How do you get girls into IT? Take boys out of the classroom

Possible solution to combat gender imbalance in IT could be separating boys and girls at school

As the gender imbalance in IT shows no sign of disappearing, high profile lobby group Women in Technology has suggested that schools should consider running separate IT classes for boys and girls to combat the problem.

This follows a recent Computing poll that indicated that entrenched attitudes towards women in the IT department are still prevalent.

Maggie Berry, from Women in Technology, wrote in a blog post on the issue: "What were your IT classes like at school? Filled with enthusiastic boys eager to learn in comparison to the girls who were not interested, or rather, seen to be uninterested? The general stereotype is that IT classes are for geeky boys interested in computer games."

She goes on to say that one teacher she knew who was concerned about the lack of women in technology, decided to separate his classes into girl- and boy-only lessons. This saw the girls' interest increase considerably.

"[To address the problem of gender imbalance] it should be tackled at school where children begin to take an interest in different subjects which they will go on to pursue later in life, and ultimately as a profession."

And in line with the concerns addressed by Berry's blog post, one worldwide forum will run an event to connect professional women and students for virtual and in-person discussions about education and careers in engineering and technology.

The Global Marathon For, By and About Women in Engineering and Technology is an annual worldwide event that will tour the world in March 2011, aimed at connecting women across a range of disciplines, experience levels, ages, interests, backgrounds, cultures, industries and employers.

Individuals from corporations, universities, non-profit and community organisations will participate in real-time, live group events, webcasts, internet chats and teleconferences across six regions. The UK date is Saturday, March 12, 2011.