants, and low-income students
Underrepresented populations in ICT education and the workforce continue to decline
CCC ICT Enrollment
Between 2008/09 and 2010/11 Latino students up 2% Black students down
4% Native American down
39% Female students down
3%
MPICT (2012) California Community College ICT Student Enrollment and Demographics: A Study of Enrollments and Demographics Related to Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) In California Community Colleges 2008/09 –2010/11
Not Just an ICT Issue
RP Group CTE Employment Outcomes Survey CC skill-builder success
story Based on Peter Bahr
research, a disappointing for diversity
Why do they leave? Skill- or course-specific
attrition that escalates
ICT is Hard Enough Already!
For most, ICT education is hard work and susceptible to distractions, low self-esteem, and discouragement
Add life experiences, culture, limited exposure, stereotype threat
Those that succeed have the “grit” fueled by a personal vision or goal
Barriers to Access and Success
Financial strain, a lack of connection to diverse role models, and limited information on ICT roles and pathways
Lack the confidence and perception that ICT is a viable career goal
Blacks and Latinos in underserved, low-income communities are not as digitally literate as their counterparts in other better-served, middle-class communities
Lack of access to role models and teachers in ICT that reflect students’ own cultural backgrounds
Why does it take “grit”
and perseverance?
“The only way we can ensure that kids who have different backgrounds, learning styles, and experiences get an equal educational opportunity is if they have teachers who know how to teach content well and how to reach diverse learners.”
Linda Darling-HammondCharles E. Ducommun Professor of Education at the
Stanford Graduate School of Education
What You Can Do
Use perspective-taking
Be more self-aware
Be curious
Mine for the reason they are there
Empathy as Perspective Taking
Empathy defined – identification with and understanding of another’s situation, feelings, and motives
Perspective taking – stepping into another’s worldview; understanding their beliefs, fears, experiences that shape how they view the world and themselves
Empathy as Humanizing
Our assumptions and prejudices block us from seeing the uniqueness and individuality of others
Highly empathic people get beyond labels by nurturing a curiosity about others
Assumptions and prejudices dehumanize; empathy creates a humanizing connection
Empathy is learned with time and experience connecting with others.
Find a Passion
Perseverance comes from setting goals that are linked to a vision or passion
Obstacles and barriers are less distracting and deterring
Perseverance and persistence gives one grit, defined as “maintaining an interest in goals despite obstacles, adversity or failure.”
Questions to Consider
How do you make humanizing connections with each of your students?
How do you "humanize” yourself in order to project that connection to students?
Is your approach empathic to the student's community, culture and perspective?
How do you help a student connect a goal to a passion, whatever it is?
Opportunities Tap into the diverse majority
Close the gap between the supply of ICT professionals produced by the educational system and industry demands.
Improve the quality of life for individuals who have traditionally been overlooked
Tools and Resources
MPICT Diversity Resources including a Toolkit, Link to a Community of Practice, other Resources See ICT Educator Resources for Improving Diversity in ICT
at mpict.org
ICT Demographic Study http://mpict.org/pdf/
CCC_ICT_Enrollments_and_Demographics_12-31-12.pdf
Career Ladders Project’s Diversity in California ICT Workforce and Education Study, to be released late Fall 2013
Toolkit Structure
Overview of the diversity-in-ICT landscape
Making a case for and facilitating change
Strategies and tools for achieving broad or specific diversity goals
How users can contribute and stay current on new practices, current data, and innovative thought
Making the Case for Change
Assess your situation
Set goals
Raise awareness
Facilitate change
General Strategies, Practices & Tools
Raising awareness
Outreach, recruitment and preparation
Engaging and retention-focused curriculum
Pedagogy and faculty development
Mentoring and role-modeling
Bridge programs
Focused Strategies & Tools
Women students
Students of color
Students with disabilities
Gaps
Black and Latino students Career Ladders Project
study
Scarce research on the root causes
Few supporting organizations
Closing the Gap: Community
