Computer Studies & Technology

Bridging the Gender Gap in Computer-Related Fields

Girls and women continue to be under-represented in technology-related fields. Our program gives girls the encouragement, motivation, and skills needed to pursue opportunities in these areas.

From the earliest grades, Linden girls are taught to use technology in safe, ethical, and creative ways, and are encouraged to view themselves as producers of technology, not just consumers or end users. Therefore, girls learn programming skills in each grade. We begin with the basic logic that explains how computers “think,” and progress toward creating programs using fun and friendly interfaces that allow girls to build code using graphic tiles, and finally work toward text-based code (such as the Python language) in the middle years.

Media literacy is an important part of the computer studies program. Integrated with topics in Health, English, and Social Studies, our program asks girls to consider how and why digital media affects the lives of girls and women around the world. Our students become critical viewers of the media they observe online. They also learn to use a variety of digital tools to express their own voices, including word processing software, design and layout tools, spreadsheets, slideshows, audio-editing software, and movie-making programs.

As their age and experience progresses, girls discuss how to interact with social media in healthy and ethical ways, and learn to manage their digital lives (such as passwords and files) to develop good habits. Keyboarding skills that allow girls to type and use the mouse and other peripheral devices in healthy and efficient ways are also important parts of the program. The program is ever-evolving based on new technology, current events, and the interests of our students.

Linden also offers a weekly Programming Club, where girls mentor each other as they acquire new technological skills. The Club focuses on electronics, robotics, and programming on both graphics and text-based platforms.